Cancer may recur in the colon or any part of the body, including the liver or lungs. Unfortunately, those who have a recurrence will usually die of cancer.
Treatment for recurrent colon cancer is essentially the same as for Stage IV, although therapy also depends on the site of the recurrence.
• When there is only one area of recurrence such as the liver or lung and surgery is possible, the lesion should be
removed to increase the chance of cure or prolong survival.
• Occasionally, the cancer will come back only where sections of the bowel have been sewn together. These local
suture line recurrences can be removed with a reasonable chance for cure.
• Chemotherapy with single drugs (10 to 20 percent response), combinations (30 to 40 percent response) or
investigational drugs have been used for palliation.
• Trials involving the administration of the drugs into an artery with implantable infusion pumps and access
devices have been conducted for recurrence in the liver.
Investigational
• Recent chemotherapy programs show an improved response rate and may improve survival. Promising
