Local recurrence of colo-rectal cancer: Risk factors and preventive measures

Abstract The local recurrence of colo-rectal cancer, still represents the major reason for the failure of surgical treatment. Several risk-factors of recurrence can be identified and grouped in categories according to different criteria (anatomo-clinical histopathological, biological, technical). Some of them represent undoubtedly proved risk factors of local recurrence, such as advanced stage, distal location, DNA abnormalities, lymphovascular invasion, whereas others are still under investigations (immunology of the tumor, oncogenes, antigens, role of mesorectal excision, pelvic-lymphoadenectomy etc). The identification of risk factors of local recurrence in colo-rectal cancer is of utmost importance since relevant technological innovations in the field of surgical treatment (TEM, laparoscopy) and adjuvant treatment (intra-cavitary radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy etc) need a precise evaluation of the patients to be applied successfully.