Abstrakt
The principal aim of follow-up programmes after curative resection of colorectal cancer is to improve survival. To achieve this goal, patients are screened for early recurrent disease with the intent of a second curative surgery.
To evaluate the stage of the disease, treatment strategy and prognosis a combination of investigations is necessary. The more effective the treatment of patients with colorectal cancer, the less cost-effective is the follow-up with regard to diagnosis of a relapse.