Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 1985 Nov;78(11):920-1.
doi: 10.1177/014107688507801108.

Is follow up of patients after surgery for breast cancer worthwhile?

M C Ormiston, A G Timoney, A R Qureshi

Is follow up of patients after surgery for breast cancer worthwhile?

M C Ormiston et al. J R Soc Med. 1985 Nov.

Abstract

The effectiveness of routine outpatient follow up in detecting recurrent disease after 'curative' surgery for breast cancer has been evaluated in a retrospective study of 148 patients. In all, 32 patients developed recurrent cancer. In 3 cases, asymptomatic disease was discovered by routine X-rays. In 25 cases, the patient noticed local disease or complained of symptoms due to distant spread, and over half of these returned to the clinic before the next routine appointment. In only 4 cases was routine examination by a doctor solely responsible for the discovery of recurrent disease. It is concluded that routine follow up made little contribution to the welfare of these patients.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Br Med J. 1972 May 20;2(5811):423-9 - PubMed
    1. Lancet. 1975 Jul 19;2(7925):95-7 - PubMed
    1. Br Med J. 1979 Nov 17;2(6200):1247-51 - PubMed
    1. Br J Surg. 1984 Sep;71(9):711-4 - PubMed
    1. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed). 1981 Jun 27;282(6282):2095-6 - PubMed