title: [Differential after care for early detection of recurrence: from the surgical viewpoint].
abstract: Tumor recurrence following "curative" resection (= R0) of gastrointestinal cancer occurs in 30% (colorectal carcinoma) to 70% (ductal pancreatic cancer) of patients. Only colorectal cancer recurrence involves a substantial chance of a reintervention which again may result in complete cancer clearance (local recurrence 17%, metachronous liver metastases 20%, other abdominal intracavitary relapse 12%, pulmonary secondaries 17%). Five-year survival after complete re-resection approaches 40% irrespectively of the site of recurrent disease. Recognition of resectable recurrence in asymptomatic patients is based on ultrasound, endoscopy, and chest X-ray. Laboratory investigations alone, and even CEA-screening, do not suffice.
authors.affiliation: Chirurgische Klinik mit Poliklinik, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Altendorf-Hofmann
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Scheele
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012086:Reoperation; D015996:Survival Rate