[Incidence and prognosis of metastases in colonic and rectal carcinomas]

In colorectal carcinoma at the time of primary operation a much higher rate of occult micrometastases in the liver is to take in account as it is evident by the frequency of intraoperative found metastases (10--20%. Micrometastases likely can to need 3 to 8 years till they have increased so that the finally stage of generalization is to state. The survival rate of patients with colorectal carcinoma and hepatic metastases -- without therapy of metastases -- is 6 to 8 months and not differs from the survival rate of these patients whose primary tumor was inoperable by local reason. The today usual diagnostic procedures in the postoperative follow up control are able to detect liver metastases in most cases only in an inopportune stage for therapy. Probably the analysis of carcinoembryonic antigen is a progress in this question. The unique chance to block up or eliminate the frequently suspected micrometastases seems to be the general use of a post-operative adjuvant chemotherapy.