Discrepancies of current recommendations in breast cancer follow-up: a systematic review

Introduction

Management and optimal follow-up of early breast cancer survivors remain up to this day a challenge due to the lack of well-established guidelines. Multiple medical societies, organizations and working groups have provided recommendations for follow-up but there is no uniform, globally approved algorithm to guide clinical practice.

Methods

A systematic review was performed to identify and evaluate discrepancies between available guidelines for the follow-up of breast cancer survivors.

Results

Differences in the follow-up schedule, laboratory and imaging investigations were noted. In the clinical practice setting, the situation is complicated further by clinicians who often request unnecessary tests not currently incorporated in any of the existing guidelines.

Conclusions

Follow-up of patients with early breast cancer needs to become standardized and prospective clinical trials focusing on optimal follow-up are more than mandatory.