Follow-up of patients with lung cancer

Abstract:

In Croatia, lung cancer is the leading malignant disease in the male population, and the third most common cancer in women. Follow-up of patients with lung cancer depends on the histological type of cancer and the stage of the disease. In patients with early stages of non-small cell lung carcinoma that have undergone radical treatment, followup is performed every 3-6 months for the first two years and then once a year, while in patients with stage IV cancer follow-up is most commonly performed 6-12 weeks after the first line of chemotherapy. For patients with stage I-III small cell lung carcinoma who received potentially curative treatment, it is recommended to perform a detailed clinical examination, basic laboratory tests and CT scan of the thorax and abdomen every 3-6 months in the first two years following treatment, followed by every six months over the next five years. Patients who received therapy should be well educated on the symptoms that may indicate possible recurrence of the disease, and familiarized with the side effects related to the treatment

Key words:
Lung cancer; Lung cancer Follow-Up; Carcinoma, Non-Small Cell Lung; Carcinoma, Small Cell Lung