Background: Few data are available from population-based statistics on the risk of local recurrence after surgery for rectal cancer. The aims of this study were to determine factors influencing local control and to analyse treatment and prognosis of recurrences in a well defined population.
Methods: Data were obtained from the cancer registry of the Côte d'Or (France). From 1976 to 1995, 682 patients resected for cure for a rectal carcinoma were included. Recurrence rates and survival rates were calculated using actuarial methods. A relative survival analysis and Cox multivariate analysis were performed.
Results: During the study 135 local recurrences were registered. The 5-year cumulative local recurrence rate was 22.7 per cent. In multivariate analysis the two variables significantly associated with local recurrence risk were stage at diagnosis and the macroscopic type of growth. There was a non-significant decrease in local recurrence rate in patients treated by preoperative radiotherapy compared with that in patients treated by surgery alone. The proportion of patients re-resected for cure was 25.2 per cent, and increased from 13.0 per cent in 1976-1985 to 37.9 per cent in 1986-1995 (P = 0.001). The 5-year relative survival rate was 13.6 per cent overall and 40.6 per cent after resection for cure (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: Local recurrence of rectal cancer following resection remains a substantial problem. Improvement can be expected from better care and earlier diagnosis.