Table 2

Characteristics of Patients With Symptomatic vs Asymptomatic Recurrences

CharacteristicsAll Patients With Recurrences n = 74Patients With Symptomatic Recurrences n = 28Patients With Asymptomatic Recurrences n = 46P Value
Age, median (range), y69 (43–88)68 (46–88)70 (43–86).48
Tumor stage at diagnosis, No. (%)
 Stage I5 (6.8)1 (3.6)4 (8.7).64
 Stage II27 (36.5)11 (39.3)16 (34.8).70
 Stage III42 (56.8)16 (57.1)26 (56.5).96
Primary tumor location, No. (%)
 Right colon, including hepatic flexure29 (39.2)14 (50)15 (32.6).14
 Transverse colon3 (4.1)1 (3.6)2 (4.3)>.99
 Left colon, including splenic flexure and rectosigmoid colon42 (56.8)13 (46.4)29 (63).16
 More than 1 location4 (5.4)2 (7.1)2 (4.3).63
Time to recurrence detection, median (range), mo13.7 (2–48)13.7 (4–46)13.7 (2–48).58
Type of visit where recurrence was detected, No. (%)
 Scheduled follow-up43 (58.1)2 (7.1)41 (89.1)<.001
 Interval visit31 (41.9)26 (92.9)5 (10.9)<.001
Recurrence location, No. (%)
 Liver29 (39.1)7 (25)22 (47.8).05
 Peritoneum19 (25.7)9 (32.1)10 (21.7).12
 Lung18 (24.3)8 (28.6)9 (19.6).22
 Local19 (25.7)7 (25)12 (26.1).65
 Second primary (metachronous) colorectal tumor9 (12.2)2 (7.1)7 (15.2).30
 Anastomosis10 (13.5)5 (17.9)5 (10.9).39
 Lymph nodes17 (23)12 (42.9)5 (10.9).002
 More than 1 location26 (35.1)16 (57.1)10 (21.7).002
  • Note: Percentages are calculated within the group of recurrences; eg, total, symptomatic, or asymptomatic (n = 74, n = 28 and n = 46 respectively).