ABSTRACT

The aim of a dedicated follow-up strategy after curative therapy for colorectal cancer is to improve long-term survival by identifying early relapse of disease or metachronous cancers. From the patient’s perspective, a comprehensive follow-up may provide reassurance and reduce anxiety. Any surgical institution should have a defined strategy for quality control to be able to monitor key variables. It is necessary to document that the institution fulfil recommended national standards with mortality and morbidity rates that are within an acceptable level and that the quality of the surgical specimens, the radiology and the pathology adhere to best practice. The primary objective of a surveillance strategy after curative therapy for colorectal cancer must be cure and survival. A relapse will be found in 25%–40% despite treatment of curative intent. A follow-up program should therefore aim for early detection of a possible local recurrence and early detection of distant metastasis before progression to systemic disease.