Follow-up investigations in urologic oncology have a number of different objectives, with the literature possibly placing too much emphasis on the early detection of recurrences. Although everyone considers this to be the most important goal, it often lacks a solid scientific basis. Apart from the detection of recurrences, the literature presents other goals with respect to the follow-up of patients after nephrectomy due to renal cell carcinoma: evaluation of the therapy, advice and counselling, and training. These objectives provide sufficient reason to see the uro-oncologic patient for outpatients' check-ups on a regular basis. The follow-up scheme can often be specifically tailored to the individual patient.