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Value of intensive follow‐up of patients after curative surgery for gastric carcinoma
Author(s) -
Tan Ing Tuan,
So Bok Yan Jimmy
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/jso.20823
Subject(s) - medicine , regimen , gastrectomy , surgery , cancer , gastric carcinoma , carcinoma , radiology
Objective Most clinicians perform surveillance after gastrectomy for gastric cancer. There is no consensus on the regimen, follow‐up interval and choice of investigations. This study aims to review the long‐term results of patients followed‐up in our institution after gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Methods Patients with gastric carcinoma who had undergone gastrectomy between 1995 and 1998 were reviewed. The patients were assigned to either intensive or regular regimen based on the follow‐up they had undergone. Intensive regimen included routine physical examination, serum tumor markers, and the use of computed tomography (CT) scan of more than once per year in the follow‐up. Results A total of 102 patients were reviewed. Forty‐nine patients received intensive and 53 patients received regular follow‐up. Recurrences were detected earlier in the intensive group (11.5 vs. 19.2 months, P = 0.02). There was no difference in the length of survival in the two groups. Most recurrences (60%) were detected by CT scan. Conclusions Intensive follow‐up after gastrectomy resulted in the earlier detection of recurrences. However, there was no survival benefit from this regimen. A regimen based on symptoms and physical examination is adequate for most patients. CT was the most useful investigation for detection of recurrences. J. Surg. Oncol. 2007;96:503–506. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.