title: Strategies of follow-up for colorectal cancer: a survey of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The postoperative surveillance of patients who have undergone curative treatment for colorectal cancer (CRC) is controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the follow-up practice of colorectal surgeons in the United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  A postal survey was sent to 1641 active members of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons practicing in the United States to assess the frequency of follow-up and the methods used in the surveillance of asymptomatic patients following curative surgery for CRC.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only 582 (36%) of the questionnaires that were sent were returned fully completed. Of these, 173 surgeons (30%) followed their patients according to guidelines. Ninety-four percent of surgeons during the first year and 81% during the second year saw their patients regularly every 3 or 6 months. The most widely used tests were colonoscopy and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) testing. There was wide discrepancy in the frequency of follow-up and techniques employed, with only about 50% of surgeons following recommended practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surveillance strategies mainly rely on clinical examination, CEA monitoring and colonoscopy. No clear consensus on surveillance programs for CRC patients exists.
authors.affiliation: Department of Colorectal Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, FL, USA.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Giordano
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Efron
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Vernava
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Nogueras
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Wexner
mesh_terms: D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000097:blood; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008111:Liver Function Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012955:Societies, Medical; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen