Follow-up and recurrence of T1 colorectal cancer

Abstract

This study was performed to clarify the clinical and pathological characteristics of T1 colorectal cancer. From 1987 to 2003, a total of 223 patients with T1 colorectal cancer were treated at our institute. Disease recurrence occurred in eight (3%) of these cases. The original sites of cancer were the ascending colon (n = 1), sigmoid colon (n = 2), and rectum (n = 5). We performed three local resections per anus and five bowel resections with lymph node dissection. In cases showing recurrence after resection, lymph node metastasis was observed more frequently {four of five cases; 80%) compared with the cases showing no recurrence (11%). The average recurrence time was <36 months in seven of the eight cases (88%). Local recurrence occurred in five of the eight cases (63%). We conclude that careful follow-up is necessary in cases of T1 colorectal cancer in the first 3 years after treatment.