title: Recommendations on follow-up of breast cancer patients following primary therapy.
abstract: Follow-up of breast cancer patients who have completed their primary therapy has not been standardized. The literature is reviewed and it is proposed that "minimal" follow-up with history and physical examination is the most appropriate procedure. Data show that more expensive imaging studies be carried out only in patients who are symptomatic from their disease, otherwise such an intensive follow-up schedule is not cost effective.
authors.affiliation: Evanston Hospital Corporation, IL 60201, USA.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Khandekar
mesh_terms: D000359:Aftercare / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D008487:Medical History Taking; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010808:Physical Examination; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity