Study: Cancer Location in Colon Not a Factor in Recurrence

Cleveland Clinic researchers report that the location of cancer in the colon does not appear to be a factor in whether the cancer subsequently recurs after it has been surgically removed.

The researchers reported in the journal Diseases of the Colon and Rectum on their analysis 1,031 patients who had surgical removal of a localized colon cancer between 1980 and 1993. The patients were followed for at least five years or until death.

Local recurrences of colon cancer occurred in only 32 of the patients (3.1 percent) with the median time to recurrence being 13 months, the researchers reported.

"The location of the primary tumor was not a factor in producing local recurrence," the researchers reported.

While advanced tumor stage was linked to a higher risk of recurrence, the researchers said none of the colon cancers caught at an early stage or that were well differentiated at the time of surgery recurred locally.

Other Sources: Diseases of the Colon and Rectum