SURVEILLANCE OF TREATED GYNECOLOGY CANCER S

Monitoring patients who have been treated for gynecology cancer is a c ontroversial issue. The aim is to detect treatable relapses, identify complications of the initial treatment and screen for second cancers. Although the objectives may be theoretically valid, the real cost/bene fit relationship and psychological impact cannot be ignored. We presen t here our surveillance scheme at the Gustave-Roussy Institute with de tailed modalities for each type of gynecology cancer. For some, our sc heme may appear excessive during the first years following initial tre atment, but it is during this time that most relapses occur. A pluridi siplinary approach is essential, associating the efforts of the surgic al, radiotherapy, gynecology and oncology teams with those of the atte nding physician and patient.