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Value of patient-reported symptoms in the follow up of patients potentially cured of laryngeal carcinoma

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 April 2019

J Brandstorp-Boesen ,
U Zätterström ,
J F Evensen  and
M Boysen
J Brandstorp-Boesen
Affiliation:
Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery and Clinical Neuroscience, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
U Zätterström
Affiliation:
Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery and Clinical Neuroscience, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
J F Evensen
Affiliation:
Section for Head and Neck Cancer, Radiumhospitalet, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
M Boysen*
Affiliation:
Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery and Clinical Neuroscience, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
*
Author for correspondence: Dr Morten Boysen, Telthusbakken 39, 0172 Oslo, Norway E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the significance of patients’ ability to recognise symptoms that signify recurrence.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted in Norway of demographic, clinical and follow-up data for patients with laryngeal carcinoma considered free of disease following treatment. The study included clinical data from 732 patients with glottic tumours and 249 patients with supraglottic tumours who were considered cured of disease. Data on the site, time and type of recurrence (symptomatic or asymptomatic) were retrieved.

Results

Recurrence was observed in 127 patients with glottic tumours and 71 with supraglottic tumours. A total of 103 glottic recurrences and 53 supraglottic recurrences were symptomatic. For patients with glottic carcinoma, recurrence detection through symptoms was associated with a favourable post-salvage survival rate compared with asymptomatic recurrences (p = 0.003).

Conclusion

A patient's ability to self-detect ‘red flag’ symptoms and self-initiate visits represents a previously ignored prognostic factor, and may rationalise follow up and improve survival.

Keywords

Head and Neck CancerRecurrenceTreatmentFollow-Up CareSurvivalPrognosis
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 133 , Issue 6 , June 2019 , pp. 508 - 514
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited, 2019 

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Footnotes

Dr M Boysen takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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