[Value of oncologic follow-up of patients operated for colorectal cancer. A prospective study of 1000 patients].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of our prospective study was to evaluate the contribution of follow-up in resected colorectal cancer.


METHODS
One-thousand patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma who underwent radial resection from January 1975 to January 1990 were prospectively divided into two groups: the first group (n = 442, 42%) entered a 5-year follow-up protocol and the second group (n = 558, 56%) was free to make unscheduled visits in case of symptoms.


RESULTS
Recurrence was found in 31.5% of the patients in the first group compared with 33% in the second group. Chorioembryonic antigen was the most accurate test detecting recurrence: 77% of the cases (97% for hepatic metastasis). Surgical resection of recurrent tumors was performed in 37% of the group 1 patients (curative resection in 15%) and in 9% (curative resection in 1.5%) of the group 2 patients (p < 0.001). 5-year survival after recurrence in group 1 was 11.5% versus 1% in group 2 (p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
These results emphasize the rational for a follow-up program in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer.
Arnaud
J P
JP
Service de Chirurgie Viscérale, C.H.U. d'Angers.
Cervi
C
C
Bergamaschi
R
R
Tuech
J J
JJ
D000206:Actuarial Analysis; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000601:surgery; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen