Breast cancer "tailored follow-up" in Italian oncology units: a web-based survey.

Natoli C, Adamo V, Airoldi M, Amoroso D, Angelini F, Angiolini C, Angiolucci G, Ardizzoia A, Baldini E, Ballardini P, Barni S, Barone C, Battelli N, Bernardi D, Bianchetti S, Bianco N, Biglia N, Bilancia D, Biti G, Boni C, Bordonaro R, Botta M, Bretti S, Brunello A, Brunetti C, Bruno D, Bucci E, Buzzoni R, Cagossi K, Cappelletti C, Cappuzzo F, Cardillo F, Carroccio R, Cascinu S, Cavanna L, Cianchetti E, Clerico M, Contu A, Corsi D, Cortesi L, Cretella E, Crispino S, Di Lieto M, Di Lullo L, Durini E, Fabi A, Failla G, Fattorusso S, Ferraù F, Ferro A, Ficorella C, Fogazzi G, Foglietta J, Francini G, Fusco O, Gennari A, Ghiani M, Gianni L, Giordano M, Giotta F, Giuliani R, Gori S, Graiff C, Guarneri V, Guarneri D, Guglielmi F, Landriscina M, Laudadio L, Lombardo M, Longo F, Macellari G, Madeddu C, Magnanini S, Maiorino L, Mangiameli A, Marini G, Massidda B, Mattioli R, Michelotti A, Molino A, Montesarchio V, Morale A, Murgo R, Naso G, Natale D, Orditura M, Orrù S, Pace R, Palazzo A, Palma F, Pancotti A, Pandoli G, Papaldo P, Parisi AM, Passalacqua R, Pellegrino A, Perrucci B, Proietti E, Recchia F, Riccardi F, Rispoli AI, Rocca A, Romaniello I, Rossetti R, Rossi D, Rosti G, Ruggeri EM, Russo A, Savarino A, Savastano C, Scognamiglio G, Scognamiglio M, Seminara P, Serrachini S, Sidoti V, Silva RR, Surace G, Tomao S, Tonini G, Trenta P, Turazza M, Valenza R, Veltri E, Zampa G, Zaniboni A, Zanirato S. Author information Abstract PURPOSE: Breast cancer follow-up procedures after primary treatment are still a controversial issue. Aim of this study was to investigate, through a web-based survey, surveillance methodologies selected by Italian oncologists in everyday clinical practice. METHODS: Referents of Italian medical oncology units were invited to participate to the study via e-mail through the SurveyMonkey website. Participants were asked how, in their institution, exams of disease staging and follow-up are planned in asymptomatic women and if surveillance continues beyond the 5th year. RESULTS: Between February and May 2013, 125 out of 233 (53.6%) invited referents of Italian medical oncology units agreed to participate in the survey. Ninety-seven (77.6%) referents state that modalities of breast cancer follow-up are planned according to the risk of disease progression at diagnosis and only 12 (9.6%) oncology units apply the minimal follow-up procedures according to international guidelines. Minimal follow-up is never applied in high risk asymptomatic women. Ninety-eight (78.4%) oncology units continue follow-up in all patients beyond 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Our survey shows that 90.4% of participating Italian oncology units declare they do not apply the minimal breast cancer follow-up procedures after primary treatment in asymptomatic women, as suggested by national and international guidelines. Interestingly, about 80.0% of interviewed referents performs the so called "tailored follow-up", high intensity for high risk, low intensity for low risk patients. There is an urgent need of randomized clinical trials able to determine the effectiveness of risk-based follow-up modalities, their ideal frequency and persistence in time.