ABSTRACT
The vigor and frequency of follow-up depends on the risk of recurrence from the primary lesion and, in part, on the philosophy of the following surgeon. If the policy is aggressive retreatment, including operation for all detected recurrences, then follow-up is frequent. However, if there is a reluctance by the patient or surgeon to act on new recurrences in the absence of symptoms, then follow-up, especially with regard to imaging, is much less vigorous. Patients with retroperitoneal and gastrointestinal/visceral sarcomas are usually followed clinically every 3 months for the first 3 years.11 In addition, these patients would undergo abdominopelvic CT scans every 6 months. After 3 years, patients would be followed clinically and by CT scan every 6 months.
