The role of Radiological follow-up protocol in patients with surgically resected Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

The follow-up for radically treated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients remains controversial. The aim of this study was to review the outcomes since the change in the local protocol in 2014 were CT scan follow-up introduced, in term of further radical treatment for recurrence as well as 3 years survival.243 patients with NSCLC who treated radically with surgical resection were retrospectively reviewed. Patients treated in 2012-2013 were followed-up by chest radiographs or no specific protocol (Group A), while patients treated in 2015 had CT-Scans follow-up at 6, 12 and 18 months (Group B).Out of 169 patients in group A, 68 patients (40.2%) had recurrence & only 18 patients (26.5%) were offered secondary radical treatment.74 patients were in group B, 29 (39%) found to have recurrence of their disease and among those 12 patients (41%) treated radically.3 years survival rate was 69.2% (117 patients) in group A compared to 82.4% (61 patients) in group B.The study did show a trend that CT scans follow-up seems to increase the rate of further radical treatment in patients with recurrence and positively impact the 3 years survival rate.
Source: European Respiratory Journal - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Tags: Lung cancer Source Type: research