Surveillance of breast cancer after primary treatment

Breast cancer occupies a serious part of routine oncological practice and medical care costs because of its high prevalance and long survival. Hence, surveillance after primary treatment should be based on evidence-based and cost-effective approach. Breast cancer recurrence can be seen as locoregional or systemic relapse, or both. The majority of relapses occur within first few years after treatment. Except mammography, laboratory and radiographic tests are not sensitive and specific enough for detecting recurrence. And early diagnosis of distant metastasis did not improved overall survival and quality of life in randomized clinical trials. Thus follow-up with clinical history, physical examination, patient education and annual mammography and pelvic examination is satisfactory for asymptomatic breast cancer patients after primary treatment.