Cited 61 times since 1996 (2.2 per year) source: EuropePMC Diseases of the colon and rectum, Volume 39, Issue 3, 1 1 1996, Pages 323-328 Surgery for local recurrence of rectal carcinoma. Wiggers T, de Vries MR, Veeze-Kuypers B
Purpose
This study was designed to evaluate results, especially mortality and morbidity, of surgical resection with curative intent for patients with a local recurrence of rectal cancer, in combination with radiotherapy.
Methods
Consecutive medical records of 163 patients with local recurrence of rectal carcinoma after previous "curative" therapy for primary rectal cancer were reviewed. Although 35 patients had an exploratory laparotomy, only 27 had local recurrence amendable to resection (6 irresectable locoregional recurrences and 2 distant metastases found at laparotomy). Twenty-one patients received radiotherapy. There was no perioperative mortality. Median follow-up time was 42 (range, 22-92) months.
Results
Local recurrence occurred in 16 (59 percent) patients. Ten patients are alive, of whom nine have good local control. Estimated five-year survival (Kaplan-Meier) is 20 percent. Survival was significantly better in patients without a second recurrence, but radicality of the resection was not influential. Good local control could be obtained in 12 (44 percent) patients, and 1 patient is living with symptoms.
Conclusions
In selected patients with local recurrence of rectal carcinoma, reoperation with irradiation may result in good palliation and possibly cure.
