Follow-up and surveillance of the lung cancer patient after treatment

The goals of follow-up and surveillance of lung cancer patients who undergo treatment with curative intent involve the detection of recurrent disease, as well as second primary lung cancer. Protocols for the follow-up and surveillance of these patients are not supported by high-quality clinical evidence, yet most major organizations involved with lung cancer are advocates of this practice. Most of these guidelines recommend that healthcare providers perform periodic medical histories and physical examinations, as well as computed tomography of the chest. Other testing, including PET/CT and other imaging, and biochemical evaluations are not recommended. Published data suggest that patients may benefit when recurrent or new primary lung cancer is detected when it can be potentially treated with curative intent. A significant downside to this practice is the potential harm to patients that may result from false-positive testing, underlining the need for appropriate expertise when making patient care decisions. Patients should undergo surveillance as long as they are able to tolerate potentially curative treatment options.