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Would you ever consider foregoing surveillance CT scans for resected stage II or III colon cancer in favor of circulating ctDNA assays?

1 Answer
Mednet Member
Medical Oncology
Answered on

As someone who was introduced to CEA in colon surveillance when discovered simultaneously by Gold and LoGerfo in the early 1970s, I am excited by the rapid acceptance of ctDNA in evaluation and management of colon cancer. We know that ctDNA can be positive up to 9 months before a CT scan demonstrates recurrence. However, until there is evidence of the benefit that treating "ctDNA recurrence" early without CT evidence, I feel that both should be simultaneously utilized. Evidence of ctDNA presence might cause us to shorten the interval between follow-up scans.