Randall P Morton1, K David Hay, Andrew Macann. 1. Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Oral Medicine, and Radiation Oncology, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland Regional Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Unit, Auckland, New Zealand. RPMorton@middlemore.co.nz
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the rationale and evidence for maintaining clinical contact with patients who have received curative treatment for head and neck cancer. RECENT FINDINGS: Very little work has been published in the scientific literature on this subject. Most information regarding follow-up care has focused on survival outcomes rather than the rationale for, or cost-effectiveness of, routine surveillance of head and neck cancer patients. Perhaps this is because there seems to be very little controversy. A large survey of surgeons has revealed a diminishing frequency of follow-up with time after treatment, although with variance in respect of specific investigations such as bone scans. Notwithstanding the current paper identifies areas that need to be considered when decisions are made regarding the scheduling of follow-up appointments SUMMARY: Regular post-treatment surveillance is important for patients' general well-being and for the management of late complications of treatment in long-term survivors. It is unclear whether surveillance provides any survival advantage; this information requires the sort of clinical trial that has been conducted for tumors at other sites, such as colorectal cancer and breast cancer, but not head and neck cancers.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the rationale and evidence for maintaining clinical contact with patients who have received curative treatment for head and neck cancer. RECENT FINDINGS: Very little work has been published in the scientific literature on this subject. Most information regarding follow-up care has focused on survival outcomes rather than the rationale for, or cost-effectiveness of, routine surveillance of head and neck cancerpatients. Perhaps this is because there seems to be very little controversy. A large survey of surgeons has revealed a diminishing frequency of follow-up with time after treatment, although with variance in respect of specific investigations such as bone scans. Notwithstanding the current paper identifies areas that need to be considered when decisions are made regarding the scheduling of follow-up appointments SUMMARY: Regular post-treatment surveillance is important for patients' general well-being and for the management of late complications of treatment in long-term survivors. It is unclear whether surveillance provides any survival advantage; this information requires the sort of clinical trial that has been conducted for tumors at other sites, such as colorectal cancer and breast cancer, but not head and neck cancers.
Authors: Soon-Hyun Ahn; Hyun Jun Hong; Soon Young Kwon; Kee Hwan Kwon; Jong-Lyel Roh; Junsun Ryu; Jun Hee Park; Seung-Kuk Baek; Guk Haeng Lee; Sei Young Lee; Jin Choon Lee; Man Ki Chung; Young Hoon Joo; Yong Bae Ji; Jeong Hun Hah; Minsu Kwon; Young Min Park; Chang Myeon Song; Sung-Chan Shin; Chang Hwan Ryu; Doh Young Lee; Young Chan Lee; Jae Won Chang; Ha Min Jeong; Jae-Keun Cho; Wonjae Cha; Byung Joon Chun; Ik Joon Choi; Hyo Geun Choi; Kang Dae Lee Journal: Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol Date: 2017-01-03 Impact factor: 3.372
Authors: Callie Berkowitz; Deborah H Allen; Jennifer Tenhover; Leah L Zullig; John Ragsdale; Jonathan E Fischer; Kathryn I Pollak; Bridget F Koontz Journal: J Cancer Educ Date: 2018-12 Impact factor: 2.037