Surveillance following treatment for colorectal cancer in Australia. Has best practice been adopted by medical oncologists?

Abstract

Background: Intensive follow up after surgery for colorectal cancer is associated with a significant survival advantage and is endorsed by expert panels, but are physicians convinced of the benefit? Methods: A questionnaire was mailed to all members of the Medical Oncology Group of Australia, assessing surveillance practices after completion of adjuvant treatments. Results: Responses were obtained from 141 (55%) medical oncologists of which 121 were considered evaluable. Thirteen per cent (n = 16) routinely did not carry out follow-up investigations. Of those carrying out surveillance, 47% (n = 51) nominated identifying potentially resectable metastatic disease as prime consideration. Many (..