The majority of surgical departments adhere to national Danish guidelines for surveillance after colorectal cancer surgery

TY - JOUR

T1 - The majority of surgical departments adhere to national Danish guidelines for surveillance after colorectal cancer surgery

AU - Lykke, Jakob

AU - Roikjær, Ole

AU - Jess, Per

PY - 2013/7

Y1 - 2013/7

N2 - INTRODUCTION: In 2003 the use of post-operative surveillance (POS) after surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC) in Denmark was studied. Diversity in the choice and frequency of surveillance modalities was found. Subsequently, the Danish Colorectal Cancer Group (DCCG) has published guidelines for POS. In the same period, the number of departments performing CRC surgery has been reduced by 50% nationally. The aim of the present study was to describe the POS after CRC in Denmark following a reduction in the number of departments performing s for CRC and the DCCG's publication of national recommendations for POS programmes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Questionnaires were sent to all 19 departments that performed operations for CRC. Questions concerned the diagnostic modalities used for detecting recurrences and metachrone cancers. RESULTS: All departments returned their questionnaires. All departments had a formal POS programme. The recommendations given by the DCCG were met by 17 departments (89%) with regard to liver metastases, by 16 departments (84%) with regard to lung metastases and by 16 departments (84%) with regard to metachrone cancers. CONCLUSION: As opposed to what was observed in 2003, all departments offered a POS programme after CRC surgery in 2012. Almost all departments met the DCCG recommendations, probably owing to the centralization of CRC surgery and the DCCG's introduction of national guidelines. Hopefully, this will contribute to a better survival for CRC patients in the future, although more research is needed to establish optimal post-operative surveillance.

AB - INTRODUCTION: In 2003 the use of post-operative surveillance (POS) after surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC) in Denmark was studied. Diversity in the choice and frequency of surveillance modalities was found. Subsequently, the Danish Colorectal Cancer Group (DCCG) has published guidelines for POS. In the same period, the number of departments performing CRC surgery has been reduced by 50% nationally. The aim of the present study was to describe the POS after CRC in Denmark following a reduction in the number of departments performing s for CRC and the DCCG's publication of national recommendations for POS programmes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Questionnaires were sent to all 19 departments that performed operations for CRC. Questions concerned the diagnostic modalities used for detecting recurrences and metachrone cancers. RESULTS: All departments returned their questionnaires. All departments had a formal POS programme. The recommendations given by the DCCG were met by 17 departments (89%) with regard to liver metastases, by 16 departments (84%) with regard to lung metastases and by 16 departments (84%) with regard to metachrone cancers. CONCLUSION: As opposed to what was observed in 2003, all departments offered a POS programme after CRC surgery in 2012. Almost all departments met the DCCG recommendations, probably owing to the centralization of CRC surgery and the DCCG's introduction of national guidelines. Hopefully, this will contribute to a better survival for CRC patients in the future, although more research is needed to establish optimal post-operative surveillance.

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 23809973

SN - 2245-1919

VL - 60

SP - A4664

JO - Danish Medical Journal

JF - Danish Medical Journal

IS - 7

ER -