Recurrence patterns after curative resection of colorectal cancer in patients followed for a minimum of ten years.

Abstract

Surveillance for recurrences, particularly for relapses in the liver and lung, should be performed for at least 4 years in colon cancer patients. Patients with rectal cancer should be followed for a longer period than those with colon cancer, focusing on locoregional, liver and lung recurrence. It is particularly noteworthy that adjuvant chemotherapy may prolong the interval until recurrence and the interval until lung metastasis is relatively longer.