Follow-up of patients after curative bladder cancer treatment: guidelines vs. practice.
OBJECTIVE
Goal of surveillance after curative treatment of bladder cancer is to identify bladder cancer recurrence in an early stage. There also has to be close follow-up of the metabolic and functional consequences of urinary diversions. In this review we propose a follow-up scheme based on the available literature.


RESULTS
Follow-up of patients who underwent curative treatment after invasive bladder cancer covers many aspects. Most recurrences are seen within 2-3 years after curative treatment, therefore awareness of specific signs and symptoms that indicate local-regional, distant, upper urinary tract and urethral recurrence are important. But apart from the oncological follow-up there are also metabolic and functional aspects that play a vital role in surveillance.


CONCLUSIONS
At this time there is no consensus about the best follow-up strategy and a follow-up strategy based on the literature is suggested.
Vrooman
Olaf P J
OP
Department of Urology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Witjes
J Alfred
JA
D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy*