[Follow up examinations in cytostatic therapy]

Schweiz Med Wochenschr. 1988 Mar 19;118(11):398-400.
[Article in German]

Abstract

There are three main reasons for routine follow-up examinations after cytotoxic chemotherapy in cancer patients: assessment of treatment efficacy; rating of drug side-effects; and detection of relapse. Routine controls can only be efficiently performed with a thorough knowledge of the biology of the tumor and of the therapeutic efficacy of the available cytotoxic drugs. The frequency and type of follow-up examinations depend mainly on the curative or palliative treatment potential. Examples of superfluous controls are mentioned. By prevention of unnecessary examinations the primary care physician could play an important role in cut down of health care costs.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / diagnosis
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / diagnosis
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Palliative Care

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents