Intensive Follow-Up Fails to Yield Clear Benefit in Colorectal Cancer

Adding CT scanning to carcinoembryonic antigen testing did not improve detection of curable recurrent disease.

Most patients who receive treatment for locoregional colorectal cancer (CRC) in 2014 will achieve long-term survival. Yet, recurrence in stage II and III disease remains a substantial problem, even with further survival improvements with adjuvant therapy. Blood carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) testing after curative treatment for CRC is accepted to screen for recurrent disease, but the utility of more intensive follow-up with computed tomography (CT) scanning is controversial.

Now, investigators in the U.K. have conducted a multicenter, randomized trial (FACS) to compare four follow-up screening strategies in 1202 CRC patients who underwent curative surgery for primary CRC. In addition to follow-up colonoscopy, the patients underwent one of fo…

Reviewing Author

David H. Ilson, MD, PhD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAstraZeneca; Merck; Taiho; Astellas; Bristol Myers Squibb; Regeneron; Oncolys; Amgen; Daiichi Sankyo

David H. Ilson, MD, PhD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAstraZeneca; Merck; Taiho; Astellas; Bristol Myers Squibb; Regeneron; Oncolys; Amgen; Daiichi Sankyo

Intensive Follow-Up Fails to Yield Clear Benefit in Colorectal Cancer

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Reviewing Author