Predictive factors of early relapse in UICC stage I–III colorectal cancer patients after curative resection

Abstract

This study suggests that vascular invasion, perineural invasion, and postoperative CEA level may be significant factors for postoperative early relapse of colon cancer; while only perineural invasion is considered to be a significant predictor in rectal cancer patients. Identification of these high-risk UICC stage I-III CRC patients of early relapse is important, and thus could help to define patients with this tumor entity for an enhanced follow-up and therapeutic program.