Follow-up after colorectal cancer: current practice in The Netherlands.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the current practice of follow-up after operations for colorectal cancer in The Netherlands in comparison with other countries. DESIGN: Postal survey. SETTING: All surgical departments in The Netherlands. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Attitudes of surgeons towards detection and treatment of recurrences after colorectal cancer. RESULTS: Of the 139 questionnaires sent out, 136 (98%) were returned. History taking, physical examination, and colonoscopy for local recurrence and metachronous tumours were used by 90% of the hospitals. Attitudes towards screening for hepatic and pulmonary metastases and regional recurrence varied considerably between hospitals. Similar findings were found in seven surveys from other countries. CONCLUSION: There is no consensus among surgeons regarding the follow-up of patients with colorectal cancer. Randomised controlled trials comparing different follow-up strategies and cost-effectiveness analyses are needed to identify groups of patients that will benefit most from follow-up. Identification of these patients may lead to more agreement between surgeons.