Intensified surveillance after surgery for colorectal cancer significantly improves survival

• Published in: European journal of medical research 2010-01, Vol.15 (1), p.25-30, Article 25
• Main Authors: Laubert, Tilman, Bader, F G, Oevermann, E, Jungbluth, T, Unger, L, Roblick, U J, Bruch, H-P, Mirow, L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cancer; Care and treatment; colorectal; Colorectal cancer; Colorectal Neoplasms - mortality; Colorectal Neoplasms - pathology; Databases, Factual - standards; Female; Germany - epidemiology; Humans; Liver Neoplasms - mortality; Liver Neoplasms - secondary; Lung Neoplasms - mortality; Lung Neoplasms - secondary; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local - mortality; Neoplasm Staging - mortality; Patient outcomes; Population Surveillance; surveillance; Survival Analysis
• ISSN: 0949-2321; 2047-783X; 2047-783X
• DOI: 10.1186/2047-783x-15-1-25

Postoperative surveillance after curative resection for colorectal cancer has been demonstrated to improve survival. It remains unknown however, whether intensified surveillance provides a significant benefit regarding outcome and survival. This study was aimed at comparing different surveillance strategies regarding their effect on long-term outcome. Between 1990 and 2006, all curative resections for colorectal cancer were selected from our prospective colorectal cancer database. All patients were offered to follow our institution's surveillance program according to the ASCO guidelines. We defined surveillance as "intensive" in cases where >70% appointments were attended and the program was completed. As "minimal" we defined surveillance with