RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Relevance of an extensive follow-up after surgery for nonsmall cell lung cancer JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP 1357 OP 1364 DO 10.1183/09031936.00086712 VO 42 IS 5 A1 Delphine Gourcerol A1 Arnaud Scherpereel A1 Stephane Debeugny A1 Henri Porte A1 Alexis B. Cortot A1 Jean-Jacques Lafitte YR 2013 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/5/1357.abstract AB There are no international guidelines for an appropriate and cost-effective follow-up for resected nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We retrospectively reviewed the outcome of NSCLC patients after curative surgery. Follow-up included physical examination and chest radiography every 3 months, and chest computed tomography (CT) scan, bronchoscopy, abdominal ultrasound, brain CT scan and bone scan every 6 months for 3 years, then every year over the following 2 years. Prognostic factors and costs were analysed. Median overall survival following surgery for NSCLC in 162 patients was 38.5 months. Recurrence occurred in 85 (52.5%) patients including 41 (48%) symptomatic subjects. Disease-free survival was similar between patients with asymptomatic recurrence versus symptomatic patients (11.4 versus 12 months; p=0.41). Recurrence was detected by physical examination or chest radiography in 47 (55.3%) patients. Curative-intent therapy was provided in 18 (41%) out of 44 patients with asymptomatic recurrence and in four (10%) out of 41 symptomatic cases (p=0.001). Median overall survival from time of recurrence was higher in asymptomatic patients than in symptomatic patients (15.5 versus 7.2 months; p=0.001). The cost per year of life gained was USD32 700 (€22 397). An extensive follow-up, with acceptable cost, may improve the outcome of patients with resected NSCLC through detection of asymptomatic recurrences; however, validation by prospective studies is required. An extensive follow-up, with acceptable cost, may improve the outcome of patients with resected NSCLC http://ow.ly/nUOez