The follow-up of patients following surgery for colorectal cancer--a personal view.
Few patients are cured of colorectal cancer at their original surgery (5-year survival steady at about 42%). Early tumours metastasize and local recurrence is only local in 10% of patients. There is no prospective controlled data relating to the aggressive treatment of liver metastases and metachronous tumours suitable for re-operation or operation for "cure" occur in less than 1% of patients. Less than 3% of patients diagnosed at follow up are suitable for re-operation for "cure". There is little evidence to justify the general follow up of all patients following resection for colorectal cancer. A limited colonscopic follow up of patients after resection of Duke's stage A and B lesions may be justified.
Isbister
W H
WH
Department of Surgery, Wellington School of Medicine, New Zealand.
D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009520:New Zealand; D012086:Reoperation; D012846:Singapore; D014481:United States