Colorectal cancer patient follow-up following surgery with curative intent: The GILDA trial

3645 Background: Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for colorectal cancer. In western industrial societies most patients are treated with curative intent and enter some type of follow-up regimen. Surgeons often follow their own patients after colorectal cancer surgery but the optimum surveillance strategy has not been defined. There are no active adequately powered trials dealing with this topic originating in North America, as far as we are aware, but one based in Milan, Italy, is open (Gruppo Italiano di Lavoro per la Diagnosi Anticipata - GILDA). Methods: After primary curative-intent treatment, stratification, and randomization at GILDA headquarters, colon cancer patients are followed according to a more intensive or less intensive surveillance regimen. Rectal cancer patients are also followed according to a more intensive or less intensive regimen; these arms are similar to the arms for colon cancer patients but focus more on local-regional recurrence. To ensure adequate statistical power, the targ...