Routine follow-up of breast cancer patients.

The outcome of routine follow-up of women treated for breast cancer by mastectomy has been analysed. Over 157 woman-years of follow-up, 315 routine visits were made by 33 women who had been subjected to mastectomy. At these routine clinics two asymptomatic recurrences were diagnosed. Both of these patients died within 2 years of relapse. At 26 routine clinic visits, a diagnosis other than recurrence of breast cancer was made. Routine follow-up of women treated for breast cancer by mastectomy has limited value.