Han S, Yu LX, Zou HP, Miao YD, Lin SX. Computed tomography-dominant surveillance strategies for colorectal cancer: Improving early detection of recurrence. World J Gastrointest Surg 2025; 17(8): 107340 [DOI: 10.4240/wjgs.v17.i8.107340]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Si-Xiang Lin, Cancer Center, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, The Second Medical College of Binzhou Medical University, No. 717 Jinbu Street, Muping District, Yantai 264100, Shandong Province, China. ytlsx-33@163.com
Research Domain of This Article
Oncology
Article-Type of This Article
Letter to the Editor
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Gastrointest Surg. Aug 27, 2025; 17(8): 107340 Published online Aug 27, 2025. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v17.i8.107340
Computed tomography-dominant surveillance strategies for colorectal cancer: Improving early detection of recurrence
Shuang Han, Ling-Xia Yu, Hai-Peng Zou, Yan-Dong Miao, Si-Xiang Lin
Shuang Han, Ling-Xia Yu, Yan-Dong Miao, Si-Xiang Lin, Cancer Center, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, The Second Medical College of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264100, Shandong Province, China
Hai-Peng Zou, Department of Pharmacy, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, The Second Medical College of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264100, Shandong Province, China
Yan-Dong Miao, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Biomechanics, National Key Discipline of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Yantai 264100, Shandong Province, China
Yan-Dong Miao, Department of Oncology, Xinhui District People's Hospital, Jiangmen 529100, Guangdong Province, China
Yan-Dong Miao, Si-Xiang Lin, Research and Translational Center for Immunological Disorders, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264100, Shandong Province, China
Co-first authors: Shuang Han and Ling-Xia Yu.
Co-corresponding authors: Yan-Dong Miao and Si-Xiang Lin.
Author contributions: Han S and Yu LX performed the literature retrieval and wrote the manuscript, contributed equally to this work; Zou HP performed the data analysis. Miao YD and Lin SX were designated as co-corresponding authors; Miao YD was responsible for the evolution of overarching research goals and aims, specifically critical review, management and coordination responsibility for the research activity planning and execution, acquisition of the financial support for the project leading to this publication, while Lin SX was responsible for review and editing the draft, oversight, and leadership responsibility for the research activity planning and execution, including mentorship external to the core team; all authors approved the final manuscript.
Supported by Shandong Province Medical and Health Science and Technology Development Plan Project, No. 202203030713; and Science and Technology Program of Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, No. YTFY2022KYQD06.
Conflict-of-interest statement: No conflict of interest associated with any of the senior authors or other coauthors contributed their efforts to this manuscript.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Si-Xiang Lin, Cancer Center, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, The Second Medical College of Binzhou Medical University, No. 717 Jinbu Street, Muping District, Yantai 264100, Shandong Province, China. ytlsx-33@163.com
Received: March 21, 2025 Revised: May 2, 2025 Accepted: July 2, 2025 Published online: August 27, 2025 Processing time: 158 Days and 0.6 Hours
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent cancers globally, with a high recurrence rate following curative surgery, especially within the first 3 to 5 years. Post-surgical follow-up plays a vital role in detecting local and distant recurrences, significantly influencing survival rates. However, despite established guidelines recommending surveillance strategies, discrepancies persist regarding the optimal surveillance modality and patient adherence to follow protocols. Sala-Miquel et al’s study emphasize the superiority of computed tomography in detecting metastasis and recurrence, while also shedding light on the critical role of adherence to surveillance protocols in improving patient outcomes. This editorial discusses the implications of these findings for clinical practice, providing a comprehensive overview of the current landscape of CRC surveillance and the path forward for improving patient outcomes.
Core Tip: Early and effective surveillance is crucial for detecting recurrence in non-metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) patients’ post-surgery. While computed tomography scans remain the most effective diagnostic tool, combining them with tumor markers and colonoscopy offers a more comprehensive approach. Adherence to follow-up protocols is strongly linked to improved survival outcomes, underlining the importance of consistent patient engagement in post-surgical care. Personalized follow-up strategies, including the integration of advanced biomarkers and digital health tools, hold potential for optimizing CRC surveillance and improving patient outcomes.
