Fig. 4

Progression-free survival and disease-specific overall survival. We compared the referred patients based on the presence or absence of residual tumor at re-excision. We did so using a log-rank test for the following items: a Recurrence-free survival: Time was significantly shorter in cases where residual tumor existed (p < 0.05). [Five-year recurrence-free survival (±standard error): 83 ± 6 % without residual tumor at re-excision; 63 ± 8 % with residual tumor]. b Metastasis-free survival: No significant difference (p = 0.127). [Five-year metastasis-free survival (±standard error): 90 ± 4.5 % without residual tumor at re-excision; 76.6 ± 6.7 % with residual tumor]. c Disease-specific overall survival: Groups were comparable (p = 0.137). [Five-year disease-specific survival (±standard error): 92.9 ± 3.9 % without residual tumor at re-excision; 81.4 ± 6.1 % with residual tumor]