Positive circumferential resection margin linked to recurrence in rectal cancer

A study analyzed 682 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer, revealing that 6.9% experienced local recurrence post-neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and total mesorectal excision. Key risk factors identified included positive circumferential resection margin, venous invasion, and perineural invasion. Among those with recurrence, 53.2% were resectable, and 65.2% of those who underwent curative resection achieved R0 status. Superior five-year survival rates were associated with R0 resections, highlighting the need for careful surveillance of high-risk patients.