title: Prognostic indicators of local recurrence in patients operated for rectal cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify subgroups of patients at high risk of local relapse after curative surgery for rectal cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-five variables of 216 patients observed from January 1987 to December 1995 were retrospectively analyzed according to univariate and multivariate methods. Median follow-up was 38 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  High and moderate grade (P = 0.0001), Size > or = 5 cm (P = 0.013), lymph nodes involvement (P = 0.002) and patients with locally advanced rectal cancer underwent extensive surgery and postoperative radiation significantly increased local relapse; whereas surgical procedure and experience of surgeons had no influence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The above-mentioned prognostic factors of rectal cancer that show a risk of local relapse 2- to 3.5-times higher than comparative conditions could be useful in identifying subgroups of patients at high risk for local recurrence. These patients should undergo a careful selection according to risk factors of relapse in order to increase local control of disease performing "optimal" primary surgery, effective postoperative radiation and tailored follow-up.
authors.affiliation: DICMI, Sezione di Semeiotica Chirurgica I, University of Genoa School of Medicine, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Secco
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ravera
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bonfante
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gianquinto
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Baldi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Canaletti
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ferraris
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D000368:Aged; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D012306:Risk