[Computer tomography in the diagnosis of recurrence of rectal and colonic cancer]

Computed tomography as a non-invasive X-ray method offers new possibilities for detecting and diagnosing recurrences after colorectal cancer surgery. By CT-examination we found recurrences in 77 patients who had undergone rectal surgery and in 4 patients who had colonic carcinomata. Diagnosing the extent of recurrences exactly will help in taking the appropriate therapeutic decision (surgery, irradiation). CT examination becomes mandatory after suspecting a recurrence (clinical symptoms, CEA level increase).