Aftercare in oncology--greater role for the general practitioner
De Vegt, F.; van Dijck, J.A.A.M.J.; van de Lisdonk, E.H.; Verbeek, A.é L.M.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde 155(45): A4148
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 1876-8784 PMID: 22085581 Document Number: 651395
Patients who undergo curative treatment for cancer continue to be medically monitored for a number of years. Scheduled aftercare, mainly aimed at early detection of locoregional cancer recurrences, distant metastases and secondary primary tumours, takes place chiefly in the second line, but is expected to shift to the first line. Figures from the Nijmegen Continuous Morbidity Registration show that an average (Dutch) general practitioner, caring for about 2500 patients, has in his practice 90 patients who have or have had cancer. This number will increase due to the increasing prevalence of cancer. In addition, extra consultations for each cancer patient will increase the demand for GP care.