A 65-year-old man undergoes curative right hemicolectomy for stage II (T3N0M0) colon carcinoma. Histopathology shows microsatellite stable (MSS) disease with no high-risk features. According to current NCCN guidelines, what is the recommended follow-up surveillance protocol for the first 2 years?

• A CEA every 3 months and CT chest/abdomen/pelvis every 6 months
• B PET-CT every 6 months and CEA every 3 months
• C Colonoscopy at 1 year only
• D CEA every 3 to 6 months and CT chest/abdomen/pelvis annually ✓

Explanation

For resected stage II colon cancer, NCCN guidelines recommend CEA every 3 to 6 months and CT chest/abdomen/pelvis annually for up to 5 years, along with colonoscopy at 1 year (then at 3 years, then every 5 years). PET-CT is not part of routine surveillance. More frequent imaging is reserved for stage III or symptomatic patients. The combination of CEA and periodic CT provides the standard surveillance intensity.

Reference: NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Colon Cancer, 2024 ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.