|
The patient should be reviewed
|
| 1. Three monthly for the first 2 years postoperatively |
| 2. Then 6 monthly for the next 3 years |
| |
|
Patient history
|
| Please ask the following (or similar) questions to your patient |
| 1. What is your bowel habit? Has there been any change lately? |
| 2. Have you noticed any bleeding in the stools or from the anus? |
| 3. Have you experienced any abdominal pains of more than a few days' duration? |
| 4. Have you experienced any other pains, for example in your back, chest or legs? |
| 5. Have you noticed any weight loss? |
| 6. Have you been feeling tired or lethargic? |
| |
|
Physical examination
|
| Assess the patient for |
| 1. Colour |
| 2. Enlarged neck nodes |
| 3. Abdominal masses, for example, the liver, wound deposits or ascites |
| |
|
Diagnostic tests
|
| Recent studies have raised doubts as to the value of many diagnostic tests in the detection of recurrent or metastatic disease. However, there is value in performing. |
| 1. Annual FOBT (faecal occult blood test) |
| 2. A colonoscopy every 3 years |
| |
|
Note: If the patient experiences any positive signs or symptoms, they should be appropriately investigated. Please use the case note provided for each relevant follow-up consultation. |
