SIGNIFICANCE OF COLONOSCOPIC FOLLOW-UP AF TER COLORECTAL-CANCER RESECTION

The significance of colonoscopic follow up is discussed controversely. Colonoscopy after resection of colorectal cancer offers the possibili ty of direct inspection and to take biopsies for the early detection o f local recurrence or additional neoplasms. In a retrospective study w e examined the benefit of regular colonoscopies. Between 1/1995 and 4/ 1996 237 colonoscopies were performed on 164 patients: after resection of colorectal cancer. The evaluation was done due to the stage of the primary tumor, the age of the patients, the time after operation and the number of previous colonoscopies. 54 adenomas were found in 35 of 164 patients. 32 % of the adenomas were diagnosed in the ascending col on or colon transversum. Additionally three carcinomas were found. The re were euro local recurrences and one metachronous neoplasm. Two pati ents were diagnosed without clinical symptoms and were able to undergo potential curative resection again. Because of the number and the loc alisation of diagnosed neoplasms colonoscopic surveillance should be p erformed every six months in the first two years after resection of co lorectal cancer.