Follow-up care for cancer: Making the benefits equal the cost

David Schwartz, Kevin Billingsley, Kent Wallner

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

Posttreatment follow-up is a staple of oncologic practice. Clinicians have traditionally presumed that close surveillance improves clinical outcome. However, new evidence reveals that frequent, procedure-intensive follow-up may provide no more significant benefit to patients than simpler approaches. Several recent consensus recommendations from major oncology organizations support this theory. Published surveys of clinician and institutional follow-up policies reveal significant variations in practice, with many providers continuing to use costly, unproven regimens. This review highlights current data on follow-up care for three common cancers - breast, colorectal, and prostate. These data suggest an acute need for changes leading to more rational, consistent, and efficient follow-up practices.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1493-1501
Number of pages9
JournalONCOLOGY
Volume14
Issue number10
StatePublished - 2000

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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