The follow-up of patients following surgery for colorectal cancer--a personal view.

Few patients are cured of colorectal cancer at their original surgery (5-year survival steady at about 42%). Early tumours metastasize and local recurrence is only local in 10% of patients. There is no prospective controlled data relating to the aggressive treatment of liver metastases and metachronous tumours suitable for re-operation or operation for "cure" occur in less than 1% of patients. Less than 3% of patients diagnosed at follow up are suitable for re-operation for "cure". There is little evidence to justify the general follow up of all patients following resection for colorectal cancer. A limited colonscopic follow up of patients after resection of Duke's stage A and B lesions may be justified.