THE POSTOPERATIVE FOLLOW-UP OF PATIENT WI TH COLORECTAL-CARCINOMA AFTER RO-RESECTION 1980-1990

Out of 602 Ro-resected patients with colorectal carcinoma 558 patients had follow-up observation for at least 5 years. In 61% (n = 340) the follow-up was uneventful, 31% (n = 172) had progression of the primary carcinoma. Progression of the primary disease occurs in all stages of pTNM. The higher the staging the higher is the recurrence rate. The d ifference of the recurrence rates is significant in all stages. Regard ing the equal stages in the groups having regular follow-up and irregu lar follow-up the curability of follow-up events in the group with irr egular follow-up is much lower than in the other group. Adjuvant thera pies with chemo- or radiotherapy are recommended to reduce the recurre nce rate. In order to economise the financial ressources the follow-up programs should be adapted to the progression rate. The postoperative follow-up documentation for all patients should be indispensable in e very hospital.