title: Surveillance after colorectal cancer surgery.
abstract: Early diagnosis of local and distant recurrences of colorectal cancer remains difficult and there is no agreement on the effectiveness of follow-up in these patients. The aim of this study is to assess the value of our method of follow-up. We consider 239 patients with colorectal cancer and at least 2 years follow-up following radical resection. A local recurrence appeared in 26 patients (10.9%), a distant metastasis in 41 (17.1%), while in seven (2.9%) local and distant recurrences appeared simultaneously. Local recurrence was detected because of an increase in carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level in 15 patients (57.7%), during a scheduled endoscopy in four (15.4%) and because of symptoms in seven (26.9%). In seven patients (26.9%) a radical resection was possible. Distant metastases were detected by CEA levels in 20 patients (48.8%), by ultrasonography (U.S.) in 12 (29.3%) and by chest X-ray in five (12.2%). In 13 of 26 patients with liver metastases a resection was performed. This study shows that few patients benefit from follow-up and only CEA levels and liver U.S. performed intensively between 15 and 36 months after surgery are useful in early detection of recurrences. A modification of the follow-up to the single patient, according to the stage, location and grading of cancer, could improve the results, so lowering the costs of this expensive practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Salvo
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Razzetta
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arezzo
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Tassone
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bogliolo
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bruzzone
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mattioli
mesh_terms: D001466:Barium Sulfate; D003113:Colonoscopy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000601:surgery*; D004733:Enema; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009819:Office Visits; D011159:Population Surveillance; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D001466:Barium Sulfate