title: Reoperation for colorectal cancer.
abstract: In a retrospective study, the results of reoperation for colorectal cancer were evaluated in 43 consecutive cases. The overall postoperative mortality was 9% and the morbidity 47%. The mean survival time was 20 +/- 23 months, median 14 months. The postoperative symptom-free period was 12 +/- 25 months and the cumulative 5-year survival rate 9 +/- 5%. Mortality was 20% after enterostomy and 13% after resection, but nil after bypass procedures or exploratory laparotomy. Resection gave significantly better survival figures than the other procedures. After radical resection, mean and median survival times (56 +/- 35 and 48 months) and postoperative symptom-free period (54 +/- 35 months) were significantly prolonged. Spread of recurrent tumour correlated well with survival time, the means for regional and distant recurrence being, respectively, 27 +/- 29 and 11 +/- 10 months. The authors conclude that for these patients resection offers the best outlook as regards survival. With other procedures palliation is briefer, without significant reduction of postoperative morbidity.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies