Optimal follow-up to curative colon and rectal cancer surgery: how and for how long?
In 2009, the projected incidence for colon and rectal cancers in the United States was 106,100 and 40,870, respectively, and approximately 75% of these patients were treated with curative intent. Surveillance or follow-up after colon and rectal cancer resection serves multiple purposes; however, the primary argument supporting the validity of surveillance is the detection of metachronous and recurrent cancers amenable to curative treatment. The surveillance may provide some comfort for cancer survivors who can be informed that they have no evidence of disease.
Asgeirsson
Theodor
T
Research, Department of Surgery, Spectrum Health, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.
Zhang
Sen
S
Senagore
Anthony J
AJ
D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008403:Mass Screening; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*