What is the most practical, optimal, and cost effective method for performing follow-up after lung cancer surgery, and by whom should it be done?
Surgery is the treatment of choice for early stage non-small cell lung cancer. In this context, postoperative follow-up is important to diagnose late postoperative complications, as well as to detect recurring cancer or new primaries as early as possible. There is, however, no high-quality evidence regarding the benefits of monitoring programs on survival and quality of life. Most studies recommend clinical and radiological follow-up (radiograph or chest computed tomography) performed more intensively during the first two years and annually thereafter. The physician doing the follow-up can be the thoracic surgeon, the diagnosing physician, or the family physician.
Multidisciplinary Department of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery, Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec (IUCPQ), 2725 chemin Sainte-Foy, L-3540, Quebec City, Quebec G1V 4G5, Canada. lise.tremblay@cricupq.ulaval.ca
Lise
L
Tremblay
Jean
J
Deslauriers
D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000601:surgery*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000601:surgery*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000601:surgery*; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000175:diagnosis; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000175:diagnosis
Follow-up; Guidelines; Imaging modality; Lung cancer; Surgery