Follow-Up & Prognosis

All patients with CRC should be followed up closely after curative treatment to ensure early identification and management of recurrence. [46][47][48]

• Patient history, physical examination, CEA level

  • Every 3–6 months for 2 years

  • Every 6 months for an additional 3 years

• CT chest/abdomen/pelvis: annually for 5 years

• Colonoscopy

  • 1 year after preoperative colonoscopy

  • Every 3–5 years in the further follow-up, depending on findings

• Proctoscopy/sigmoidoscopy

  • Recommended additional follow-up modality after the treatment of rectal cancer

  • Every 6–12 months for 3–5 years

  • May be supplemented with endorectal ultrasound

• Recommended duration of close follow-up: 5 years following the completion of curative treatment

• 1 year after preoperative colonoscopy

• Every 3–5 years in the further follow-up, depending on findings

• Five-year survival rate

  • Localized disease: 90%

  • Regional spread: 72%

  • Distant metastases: 14%

  • All stages combined: 65%