We analyzed retrospectively the long term survival and recurrence of 400 patients with colorectal cancer operated in a period of 13 years. Kaplan Meier curves were used for survival analysis and Cox's regression for multivariate analysis. Ninety eight percent of 377 surviving patients were followed for a mean period of 34 +/- 36 months (range 12-156). Global recurrence was 32% and higher for rectal than colon cancer. Sixty five percent of recurrences were distant. The main prognostic parameter for recurrence was peritumoral lymph node involvement. The initial tumoral stage was the main prognostic factor for survival. Five years survival probability was 94,4% in stage A, 81,3% in stage B, 63,8% in stage C1, 41,3% in stage C2 and 3,1% in stage D. Preoperative radiation therapy did not improve survival or recurrence. Pastoperative radiation therapy prolonged the lapse between surgery and recurrence, without changing overall survival. The prolonged survival of some patients in stage D justifies palliative surgery in this stage.