[Colorectal carcinoma--clinical and radiologic problems of aftercare]

Aftercare following surgery of colorectal tumours aims mainly at early detection of a relapse for the purpose of curative re-intervention. Improvement of diagnostic possibilities, especially by means of tumour markers, flexible endoscopy, computed tomography, magnetic resonance and ultrasound, increased the efficacy of aftercare; however, diagnosis of tumour recurrence has always been too late to perform repeated surgery with the expected measure of success. In relation to all cases of failure of therapy, the proportion of potentially curative re-interventions was about 10%. Whereas operations at the frame of the colon are practically free from a specific therapeutic co-morbidity, problems of continence may be expected in deep rectal surgery; especially after extirpation of the rectum, we can expect stoma problems and urogenital complaints as well as difficulties with the rectal excision wound. In case of adjuvant radiotherapy there may be irradiation sequels such as adhesion difficulties or radiogenic proctitis. The occurrence of metachronous secondary tumours is a special aspect of colorectal carcinomas, so that aftercare always includes prevention as well. Further aftercare measures follow from the context of psychosocial rehabilitation. Principally it is possible to achieve the ideal goal of complete reinstatement in the family, in society and in professional life after colorectal cancer surgery.