[Systematic monitoring of the postoperative rectum]

This study concerns the detection and treatment of recurrence after operation for colo-rectal cancer. The recurrences were classified as being in the suture line, peri-colonic, pelvic or distant metastasis. The factors which determine the appearance of recurrence depend on the tumour (development of the tumour and degree of anaplasia), the surgical technique (removal of the metastatic pathway and techniques intended to prevent the implantation of migrating tumour cells) and the patient (age, immunological factors, etc.). Our survey for the detection of recurrence consists of history and clinical examination of the patient, colonoscopy, carcino-embryonic antigen, routine laboratory tests, liver scan and/or ultrasonography, chest X-ray computerised tomography and, in a few special cases, lymphography; arteriography, etc. This group of investigations constitutes a surveillance protocol which should be performed regularly. We present the results of 443 follow-up surveys in 100 patients operated for colorectal cancer.