Almost all five year disease free survivors are cured following rectal cancer surgery, but longer term follow‐up detects some late local and systemic recurrences

Abstract

This long-term surveillance of patients undergoing curative surgery for rectal cancer demonstrates that most local and systemic recurrences occur within 5 years. Almost half occurred more than 2 years after surgery. However, those centres wishing to set standards of care, or evaluate current or new therapies in rectal cancer treatment, should be aware that unexpected late recurrences occasionally develop.