Oncologists' perception of residual cancer recurrence risk and recommended follow-up care.

151 Background: Many medical oncologists avoid using the word "cure" even at 20 years post-diagnosis. Little data has been reported on oncologists' perceptions of patients’ residual risk of recurrence and their recommendations for follow-up care. Methods: E-mail requests were sent to oncologists to review four brief case scenarios and to indicate their perception of the patients’ residual risk of recurrence (Essentially Zero, 1-10%, 11-25%, 26-50%, 51-75%, 76-100%) and their recommended follow-up care. We also conducted a literature review to estimate actual recurrence risks for these stated scenarios. Results: 130 medical oncologists responded. The percentage who perceived a zero or essentially zero risk of recurrence steadily increased at the 5,10, 15, and 20+ year post-diagnosis time points in patients with Stage II triple negative breast, Stage II colon, Stage II lung, and Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma. Follow-up for 20+ years was recommended by 43%, 27%, 32%, and 38% of respondents respectively. Amon...