Long term follow-up of primary lung cancer permits a high resection rate of second cancers with a curative intent

7282 Background: Guidelines for lung cancer follow-up are not clearly established and the interest of such a policy is unclear. Methods: A retrospective study of the clinical charts, X-rays and lab tests results of 218 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of primary lung cancer diagnosed between 1999 and 2003 at our institution were reviewed. At the time of treatment completion all patients underwent complete staging and then entered routine follow-up every 3 months for 1 year, every 6 months the second year and then yearly until 5 years. At each clinic visit patients had full clinical examination, complete blood tests, and CT scans of the chest, upper abdomen and CNS. Bronchoscopy was left at the discretion of the physician in charge of the patient. Each visit was assigned by a multidisciplinary panel a score of no evidence of disease (NED), sustained partial response (OR) or tumor control (SD), tumor progression, or second primary cancer. Non-tumoral events were described accordingly. Results: Median a...