Table 3. Guidelines follow-up recommendations on DRE.

Guideline	Treatment with curative intent	Prostatectomy	External beam radiotherapy	Brachytherapy	Active surveillance	Watchful waiting	Advanced and metastatic disease
NICE (2008)	Not recommended as routine while PSA remains at baseline levels				Not recommended while PSA remains at baseline levels	Not recommended while PSA remains at baseline levels	-
EAU	At 3, 6 and 12 months, then every 6 months until 3 years, then annually						At 3 and 6 months, then every 6 months for M0 and good treatment response, every 3–6 months for M1 and good treatment response
CBO	Not recommended as routine if PSA is decreasing or low and stable
SBHW					Every 3–6 months
NCCN	Annually				Every 6 months if life expectancy 10 years, every 6–12 months if <10 years		Every 3–6 months after initial therapy for N1 or M1
ACB	Annually			Annually
SOR		Optional for patients with total serum PSA < limit of detection	Every 6 months for an indefinite period	At regular intervals
CCNS			Every 6–24 months in years 1–5, then every 1–3 years		Every 6 months
AFU		Recommended if PSA detectable or indicates a higher grade tumour or risk of local relapse is important	Annually	Annually for 10 years is customary practice
ACR				Follow-up at 3–6 month intervals for 1–2 years, then periodically, may include DRE
OMHLTC		At 3–12-month intervals	At 3–12-month intervals		At 3–6-month intervals		At 3–6-month intervals for men undergoing hormone therapy
NICE (2002)					Regular
BCCA		Every 3 months in the first year, then every 6 months			Every 6 months for 2 years, then 6 monthly
ESTRO				Follow-up every 3 months for the first year, then every 6 months to 5 years, then annually, should include DRE
AUA					Consider regular tests

Abbreviations: DRE=digital rectal examination.