Follow-up of patients treated by cytoreduction and chemotherapy for peritoneal carcinomatosis of colorectal origin.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the value of medical history and physical examination, tumour marker testing, and CT-scanning in the follow-up of patients treated for peritoneal carcinomatosis of colorectal origin.


METHODS
Between November 1995 and June 2003, 107 patients were treated by cytoreduction and hyperthermic intra-peritoneal chemotherapy. The treatment was considered effective if residual tumour after cytoreduction was no thicker than 2.5 mm. The follow-up consisted of history, physical examination, serum CEA and CA 19.9 testing three-monthly, and CT-scanning of the abdomen six-monthly. Location of the recurrence was categorized into intra-abdominal, hepatic, thoracic, and both intra-abdominal and systemic. The investigation that led to the detection of a recurrence was ranked according to its invasiveness and costs. The simplest investigation that could have led to the detection was marked.


RESULTS
A recurrence developed in 63 patients of the 74 patients effective initial treatment during the study period. Physical examination revealed the recurrence in 38 patients, at least one of the markers was raised above normal value in 39 patients and in 37 patients the CT-scan showed the recurrence. History and physical examination could have triggered the finding of a recurrence in 38 patients, tumour markers in 21 patients and CT-scanning in only three of the 74 recurrences.


CONCLUSIONS
Physical examination and tumour marker testing detect most recurrences. CT-scanning is not an effective tool in the follow-up, and should be reserved for on-demand use.
Verwaal
V J
VJ
Department of Surgery, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands. v.verwaal@nki.nl
Zoetmulder
F A N
FA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001063:Appendiceal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen / Q000097:blood; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000097:blood; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000379:methods; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary; D010808:Physical Examination; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen