The value of follow-up after curative surgery of colorectal carcinoma

Between 1978 and 1989, 1045 of 1399 patients (580 male and 474 female) had undergone curative surgery for colorectal carcinoma. Of these patients, 350 (33%) had recurrences, another 16 (1.5%) developed a metachronous colorectal cancer, and 23 (2%) had cancers of other organs. An isolated locoregional recurrence was found in 75 of 350 (21%). The remaining 275 of 350 (79%) of the patients showed systemic dissemination of the carcinoma. Reoperations with curative intent were performed on 56 of 350 (16%) of the patients. Only 21 of the 56 resected patients (38%), i.e., 21 of 350 (6%), are without recurrence at the end of the follow-up period on December 31, 1990. Despite a curative reoperation, 62% of the patients again developed recurrent growths. There is an imbalance of the efforts invested in tumor follow-up and the benefits gained. Further follow-up programs should be investigated in a controlled, prospective fashion.