title: Postherapeutic follow-up of colorectal cancer patients treated with curative intent.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Based on published data showing that despite a curative intent treatment approximately 50% of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients will present with disease relapse, and on the results of meta-analysis which showed improved survival by using intense posttreatment follow-up programs, we aimed in the present study to evaluate the additional benefit of routine abdominal ultrasound in the follow-up program of CRC patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a prospective study, on 107 patients diagnosed with stage III CRC. Patients follow-up included: history and physical examination, CEA determination, and abdomino-pelvic US every 3 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Recurrent disease was observed in 36% of cases after a median follow-up interval of 24 months. The liver was the most frequent isolated site of disease recurrence (62%). Serum CEA level increased in most patients (69%) with recurrent disease. Also, a high percentage of relapses was diagnosed by routine abdominal US (62%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study illustrates the benefit of intense follow-up (CEA, abdominal US) after curative treatment of CRC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Emergency Clinical Hospital of Constanta, Ovidius University of Constanţa, Romania. lauragrigorov@gmail.com
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mazilu
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ciufu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gălan
authors.forename: A I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Suceveanu
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Suceveanu
authors.forename: I R
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Parepa
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tofolean
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000097:blood; D003082:Colectomy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012086:Reoperation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen