A histochemical method that predicts local recurrence after curative resection in carcinoma of the colon and rectum.

In an attempt to develop a method to predict local recurrence that may occur following radical resection for cure in patients with carcinoma of the colon and rectum, we have studied retrospectively the histochemical characteristics of mucins in 48 surgically resected specimens. This differential pattern of mucus production at the resection margin distinguished between the patients who had local recurrence develop and those who remained tumor free.