Seminars in surgical oncology
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Second-look surgery for recurrent colorectal carcinoma has been advocated for over four decades. Routine follow-up procedures gave way to clinically directed or carcinoembryonic (CEA)-directed procedures in the mid-1970's. ⋯ Without effective systemic therapy, "palliative" or "debulking" procedures probably do not increase survival. The most likely candidates for such a curative approach with second-look surgery are those with isolated liver, pulmonary, and, less frequently, regional recurrences.