Question 1

What is the Meaning of Cancer Surveillance?

Accepted Answer

Cancer surveillance involves systematic monitoring of individuals who have completed primary cancer treatment or those at high risk for cancer development. Its purpose is to detect recurrence, new primary cancers, or treatment-related complications early, allowing for timely intervention and improved prognosis. This ongoing observation extends beyond active therapy.

Question 2

What is the Context of Cancer Surveillance?

Accepted Answer

Within the broader physiological landscape, cancer surveillance functions closely with the body's post-treatment recovery and ongoing cellular regulation. It acknowledges the potential for dormant cancer cells to reactivate or for new oncogenic processes to initiate, impacting various organ systems and metabolic functions previously affected by cancer or its therapies.

Question 3

What is the Significance of Cancer Surveillance?

Accepted Answer

This systematic follow-up holds substantial importance in clinical practice, directly influencing patient outcomes by enabling prompt identification of disease progression or secondary malignancies. Early detection through surveillance allows for less invasive treatments, mitigates symptom burden, and optimizes long-term survival rates, thereby enhancing the patient's quality of life after cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Question 4

What is the Mechanism of Cancer Surveillance?

Accepted Answer

The mechanism of cancer surveillance relies on scheduled clinical assessments, imaging studies, and laboratory analyses designed to identify specific markers or structural changes indicative of disease. This includes monitoring tumor markers, performing anatomical scans to detect abnormal growths, and conducting physical examinations to assess clinical signs, all contributing to a comprehensive picture of the patient's health status and potential cancer activity.

Question 5

What is the Application of Cancer Surveillance?

Accepted Answer

Clinically, cancer surveillance is applied through individualized follow-up schedules determined by cancer type, stage, and prior treatment. Protocols often specify the frequency of physical examinations, blood tests for tumor biomarkers, and diagnostic imaging such as CT, MRI, or PET scans. This proactive approach supports ongoing health management for individuals living beyond a cancer diagnosis.

Question 6

What is the Metric of Cancer Surveillance?

Accepted Answer

The effectiveness and status of cancer surveillance are measured using several key metrics. These include serial measurements of specific tumor biomarkers in serum (e.g., CEA, CA 19-9, PSA), results from radiological imaging (e.g., size changes in suspected lesions, appearance of new lesions), and clinical assessments of new or worsening symptoms. Pathological confirmation of suspicious findings remains the definitive metric.

Question 7

What is the Risk of Cancer Surveillance?

Accepted Answer

While beneficial, cancer surveillance carries potential risks including false-positive findings leading to unnecessary anxiety and invasive procedures, radiation exposure from frequent imaging, and the financial burden of ongoing tests. There is also the risk of over-diagnosis or over-treatment for indolent conditions, underscoring the need for careful risk-benefit assessment in each patient's surveillance plan.

Cancer Surveillance

Meaning

Context

Significance

Mechanism

Application

Metric

Risk

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