Consensus statement on the surveillance of patients with gastrointestinal malignancies

Background Improvements in early detection, screening and treatment of cancer have resulted in a significant improvement in cancer mortality and an increase in the number of cancer survivors globally. Accordingly, a significant rise in the number of cancer survivors in Ireland has been observed. The surveillance of survivors of gastrointestinal malignancies in Ireland is heterogeneous and represents an unmet need for standardisation. Aims There are currently no national guidelines in Ireland to guide follow-up practices for these patients. The aim of this study was to establish homogeneity nationally with respect to follow-up of these patients by medical oncologists. Methods/results A consensus group consisting of Irish oncologists with an interest in gastrointestinal malignancies was created to address this issue, and determined that it would be reasonable to adopt the NCCN guidelines for this purpose, but that this recommendation would not be prescriptive, and should be individualised to each patient. Conclusion We hope that this initiative may help to homogenise survivorship practices in this cohort of Irish patients, and may support the implementation of survivorship initiatives by the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP).