Optimal delivery of colorectal cancer follow-up care: improving patient outcomes

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide. With population aging and increases in survival, the number of CRC survivors is projected to rise dramatically. The time following initial treatment is often described as a period of transition from intensive hospital-based care back into “regular life.” This review provides an overview of recommended follow-up care for people with CRC who have been treated with curative intent, as well as exploring the current state of the research that underpins these guidelines. For patients, key concerns following treatment include the development of recurrent and new cancers, late and long-term effects of cancer and treatment, and the interplay of these factors with daily function and general health. For physicians, survivorship care plans can be a tool for coordinating the surveillance, intervention, and prevention of these key patient concerns. Though much of the research in cancer survivorship to date has focused on surveillance for recurrent disease, many national guidelines differ in their conclusions about the frequency and timing of follow-up tests. Most CRC guidelines refer only briefly to the management of side effects, despite reports that many patients have a range of ongoing physiological, psychosocial, and functional needs. Guidance for surveillance and intervention is often limited by a small number of heterogeneous trials conducted in this patient group. However, recently released survivorship guidelines emphasize the potential for the effectiveness of secondary prevention strategies, such as physical activity, to improve patient outcomes. There is also emerging evidence for the role of primary care providers and nurse coordinated care to support the transition and increase the cost-effectiveness of follow-up. The shift in focus from recurrence alone to the assessment and management of a range of survivorship issues will be important for ensuring that this growing group of patients achieves optimal outcomes.

Introduction

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide, with almost 1.4 million new cases in 2012.1 It is commonly referred to as a disease of aging, as the median age of diagnosis is 70 years.2 The number of new cases is therefore projected to rise dramatically with the aging of the population that is currently occurring in nearly every country and region.3 As a result of improved screening, earlier detection, and increased treatment efficacy, relative survival from CRC has improved markedly in industrialized countries.4 Consequently, CRC is currently the third most prevalent cancer worldwide, with over 3.5 million survivors.1

Follow-up and survivorship care has become a major area of interest, largely since the release of a pivotal report by the United States Institute of Medicine in 2005.5 The report adopted the broad definition of a cancer survivor as any individual currently living with or affected by a diagnosis of cancer, including family, friends, and caregivers. In applying the definition, a focus was given to the relatively neglected period following initial treatment and prior to the development of recurrence or death.5 This period is often described as a time of transition from intensive hospital-based care back into “regular life.” While much of the research in cancer survivorship has traditionally focused on surveillance, those in the follow-up stage have a distinct range of physiological, psychosocial, and functional needs. A key challenge for clinicians is applying research findings and guideline recommendations to each individual patient, who will differ widely in their preexisting health status and in their response to cancer and its treatment.

Several excellent reviews and resources for survivorship care exist.6–9 This review will provide an overview of recommended follow-up care for people with CRC who have been treated with curative intent, as well as exploring the current state of the research that underpins these guidelines.

Reasons for undertaking follow-up

A key recommendation of the US Institute of Medicine (2005) report was that every cancer survivor be issued a survivorship care plan at the end of their initial cancer treatment.5 The plan aims to serve as both a record of a patient’s clinical and initial treatment details, and as a plan for the coordination of care across key areas of post-treatment follow-up and survivorship (see Figure 1). For patients, key concerns following treatment include the development of recurrent and new cancers, late and long-term effects of cancer and treatment, and the interplay of these factors with daily function and general (non-cancer) health. For physicians, the care plan is a tool for coordinating the surveillance, intervention, and prevention of these key patient concerns.

Figure 1.

Elements of post-treatment follow-up care.

New or recurrent disease

While the majority of patients with CRC present with local or locally advanced disease that can potentially be cured by surgical resection, up to 40% will experience recurrence.10 Of these recurrences, 80% occur in first 2–2.5 years, and 95% will occur by 5 years after treatment.11 Surveillance recommendations are therefore largely based around these time periods.

Recurrence can be local, regional, or systemic. The anatomy and physiology of the human pelvis essentially dictates the pattern of recurrence after treatment. Rectal cancers tend to recur locally or regionally because of the close proximity of the rectum to pelvic structures and organs and difficulties in achieving wide resection margins.12 Intraluminal recurrence, where malignant cells shed and implant around the surgical anastomosis, occurs in approximately 5% of rectal cancer patients.13 In colon cancer, recurrence is more likely to only occur at distant sites such as the liver and lungs.14

Two or more distinct primary carcinomas can also coexist around the time of diagnosis (synchronous), or can develop in a different part of the intestine up to several years after surgery (metachronous). These represent new non-recurrent cancers. Approximately 5% of people with CRC will present with synchronous tumors, and the incidence of metachronous tumors is 2% at 5 years.15 Hereditary CRC syndromes, such as familial adenomatous polyposis and inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis) are predisposing factors in the development of multiple colorectal carcinomas.16

A history of CRC also places an individual at greater risk of developing a subsequent non-colorectal primary cancer, distinct from any risk of metastasis. This increased risk may be due to genetic susceptibilities, shared causative exposures like smoking, and/or as a result of anticancer treatment.17 Among CRC survivors, the most common sites for second primary cancers are in the breast, prostate, genitourinary tract, skin, and lung.18,19

Late and long-term side effects

Late effects are generally defined as problems that manifest after treatment has ended. Long-term effects are those that become apparent during treatment but may continue to persist for years afterwards. Late and long-term effects can occur as a consequence of surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy. More generally, the diagnosis of cancer and its treatment can significantly affect long-term psychosocial health and daily function.

Late and long-term side effects of CRC surgery can include complications such as incisional or parastomal hernia, and bowel adhesions.20,21 Frequent or urgent bowel movements are also commonly reported in CRC.22 Long-term effects of pelvic radiotherapy for rectal cancer are less common with modern techniques, but typically involve anorectal and sexual function.23

The most common problems for cancer survivors are fatigue, anxiety and depression, and pain.24 Fatigue can persist long after treatment is complete. A population-based data study conducted in the Netherlands reported that fatigue is nearly twice as common in CRC survivors than in an age- and sex-matched normative population.25 Peripheral neuropathy caused by the chemotherapy drug oxaliplatin may persist for a number of years for a small subset of patients.26 Sleep difficulties, and problems with concentration and memory, are also well documented.27 As many as 33%–96% of cancer survivors experience fears about progression or recurrence of disease,28 which can cause some patients to avoid surveillance or demand more intensive surveillance than advised.29

The exact prevalence and trajectory of various effects of cancer and its treatment are often hard to quantify, as longitudinal studies are rare and few studies differentiate between the effects of cancer and the effects of aging.30 However, most cancer survivors report having a high quality of life31 and being in good general health 5 years or more after treatment.32 Physical wellbeing is generally improved by 3 or more years after diagnosis for most CRC survivors.6

Daily function and general health

Clinical and psychosocial side effects of cancer and its treatment can affect an individual’s ability to function in everyday life. Gastrointestinal cancer survivors, including those with CRC, have been found to be at higher risk for unemployment than healthy adults.33 This is a key issue, as work after a cancer diagnosis provides financial security, forms a central basis for self-identity and self-esteem, and helps to maintain social relationships.34 The presence of a stoma has also been associated with increased financial worries as well as diminished body image,35 with survivors being more likely to report negative feelings about body appearance if they have a stoma.36 Although the presence of a stoma has been reported to negatively impact social functioning at 1 year after diagnosis,37 results of follow-up at more than 2 years after diagnosis suggest that a permanent stoma does not have a long-lasting impact on social functioning.38

Cancer survivors are at increased risk for long-term morbidity and premature mortality, related directly to the cancer itself, to preexisting comorbidities, and to exposure to therapy. For example, patients with CRC who have diabetes have an increased risk of recurrence as well as poorer short- and long-term mortality.39 Issues of CRC survivorship may be further complicated by advancing age, as the prevalence of chronic conditions increases and functional reserves are depleted. Having a greater number of comorbidities can interact with cancer status to produce a greater degree of ongoing symptom burden in a dose-dependent manner.40 Pain, fatigue, insomnia, and mood disturbance may occur in a cluster and negatively influence older patients’ ability to perform normal daily activities.41

What are the current guidelines for follow-up care in CRC?

This section examines the broad recommendations from ten major national guidelines for follow-up and survivorship care in CRC that have been issued over the last 5 years.11,42–51 The majority of guidelines advise that their recommendations apply only to those who have received a curative resection for stage II or stage III disease, typically citing the lack of data to provide evidence-based guidance for stage I or metastatic disease.11 Cancer Care Ontario suggests that extrapolating recommendations to Stage I patients should be left to the discretion of the health care provider.42 Some guidelines suggest that it is reasonable to apply recommendations to all patients who have been curatively treated and who would be candidates for further aggressive treatment.48 With better treatments, this will increasingly include a proportion of patients with resectable metastatic disease.

A summary of recommendations for each of the guidelines is documented in Table 1, and an example surveillance schedule based on the guidelines is presented in Table 2. While national guidelines differ in their conclusions about the frequency and timing of follow-up surveillance, there are a number of common recommendations across guidelines for the follow-up care of patients with CRC:

• History and physical examination – a clinical encounter with a physician at regular intervals to highlight symptoms that may suggest cancer recurrence, and digital rectal examination for select patients with rectal cancer.

• Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) testing, at each follow-up visit. CEA is a protein that is elevated in the blood of patients in a number of cancers including CRC, and can indicate disease recurrence before clinical signs and symptoms are apparent.

• Colonoscopy/proctoscopy/rectosigmoidoscopy, to visualize metanchronous CRC or polyps and anastomotic recurrence. If colonoscopy could not be performed preoperatively due to obstruction, one should be carried out soon after initial treatment to identify any synchronous tumors.

• Computed tomography (CT) scans of chest/abdomen/pelvis, primarily to detect distant metastatic disease in the lung or liver, and locoregional pelvic recurrence in select patients with rectal cancer.

• Positron emission tomography and fecal occult blood testing – not routinely recommended.

• Care coordination – reasonable to discharge care to a nurse or community physician with a treatment summary and surveillance plan.

• Other common recommendations:

  • ○
    Monitor and manage late and long-term effects on bowel function
  • ○
    Reasonable to counsel patients on preventative health measures such as healthy weight, diet, and physical activity.

Table 1.

Summary of recommendations from national guidelines on the follow-up care of patients with CRC

	Cancer Care Ontario42,a Stage II–III with NED	National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®)43,44,104,b Any stage with NED	ASCO11,c Stage II–III and candidate for aggressive Tx	ESMO (colon)45,d Not advanced stage	ESMO (rectal)46,e No staging specified	NICE47,f Curatively resected	Cancer Council Australia48,g Curatively resected and fit for further intervention	NZGG49,h All resected	BSG/ACGBI50,j Curatively treated	JSCCR51,k Curatively resected stage I–III
History and physical examination	e 6 m for 5 y	e 3–6 m for 2 y, then e 6 m til 5 yi	e 3–6 m for 5 y	e 3–6 m for 3 y, then e 6–12 m until 5 y	e 6 m for 2 y; DRE: e 3–6 m for 3 y, then e 6–12 m until 5 y	Start clinic visits 4–6 weeks after Tx	DRE: e 6 m for 2–3 y if local excision or ULAR (rectal)	e 6 m for 3 y, then e 12 m until 5 y if high risk;xi e 12 m for 5 y if low riskxii (colon)		e 3 m for 3 y, then e 6 m until 5 y; DRE: e 6 m for 3 y
Serum carcinoembryonic antigen measurement	e 6 m for 5 y	e 3–6 m for 2 y, then e 6 m til 5 yi,ii	e 3–6 m for 5 yvi	e 3–6 m for 3 y, then e 6–12 m until 5 y	Other tools for suspicious symptoms only	Min e 6 m for 3 y	Intensive follow-up recommended including CEAix	e 6 m for 3 y, then e 12 m until 5 y if high risk;xi e 12 m for 5 y if low riskxii (colon)		e 3 m for 3 y, then e 6 m until 5 y
Colonoscopy	At 12 m, then e 5 y if normal	@ 12 m or @ 3–6 m post resection if not preoperatively, then @ 3 y, then e 5 y if normaliii	At 12 m or after adjuvant Tx if not at Dx, then e 5 y if normal	At 12 m, then e 3–5 y	Within 12 m if not at Dx, then e 5 y until age 75	At 12 m, then e 5 y if normal	At 12 m or at 3–6 m after resection if not perioperatively, then at 6 y if normalx	Before surgery or within 12 m, then e 3–5 y (rectal or low risk colon)xii	e 5 yxiv	At 12 m, then at 3 y (colon); e 12 m for 3 y (rectal)
Proctoscopy/rectosigmoidoscopy for rectal cancer	Rectosigmoidoscopy: e 6 m for 2–5 y if no pelvic radiation	Not recommended	Rectosigmoidoscopy: e 6 m for 2–5 y if no pelvic radiation		Sigmoidoscopy for local excision: e 3–6 m for 3 y, then e 6–12 m until 5 y***		Rigid or flexible proctoscopy and/or rectal ultrasound: e 6 m for 2–3 y if local excision or ULAR	DRE, proctoscopy, or sigmoidoscopy: at 3, 6, and 12 m and at 2 y
Abdominal and chest CT	e 12 m for 3 yi	e 12 m for up to 5 y if high riski,iv; e 3–6 m for 2 y, then e 6–12 m til 5 y (stage iv colon)	e 12 m for 3 yvii	e 6–12 m for 3 y if higher risk; CEUS can substitute for abdominal CT	Other tools for suspicious symptoms only	Min 2 scans in first 3 y	Intensive follow-up recommended including imagingix	Liver CT between 1 and 3 yxiii	Liver CT: within 2 y	e 6 m for 3 y, then e 12 m until 5 y (stage I–II); e 6 m for 5 y (stage iii)xv
Pelvic CT	e 12 m for 3 y (rectal)i	e 12 m for up to 5 y if high riski,iv; e 3–6 m for 2 y, then e 6–12 m til 5 y (stage IV colon)	eg, e 12 m for 3–5 y (rectal)viii		Other tools for suspicious symptoms only	Min 2 scans in first 3 y	Intensive follow-up recommended including imagingix			e 6 m for 3 y, then e 12 m until 5 y (stage I–II); e 6 m for 5 y (stage III) (rectal)
Care coordination	Reasonable to discharge to community-based family physician care or nurse-led care*	Recommends prescription for survivorship and transfer of care to primary care physician	Reasonable to discharge care to community-based physician or nurse with treatment summary and surveillance plan	Primary practitioner should have a significant role in survivor care; Survivorship care plans are an increasing priority				Multidisciplinary team to direct and may involve follow-up in primary care; give written information outlining follow-up plan
Other recommendations	Reasonable to counsel on ideal bodyweight, physical activity, diet; FOBT is not recommended	Monitor and manage bowel and urogenital late effects; Counsel for healthy lifestyle; Cancer screening (breast, prostate) as average risk; Additional health monitoring and immunizations as indicated; PET scans not recommended	Reasonable to counsel on healthy bodyweight, diet, physical activity; PET scans are not recommended	General medical and preventative health issues are equal in importance to the care of cancer		Offer jargon-free verbal and written information on managing bowel side effects, available support groups, online resources	Offer colonoscopic educational advice and/or music to reduce patient anxiety and discomfort

Notes:

^*Refers to separate guidelines for survivor models of care;

^***from ESMO 2012.

ⁱNot recommended for stage I colon cancer;

ⁱⁱIf candidate for further intervention;

ⁱⁱⁱrecommend e 1–2 y for patients with HNPCC3;

^ivstage III or II with lymphatic/venous invasion or poorly differentiated tumors;

^vstage III or II with lymphatic/venous invasion or poorly differentiated tumors;

^vimore frequent if higher risk;

^viiconsider e 6–12 m if higher risk;

^viiiclinician to determine frequency considering risk status;

^ixspecific recommendations in rescinded 2005 guidelines;

^xmore frequent surveillance if Dx <40 years or other high risk conditions; e 12 m if proven HNPCC;

^xistage IIb and III;

^xiistage I and IIa or comorbidities restricting future surgery;

^xiiistage I–III;

^xivuntil benefit is outweighed by comorbidity;

^xvabdominal ultrasound and chest X-ray are acceptable.

^aCopyright © 2012, Cancer Care Ontario. Adapted from Earle C, Annis R, Sussman J, et al. Follow-up Care, Surveillance Protocol, and Secondary Prevention Measures for Survivors of Colorectal Cancer. Toronto: Cancer Care Ontario; 201242.

^bReferenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines^®) for Colon Cancer V.2.2015. Copyright © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc 2014. All rights reserved. Accessed [March 20, 2015]. To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org. NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE CANCER NETWORK^®, NCCN^®, NCCN GUIDELINES^®, and all other NCCN Content are trademarks owned by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc.43 Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines^®) for Rectal Cancer V.2.2015. Copyright © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc 2014. All rights reserved. Accessed [March 20, 2015]. To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org. NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE CANCER NETWORK^®, NCCN^®, NCCN GUIDELINES^®, and all other NCCN Content are trademarks owned by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc.44 Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines^®) for Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Colorectal V.2.2014. Copyright © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc 2014. All rights reserved. Accessed [March 20, 2015]. To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org. NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE CANCER NETWORK^®, NCCN^®, NCCN GUIDELINES^®, and all other NCCN Content are trademarks owned by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc.104

^cCopyright © 2013, American Society of Clinical Oncology. Adapted with permission; from Meyerhardt JA, Mangu PB, Flynn PJ, et al. Follow-up care, surveillance protocol, and secondary prevention measures for survivors of colorectal cancer: American Society of Clinical Oncology clinical practice guideline endorsement. Journal Clinical Oncology. 2013;31(35):4465–4470.

^dData from Labianca et al.45

^eData from Glimelius et al.46

^fData from Poston et al.47

^gCopyright © 2001, Cancer Council Australia. Adapted with permission; from Cancer Council Australia Colonoscopy Surveillance working Party. Clinical Practice Guidelines for Surveillance Colonoscopy – In Adenoma Follow-Up; Following Curative Resection of Colorectal Cancer; and for Cancer Surveillance in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Sydney: Cancer Council Australia; 2011.48

^hCopyright © 2001, New Zealand Guidelines Group. Adapted with permission; from Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Early Colorectal Cancer. wellington: New Zealand Guidelines Group; 2011.49

^jData from Cairns et al.50;

^kData from watanabe et al.51

Abbreviations: CEA, carcinoembryonic antigen; CEUS, contrast-enhanced ultrasound; CRC, colorectal cancer; CT, computed tomography; DRE, digital rectal examination; Dx, diagnosis; e, every; FOBT, fecal occult blood testing; HNPCC, hereditary nonpolyposis CRC; m, months; min, minimum; PET, positron emission tomography; Tx, treatment; y, years; NED, no evidence of disease; ASCO, American Society of Clinical Oncology; ESMO, European Society of Medical Oncology; ULAR, ultra-low anterior resection.

Table 2.

Example schedule for surveillance following curative treatment for colorectal cancer

Months after treatment	1 year				2 years				3 years				4 years				5 years
	3	6	9	12	15	18	21	24	27	30	33	36	39	42	45	48	51	54	57	60
History, physical, CEA	(x)	x	(x)	x	(x)	x	(x)	x	(x)	x	(x)	x		x		x		x		x
Colonoscopy	(x)			x								x
Abdominal/chest CT				x				x				x
Procto/rectosigmoidoscopy*		x		x		x		x		(x)		(x)		(x)		(x)		(x)		(x)
Pelvic CT*				x				x				x				(x)				(x)

Notes:

^*For rectal cancer only; x = recommended; (x) = recommended by some guidelines only.

Abbreviations: CEA, carcinoembryonic antigen; CT, computed tomography.

Surveillance

Most of the research and evidence after initial treatment for CRC has focused on surveillance for the early identification of recurrent disease. While it may be intuitive that earlier detection will lead to better outcomes, this assumption requires that a number of conditions are met. For any surveillance program to be meaningful, recurrence would have to be detected before it is symptomatic, earlier detection would have to lead to effective treatment and better outcomes, and patients would have to be willing and able to undergo further treatment.52

There is evidence that each of CEA testing, colonoscopy, and CT imaging lead to increased detection of asymptomatic recurrence and a higher rate of surgery for recurrence.53 Nearly all guidelines recommend “intensive” follow-up based on a combination of these surveillance strategies. The two most recent meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials of follow-up after curative resection report significant improvements in all-cause mortality with more intensive follow-up.54,55 However, neither of these meta-analyses found that intensive follow-up improved cancer-specific survival. More recently, a randomized controlled trial conducted in the UK reported that there was little difference in overall survival between a group allocated to minimum follow-up following curative treatment for CRC and those allocated to CEA alone, CT alone, or CEA + CT.56 A systematic review completed in 2011 concluded that the literature on the efficacy of surveillance in CRC was inconclusive due to small sample sizes and heterogeneity in the frequency of surveillance.57 An overlap in what is considered intensive and non-intensive strategies between randomized controlled trials is a likely contributor to the discrepancy in guideline recommendations for frequency.

Some national guidelines note that surveillance measures should only apply to patients who are amenable for resection of recurrent disease58 or who do not have severe comorbid conditions that would preclude further aggressive treatment.11 However, the effectiveness of surgery and systemic therapy following detection of recurrence is not well explored. While those receiving surgery for recurrent colon cancer have been reported to have a 5-year survival of up to 30%,12 the prognosis for pelvic recurrent rectal cancer is dismal,59 though can be improved by radical surgery such as pelvic exenteration.60,61 Despite clear differences in natural history of recurrence by tumor site, most guidelines only issue a site-specific recommendation for pelvic CT. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), who produce separate guidelines for colon and rectal cancer, note the overall dearth of evidence for surveillance in rectal cancer.44 Rectosigmoid cancer accounts for nearly 9% of CRC cases; however, follow-up strategies for these patients are only discussed in the JSCCR (Japanese Society for Cancer of the Colon and Rectum) guidelines.51 In addition, European guidelines state that follow-up should depend on a number of factors including perioperative treatment,58 which will differ by cancer site as well as other clinical characteristics.

Consequently, a number of guidelines suggest tailoring surveillance plans based on the presumed risk of recurrence. It may be that patient groups who would benefit from more intensive surveillance strategies are obscured within large, heterogeneous study populations.62 Although stratifying patients by risk would likely reduce costs and spare certain patients some of the morbidity associated with surveillance, there is little research evidence in this area.63 The NCCN and Cancer Council Australia suggest more intensive follow-up for patient groups such as those with family history and suspected hereditary nonpolyposis CRC.43,48 However, as pointed out in a letter to the editor response to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) guidelines, studies have consistently shown that cancer patients with the highest risk of recurrence, especially because of node positivity, are the least likely to be cured.64 It is also plausible that patients at greater risk of recurrence as a result of suboptimal initial cancer treatment, for example, may also be at increased risk of poorer follow-up care and outcomes.

Cost-effectiveness goes largely unaddressed in most of the guidelines, though it is likely a major cause of difference in follow-up practices between regions. Ku et al65 document a series of recommendations for the application of follow-up strategies in Asian countries with different levels of health care resources and economic development. The Ontario guidelines suggest that abdominal ultrasound and chest X-ray can be substituted if local resources preclude the use of CT.42 As part of the Australian guidelines, an analysis of the estimated additional costs of surveillance colonoscopies with more intensive guidelines was performed, as well as a review of 18 existing economic studies.48 This review concluded that there is some evidence that more frequent or earlier follow-up is cost-effective compared with strategies with minimal follow-up. In contrast, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines place a greater emphasis on personal costs, with a recommendation to cease regular follow-up when the patient and the health care professional agree that the likely benefits no longer outweigh the risks of further tests.47 The effects of CRC surveillance in terms of somatic complications, negative psychosocial consequences, and the impact of false positive or false negative tests, are outlined in a recent systematic review.66 In particular, the review highlights the risks of colonoscopy-related colonic perforation and post-procedure bleeding, the limited evidence that CRC follow-up improves quality of life among survivors, and the potential for increased long-term anxiety following false positive screening results.

Intervention and prevention

Most of the CRC clinical practice guidelines refer only briefly to the management of physical and psychosocial side effects or the prevention of recurrent and new cancers. However, there is growing awareness that optimal cancer follow-up care involves more than surveillance tests. Several symptom-based guidelines for follow-up care now exist, as well as general survivorship guidelines for care across all cancer types.

In April of this year (2014), ASCO issued three clinical practice guidelines on the prevention and management of symptoms that affect many cancer survivors – chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy,67 fatigue,68 and anxiety and depression.69 While a number of other organizations have published guidelines for the psychosocial care of cancer patients,70 bone health,71 and cancer pain,72 these do not focus on follow-up care. A pan-Canadian guideline reviewing survivorship services for adult cancer populations was released in 2011.73 However, the NCCN issued the first comprehensive adult survivorship guidelines in 2013.74 These drew on previous NCCN symptom-based publications and were designed to provide guidance for screening, evaluation, and treatment across the range of survivor health needs.

The current NCCN survivorship guidelines recommend that all survivors should be periodically screened for symptoms related to cancer and cancer treatment, with appropriate follow-up care as clinically indicated, while noting that not all issues can be addressed at every visit.30 A number of validated tools for screening of long-term and late physical and psychosocial effects are suggested, including the SF-SUNS (Short Form Survivor Unmet Needs Survey)75 and the QLACS (Quality of Life in Adult Cancer Survivors).76 However, it is also noted that screening is not an effective strategy unless there is adequate follow-up referral and access to treatment. For example, a recent review reported that screening for distress led to improved patient outcomes only where trials were linked with mandatory referral or intervention.77

There is evidence from randomized controlled trials for the effectiveness of interventions to lessen symptoms such as depression, fatigue, pain, and sleep disorders in cancer survivors.78 Findings from meta-analyses indicate that exercise training provides a small overall reduction in depressive symptoms79 and that there is some evidence to support the use of mindfulness-based therapy for anxiety and depression.80 Data supporting the efficacy of increased physical activity for reducing fatigue are strong.81 Results of psychosocial interventions for fatigue are mixed, though promising for some approaches including cognitive-behavioral and supportive-expressive therapy.82 Both exercise and psychosocial interventions may also assist with sleep disturbances in survivors.83,84

However, the evidence base supporting screening and intervention are limited in a number of areas of survivorship. There is no screening tool with adequate sensitivity for detecting cancer-associated cognitive dysfunction in asymptomatic cancer survivors, and there is a lack of quality data for interventions in cancer survivors who complain of cognitive dysfunction.30 The evidence for treating female sexual dysfunction in survivorship populations, and for reducing pain with psychosocial and behavioral interventions, is also limited.30 Overall, intervention trials in survivorship populations tend to be few, small, and/or heterogeneous. For example, a single larger randomized trial forms the basis for the lone clinical recommendation by the ASCO in the treatment of peripheral neuropathy.67 While few studies have reported an intervention specifically designed to reduce the commonly reported fear of cancer recurrence, a multicenter randomized controlled trial is currently underway in Australia.85

The NCCN state that their recommendations for survivorship care are based on evidence from randomized controlled trials, but that extrapolation from other populations was deemed appropriate where evidence for survivorship populations was lacking.30 The majority of trials continue to be conducted on patients who are receiving treatment or who are in the immediate post-treatment period. Jacobsen86 argues that overall conclusions of systematic reviews of psychosocial interventions for cancer patients are of limited value to everyday clinical practice as a result of heterogeneity of both interventions and patient characteristics. Furthermore, while there is a growing evidence base for the effectiveness of rehabilitation targeting single symptoms, the evidence for multidimensional interventions is scarce and dominated by breast cancer studies.87 It is likely that a combination of interventions, adjusted to the survivor’s individual needs, is required to improve quality of life.

In the area of secondary prevention, most of the CRC practice guidelines state that their recommendations are based on lower level evidence. Nevertheless, it is commonly suggested that patients should be counseled on maintaining a healthy bodyweight, being physically active, eating a healthy diet, and smoking cessation. Evidence from observational studies suggests that a low-fat, high-fiber diet might be protective against cancer recurrence and progression.88 A systematic review and meta-analysis in breast and CRC determined that physical activity performed before or after a cancer diagnosis can reduce mortality risk.89 The mechanism of benefit from diet and physical activity likely relates to bodyweight, with excess weight being a risk factor which is modifiable through lifestyle.88 Preliminary evidence from randomized controlled trials suggests that exercise may also result in beneficial changes in the circulating level of insulin, inflammation, and possibly immunity.90 In addition, smoking cessation has the potential to improve prognosis, given that continued smoking after CRC diagnosis has been linked to poorer survival.91

The majority of CRC survivors die of other causes.92 Consequently, care for general medical and other preventive health issues should be of equal importance in the context of cancer care. A meta-analysis undertaken by Renehan et al93 estimated that only a small proportion of the survival benefit of intensive surveillance was due to curative treatment of recurrence, hypothesizing that the majority was probably due to the effect of more regular and intense contact facilitating detection and management of comorbidities, dietary and lifestyle changes, and psychological support and wellbeing. Increased follow-up also provides the opportunity for immunization and detecting and treating infections, which can be an issue for cancer survivors because of immune suppression associated with some cancer treatments.30

Care coordination

From 2015, hospital cancer programs accredited by the American College of Surgeons will be required to develop and disseminate survivorship care plans for all patients.94 As discussed previously, these care plans allow for the coordination of follow-up care between different providers across the areas of surveillance, intervention, and prevention. It is likely that facilitating good communication between oncology and primary care providers will result in greater continuity of care and improved patient outcomes. Nevertheless, definitive data supporting the benefits of survivorship care plans are lacking.

Cancer Care Ontario conducted a review of models of care in cancer survivorship in 2012.95 The authors report that there are few studies involving randomized comparisons between distinct model types, and that the quality and completeness of reporting is uneven. In colon cancer, one study found that there were no significant differences between survivors followed by a community-based family physician and those followed by an institutional-based specialist for rates of recurrence, time to detection of recurrence, rates of death, or physical, psychosocial, or quality of life components.96 Institution-based nurse-coordinated follow-up is another alternative that has been shown to be successful in breast cancer.97 A nurse-led survivorship care package is currently being evaluated in a randomized controlled trial for CRC survivors in Australia.98

Future perspectives

The goal of developing clinical practice guidelines is to improve the quality of health care by identifying and promoting the adoption of the best health care practices.86 The process of developing guidelines also reveals limitations of the existing evidence base and thus directions for future research. This article has highlighted aspects of CRC survivorship care where stronger evidence is needed to optimize surveillance, intervention, and secondary prevention. In particular, further work is needed to identify the most effective and cost-effective models of follow-up care to meet the needs of the growing number of CRC survivors.

In order for the growing evidence base to translate into improved outcomes for patients, care must be optimized for all survivors regardless of age, socioeconomic or cultural background, and geographical location. The literature certainly suggests that there is room for improvement, with variation in the application of guidelines noted in a number of areas of follow-up care.99–102 One of the key difficulties clinicians face is interpreting and applying literature that quickly becomes out of date relative to the available medical technology.52 However, rapid technological evolution also has its benefits. Strides are currently being made in identifying biomarkers that will better identify and target patients at greatest risk of recurrence.103 While recurrence will remain a key element of follow-up care, shifting the focus to incorporate the range of survivorship issues will also be important for ensuring widespread support and policy implementation in all areas of quality care.