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Critical review of the follow-up protocol for head and neck cancer patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 April 2019

E Kytö ,
E Haapio ,
H Minn  and
H Irjala
E Kytö*
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Finland
E Haapio
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Finland
H Minn
Affiliation:
Department of Oncology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Finland
H Irjala
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Finland
*
Author for correspondence: Dr Eero Kytö, Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Kiinamyllynkatu 4–8, PL52 20521 Turku, Finland E-mail: [email protected] Fax: +358 231 3525
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Abstract

Objective

Head and neck cancer follow-up length, interval and content are controversial. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the follow-up protocol after curative treatment in head and neck cancer patients.

Method

Clinical data of 456 patients with new malignancy of the head and neck from a tertiary care centre district from 1999 to 2008 were analysed. Time from treatment, symptoms and second-line treatment outcomes of patients with recurrent disease were evaluated.

Results

A total of 94 (22 per cent) patients relapsed during the 5-year follow-up period; 90 per cent of recurrences were found within 3 years. Fifty-six per cent of the patients had subjective symptoms indicating a recurrence of the tumour. All recurrent tumours found during routine follow-up visits without symptoms were found within 34 months after completion of treatment.

Conclusion

Routine follow up after three years is questionable; recurrent disease beyond this point was detected in only 2 per cent of patients. In this study, all late tumour recurrences had symptoms of the disease. Easy access to extra follow-up visits when symptoms occur could cover the need for late follow up.

Keywords

Head And Neck CancerFollow-Up StudiesSurvivalRecurrence
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 133 , Issue 5 , May 2019 , pp. 424 - 429
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited, 2019 

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Footnotes

Dr E Kytö takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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