What follow-up protocols should be considered for patients treated for sarcoma to monitor for recurrence?

Follow-up protocols for patients treated for sarcoma to monitor for recurrence should include regular clinical review and imaging tailored to the sarcoma subtype and risk of recurrence. Although the provided context does not specify sarcoma follow-up directly, general principles from UK cancer follow-up guidelines emphasize the importance of scheduled outpatient reviews to assess symptoms and perform appropriate imaging when indicated, to detect recurrence early.

Typically, follow-up involves:

• Regular clinical appointments at planned intervals to assess for symptoms and signs of recurrence.
• Imaging surveillance such as MRI, CT, or ultrasound depending on the sarcoma location and risk profile, to detect local or metastatic recurrence.
• Personalized follow-up plans based on individual risk factors, histological subtype, and treatment received.

Patients should also be monitored for late effects of treatment, including secondary malignancies and functional impairments, with appropriate referrals as needed.

Given the lack of direct sarcoma-specific follow-up protocols in the provided context, it is recommended to follow specialist sarcoma multidisciplinary team guidance and NICE cancer follow-up principles, which advocate for active monitoring with clinical and radiological review tailored to the individual patient.