What follow-up is needed after treatment of lung cancer?
Careful follow-up by a physician expert in the care of lung cancer is mandatory. The incidence of second cancers is very high and cure of these cancers is possible if they are detected at an early stage. Cure is also possible in some cases if recurrent tumor is discovered at an early stage. Appropriate palliative measures should be instituted as early as possible. My usual plan is to see the patient one week following discharge and at six weeks post-op to be sure that no post-operative complications have occured and to be sure that proper consultations have been obtained, if adjuvant therapy is indicated. The patient is then seen at four month intervals for the next two years, when the chance of recurrence is highest, and at six month intervals thereafter, for the rest of his life. At follow up, a history and physical examination are done. This examination should include all items mentioned in the pre-operative examination. Special attention is paid to functional status and possible re
