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Updated: May 8, 2025

Robot-assisted Total Mesorectal Excision and Lateral Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection for Locally Advanced Middle-low Rectal Cancer
Published on: February 12, 2022
Early Detection of Local Recurrence After Rectal Cancer Resection in Asymptomatic Patients Is Essential for Survival
Katharina Esswein1, Eva Hummer1, Marijana Ninkovic1
1Department of Visceral, Transplant, and Thoracic Surgery, Center of Operative Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Background And Objectives:
Despite advancements in rectal cancer treatment, therapy of local recurrence remains a significant challenge as it has to be individualized to the extent of recurrence and prior treatment. This study aims to analyze outcomes of patients with local recurrence after resection for rectal cancer, focusing on R0-resection rates and overall survival (OS).
Methods:
A retrospective cohort study included 31 patients with local recurrence after initial curative resection for rectal cancer between 2003 and 2021.
Results:
Recurrence was diagnosed in 77.4% of cases during scheduled routine follow-up and 58,1% of patients reported of symptoms at the time of diagnosis. Symptomatic patients tended to be treated palliatively (66.7%, 12/18, p = 0.073). A curative treatment approach was intended in 48.4% of all patients, with 80% achieving R0-resection by surgery. The 5-year OS was significantly longer in patients achieving R0-resection (58.3% vs. 5.3%, p = 0.0) and decreased in symptomatic patients (11.1% vs. 46.2%, p = 0.025).
Conclusions:
These findings emphasize the importance of early recurrence detection, optimally in a scheduled cancer follow-up.
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