Prognostic indicators of local recurrence in patients operated for rectal cancer

Background/Aims: To identify subgroups of patients at high risk of local re lapse after curative surgery for rectal cancer. Methodology. Thirty-five variables of 216 patients observed from January 19 87 to December 1995 were retrospectively analyzed according to univariate a nd multivariate methods. Median follow-up was 38 months. Results: High and moderate grade (P = 0.0001), Size greater than or equal t o 5cm (P = 0.013), lymph nodes involvement (P = 0.002) and patients with lo cally advanced rectal cancer underwent extensive surgery and postoperative radiation significantly increased local relapse; whereas surgical procedure and experience of surgeons had no influence. Conclusions: The above-mentioned prognostic factors of rectal cancer that s how a risk of local relapse 2- to 3.5-times higher than comparative conditi ons could be useful in identifying subgroups of patients at high risk for l ocal recurrence. These patients should undergo a careful selection accordin g to risk factors of relapse in order to increase local control of disease performing "optimal" primary surgery, effective postoperative radiation and tailored follow-up.