Follow up of non small cell lung cancer - Should patients be followed up after surgery for nonsmall cell lung cancer and how?.
Fiche publication
Date publication
novembre 2006
Lien Pubmed
Résumé
Introduction Survival of patients after surgery for non-small cell lung cancer is significantly impaired because of frequent fatal recurrences. Logically, follow-up should detect early recurrences, thus increasing chances of cure. State of the art Only nonrandomized studies have been published. These data show that: thoracic recurrences are the most frequent and the most frequently treated with curative intent; diagnosis of recurrences while patients are still asymptomatic might improve survival. Several guidelines have been published, with follow-up programs of variable intensity and with a recent tendency to reduce follow-up procedures to the only clinical visit with medical history and physical examination (American Society of Clinical Oncology, 2004). Perspectives All these recommendations consider that there is a need for randomized data. Only one randomized trial is ongoing, conducted by the Intergroupe Francophone de Cancerologie Thoracique (IFCT). This study compares a minimal follow-up with physical examination and chest X-ray and a more intensive follow-up program reflecting the French everyday practice including physical examination, chest X-ray, thoracic CT scan and fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Conclusion Follow-up might be interesting for patients operated on for a NSCLC. Its modality remain to be defined. As it is not possible to define the optimal follow-up after surgery for non-small cell lung cancer from existing data, the IFCT randomized study represents for pulmonologists, oncologists and thoracic surgeons a good opportunity to rationalize postoperative follow-up.
Référence
. 2006 Nov;23(5 Pt 3):S84-7.