WCLC 2025 - Posters & ePosters-EP.16.01 Is Follow Up for Lung Cancer Surgery Evidence Based Within the UK

EP.16.01 Is Follow Up for Lung Cancer Surgery Evidence Based Within the UK - a Critical Review of Protocols

Pdf Summary

This critical review by Barton et al. examines whether lung cancer surgery follow-up protocols in the UK are evidence-based, focusing on the use and frequency of CT scan imaging post-resection. An international literature review covering the UK, USA, Brazil, Canada, France, and Austria identified 12 relevant studies from 1999 to 2022. The majority supported CT scans as the preferred imaging method for follow-up, with seven studies indicating CT follow-up allowed earlier detection of asymptomatic recurrences. However, evidence on the optimal timing and frequency of follow-up intervals was limited and inconsistent. One study addressed the broader impacts of follow-up on patients' physical and psychological well-being, without focusing on imaging, and another questioned whether follow-up should vary by cancer stage.<br /><br />The review analyzed protocols from ten NHS Trusts, mostly tertiary centers, revealing wide variability in follow-up approaches. Six Trusts used nurse-led services, the rest respiratory physician-led. Appointment formats varied among face-to-face, virtual, telephone, or hybrid models. Follow-up intervals in the first year ranged from 3 to 6 months, except one Trust (Manchester NHSFT) which adopted a more intensive 6-weekly follow-up for high-risk patients over two years. Most Trusts followed patients for five years post-surgery.<br /><br />Overall, the literature and protocols lack uniform evidence-based guidelines dictating follow-up timing or frequency, although CT imaging is the consensus modality. The review highlights the need for further research and larger-scale protocol analysis to establish standardized, evidence-based UK follow-up pathways, optimizing post-surgical care and detection of recurrence.

Asset Subtitle

Peter Barton

Meta Tag

Speaker Peter Barton

Topic Patient Advocacy

Keywords

lung cancer surgery

follow-up protocols

CT scan imaging

post-resection surveillance

asymptomatic recurrence detection

NHS Trusts variability

nurse-led follow-up

respiratory physician-led follow-up

follow-up intervals

evidence-based guidelines