Surgical trauma and peritoneal recurrence of colorectal carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Local peritoneal recurrence is a relatively common complication after intentionally curative surgery for colorectal cancer and has unfavourable prognosis.


METHODS
This manuscript reviews the relevant experimental and clinical literature on surgical trauma and development of local recurrences, which was obtained by extensive search in the PubMed database.


CONCLUSIONS
Although surgery is required as the only option for treatment, operative trauma and subsequent wound healing promote development of local recurrences. Minimizing peritoneal trauma reduces local tumour outgrowth in animal models, but clinical trials have not been conclusive so far. Recognition of the increased susceptibility to tumour establishment in the early post-operative phase challenges the aim for further research, targeting at strategies that obstruct local tumour implantation or outgrowth and/or improve (local) anti-tumour response.
Oosterling
S J
SJ
Department of Surgical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, P.O. Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
van der Bij
G J
GJ
van Egmond
M
M
van der Sijp
J R M
JR
D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology*; D009366:Neoplasm Seeding; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000473:pathology*; D014945:Wound Healing