. 2014 Jun 13;7(2):92–96. doi: 10.1007/s12254-014-0146-8

Table 1.

Follow-up recommendation in soft tissue sarcoma

	Recommendation	Time-line
After radical treatment of sarcoma in stage IA-IB (low-grade/G1)	H&P (rule out local relapse!) every 3–6 months for 2–3 years; annually thereafter. Consider baseline CT/MRI or ultrasound at 6 months after surgery. In retroperitoneal and intraperitoneal sarcomas, abdominal/pelvic CT every 6 months (for the first 2–3 years), then once a year. In other cases, imaging studies only when clinically indicated. Chest X-ray every 6–12 months, if metastatic nodules are suspected—perform chest CT. Mandatory to educate patients about self-examination	Every 3–6 months for 2–3 years; annually thereafter (more than 10 years of follow-up after radiotherapy)
After radical treatment of sarcoma in stage II-III (G2/3) or after lymph node dissection	H&P (rule out local relapse!) Ultrasound—optional, but no more than once a year. Consider baseline CT/MRI or ultrasound at 6 months after surgery. In retroperitoneal and intraperitoneal sarcomas, abdominal/pelvic CT every 6 months (for the first 2–3 years), then once a year. In other cases, imaging studies only when clinically indicated. Chest X-ray or chest CT every 3-6 months. Mandatory to educate patient about self-examination	Every 3–6 months for 2–3 years; then every 6–12 months for 3 years; and annually thereafter
After treatment of disease dissemination (stage IV)	The assessment of metastatic (target) lesions on CT or MRI	An individual plan of follow-up visits

Recommendation

Time-line

After radical treatment of sarcoma in stage IA-IB (low-grade/G1)

H&P (rule out local relapse!) every 3–6 months for 2–3 years; annually thereafter.

Consider baseline CT/MRI or ultrasound at 6 months after surgery.

In retroperitoneal and intraperitoneal sarcomas, abdominal/pelvic CT every 6 months (for the first 2–3 years), then once a year. In other cases, imaging studies only when clinically indicated.

Chest X-ray every 6–12 months, if metastatic nodules are suspected—perform chest CT.

Mandatory to educate patients about self-examination

Every 3–6 months for 2–3 years; annually thereafter (more than 10 years of follow-up after radiotherapy)

After radical treatment of sarcoma in stage II-III (G2/3) or after lymph node dissection

H&P (rule out local relapse!)

Ultrasound—optional, but no more than once a year. Consider baseline CT/MRI or ultrasound at 6 months after surgery. In retroperitoneal and intraperitoneal sarcomas, abdominal/pelvic CT every 6 months (for the first 2–3 years), then once a year. In other cases, imaging studies only when clinically indicated. Chest X-ray or chest CT every 3-6 months.

Mandatory to educate patient about self-examination

Every 3–6 months for 2–3 years; then every 6–12 months for 3 years; and annually thereafter

After treatment of disease dissemination (stage IV)

The assessment of metastatic (target) lesions on CT or MRI

An individual plan of follow-up visits

CT computed tomography, MRI magnetic resonance imaging