Colorectal cancer follow up

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:  Saarah T. Alkhairy, M.D.

## Overview[edit | edit source]

The aims of follow-up are to diagnose in the earliest possible stage any metastasis or tumors that develop later but did not originate from the original cancer (metachronous lesions)

## Follow-up[edit | edit source]

The aims of follow-up are to diagnose in the earliest possible stage any metastasis or tumors that develop later but did not originate from the original cancer (metachronous lesions).

The U.S. National Comprehensive Cancer Network and American Society of Clinical Oncology provide guidelines for the follow-up of colon cancer[1][2]:

* A medical history and physical examination are recommended every 3 to 6 months for 2 years, then every 6 months for 5 years

* Carcinoembryonic antigen blood level measurements are recommended every 3 to 6 months for 2 years, then every 6 months for 5 years, but are only advised for patients with T2 or greater lesions

* A CT-scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis can be considered annually for the first 3 years for patients who are at high risk of recurrence (for example, patients who had poorly differentiated tumors or venous or lymphatic invasion) and are candidates for curative surgery

* A colonoscopy may be performed after 1 year; the exception is if it could not be performed during the initial staging because of an obstructing mass, in which case it should be performed after 3 to 6 months.

* To view the guidelines for colonoscopy surveillance after the primary tumor resection, click here here

Routine PET or ultrasound scanning, chest X-rays, complete blood count or liver function tests are not recommended. These guidelines are based on recent meta-analyses showing that intensive surveillance and close follow-up can reduce the 5-year mortality rate from 37% to 30%.[3][4][5]

## References[edit | edit source]

1. ↑ NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology - Colon Cancer (version 1, 2008: September 19, 2007).
2. ↑ Desch CE, Benson AB 3rd, Somerfield MR, et al; American Society of Clinical Oncology (2005). "Colorectal cancer surveillance: 2005 update of an American Society of Clinical Oncology practice guideline" (PDF). J Clin Oncol. 23 (33): 8512–9.CS1 maint: Multiple names: authors list (link)
3. ↑ Jeffery M, Hickey BE, Hider PN (2002). "Follow-up strategies for patients treated for non-metastatic colorectal cancer". Cochrane Database Syst Rev. CD002200.CS1 maint: Multiple names: authors list (link)
4. ↑ Renehan AG, Egger M, Saunders MP, O'Dwyer ST (2002). "Impact on survival of intensive follow up after curative resection for colorectal cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials". BMJ. 324 (7341): 831–8.CS1 maint: Multiple names: authors list (link)
5. ↑ Figueredo A, Rumble RB, Maroun J, et al; Gastrointestinal Cancer Disease Site Group of Cancer Care Ontario's Program in Evidence-based Care. (2003). "Follow-up of patients with curatively resected colorectal cancer: a practice guideline". BMC Cancer. 3: 26.CS1 maint: Multiple names: authors list (link)

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