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An intensive follow-up for patients after curative resection of colorectal cancer is not necessary
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Abstract
Present recommendations prepared by various scientific societies support intensive follow-up in colorectal cancer patients. These recommendations are based on the results of meta-analyses showing that intensive follow-up improves overall survival. Thus, the assumption that this survival gain could be attributable to the early detection of relapses and more effective local treatment seems to be reasonable. However, intensive follow-up does not prolong survival even in very high-risk patients such as patients after curative resection of liver metastases. Moreover, in meta-analyses, cancer-specific survival was not prolonged. It means that reduction of mortality is due to other reasons than intensive follow-up. There is a good opportunity to promote a healthy lifestyle during regular follow-up visits. There are many studies showing improvement of survival after modification of diet, promoting physical activity or cessation of smoking. There are no data allowing us to propose the optimal strategy for intensive follow-up and in addition, the value of specific diagnostic tests is not established.
Abstract
Present recommendations prepared by various scientific societies support intensive follow-up in colorectal cancer patients. These recommendations are based on the results of meta-analyses showing that intensive follow-up improves overall survival. Thus, the assumption that this survival gain could be attributable to the early detection of relapses and more effective local treatment seems to be reasonable. However, intensive follow-up does not prolong survival even in very high-risk patients such as patients after curative resection of liver metastases. Moreover, in meta-analyses, cancer-specific survival was not prolonged. It means that reduction of mortality is due to other reasons than intensive follow-up. There is a good opportunity to promote a healthy lifestyle during regular follow-up visits. There are many studies showing improvement of survival after modification of diet, promoting physical activity or cessation of smoking. There are no data allowing us to propose the optimal strategy for intensive follow-up and in addition, the value of specific diagnostic tests is not established.
About this articleTitle
An intensive follow-up for patients after curative resection of colorectal cancer is not necessary
Journal
Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology
Issue
Pages
415-419
Published online
2015-11-18
Page views
738
Article views/downloads
1487
DOI
10.5603/NJO.2015.0080
Bibliographic record
Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology 2015;65(5):415-419.
Authors
Piotr Potemski