[The problem of recurrence in colonic cancer]

In this study the incidence of recurrence in radical procedure for carcinoma of colon is more than 37.4%. Of 100 patients undergoing second laparotomy because of recurrence 33% could be resected curatively. The rate of recurrence was independent on sex, negatively correlated with age and positively correlated with tumor stage of former operations. Curative operations located at the ascending colon and hepatic flexure had less recurrences than others. Second operations in curative aims were twice as successful in men than in woman and equally possible in all decades. Results of recurrences of splenic flexure and transverse colon were better than other locations. Tumors of early stages relapsed later. The probability of a radical procedure in recurrence related operations was better in those cases with a long recurrence-free interval. The resectability +/- rate and tumor stage of second-look operation were depending on tumor stage in the first operation. This means further history of tumor disease is determined closely by tumor stage in the first operation.