Follow-up Care for Colon Cancer

Proper follow-up care for colon cancer is vital; the disease sometimes returns because undetected cancer cells remained somewhere in the body after treatment. Follow-up care for colon cancer consists of regular checkups and may include lab tests, x-rays, CT scans, and other tests.

Follow-up Care for Colon Cancer: An Overview

Follow-up care for colon cancer (after treatment has been completed) is important. Even when the cancer seems to have been completely removed or destroyed, the disease sometimes returns because undetected cancer cells remained somewhere in the body after treatment. As part of follow-up care for colon cancer, the doctor monitors the person's recovery and checks for recurrence of the cancer.
 

Checkups and Follow-up Care for Colon Cancer

Checkups help ensure that any changes in health are noted. Checkups may include a physical exam (including a digital rectal exam), lab tests (including fecal occult blood test and CEA test), colonoscopy, x-rays, CT scans, or other tests. Between scheduled checkups, patients should contact the doctor as soon as any health problems appear.
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
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