American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

Survivors of colorectal cancer should receive an annual abdominal/pelvic CT scan for how many years?

1. 3 years

2. 5 years

3. 10 years

4. Indefinitely

The correct answer is: 5 years

Survivors of colorectal cancer are recommended to undergo annual abdominal/pelvic CT scans for up to five years after the initial treatment. This period is crucial for monitoring for recurrence, as the majority of recurrences tend to occur within the first five years post-treatment. During this time, robust surveillance is essential to identify any potential metastasis or local recurrence early when intervention may be more effective. While some guidelines suggest that screening could continue beyond five years based on individual risk factors, the standard approach typically emphasizes the initial five years of annual imaging. This five-year timeframe balances the need for vigilance in monitoring while considering the potential risks and burdens of long-term imaging. After this period, the necessity for continued imaging is evaluated more on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the individual patient’s risk factors and previous medical history.