Surveillance CT for head and neck cancer – pro

Surveillance CT scans are not recommended foir treated head and neck cancer. Multiple studies show that the routine follow-up program after treatment for laryngeal carcinoma did not lead to survival benefit for asymptomatic patients with tumor recurrence. A proven correlation between intensive follow-up and improved patient survival is lacking and should be consdiered unproven and investigtional at this time. NCCN recommend imaging of the primary site and neck within 6 months and afterwards only if clinically indicated.
Manikantan K, Khode S, Dwivedi RC, et al. Making sense of post-treatment surveillance in head and neck cancer: when and what of follow-up. Cancer Treat Rev 2009; 35:744.
Joshi A, Calman F, O’Connell M, et al. Current trends in the follow-up of head and neck cancer patients in the UK. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) 2010; 22:114.
Ritoe SC, de Vegt F, Scheike IM, et al. Effect of routine follow-up after treatment for laryngeal cancer on life expectancy and mortality: results of a Markov model analysis. Cancer 2007; 109:239.
Francis DO, Yueh B, Weymuller EA Jr, Merati AL. Impact of surveillance on survival after laryngeal cancer in the medicare population. Laryngoscope 2009; 119:2337.

 

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