Ulf Zätterström1, Morten Boysen2, Jan Folkvard Evensen3. 1. Department of Oto-rhino-laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Oslo University Hospital (OUS), Radiumhospitalet, Oslo, Norway uzatterstrom@gmail.com. 2. Department of Oto-rhino-laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Oslo University Hospital (OUS), Radiumhospitalet, Oslo, Norway. 3. Department of Cancer Treatment, Oslo University Hospital (OUS), Radiumhospitalet, Oslo, Norway.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is little evidence to prove that frequent out-patient consultations lead to better prognosis in patients treated for oral squamous cell carcinoma. Furthermore, there is no consensus regarding the timing and number of follow-up consultations or the duration of monitoring after completed therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively recorded demographic and clinical data of 537 patients treated over a period of 15 years with complete follow-up of 18 years in a tertiary academic Center. RESULTS: Out of 537 patients considered free of disease after treatment, 196 (36%) developed recurrent disease during follow-up. Self-reported symptoms led to diagnosis of the recurrence in 78% of the cases. Only 22% of recurrences were detected through physical examination of asymptomatic patients. There was no difference in disease-free survival in-between these two groups. CONCLUSION: Follow-up routines are indispensable as part of cancer treatment but can be more cost-efficient when patients are educated and encouraged to report subjective symptoms. Trained personnel in collaboration with head and neck specialists can handle parts of follow-up routines. Copyright
BACKGROUND: There is little evidence to prove that frequent out-patient consultations lead to better prognosis in patients treated for oral squamous cell carcinoma. Furthermore, there is no consensus regarding the timing and number of follow-up consultations or the duration of monitoring after completed therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively recorded demographic and clinical data of 537 patients treated over a period of 15 years with complete follow-up of 18 years in a tertiary academic Center. RESULTS: Out of 537 patients considered free of disease after treatment, 196 (36%) developed recurrent disease during follow-up. Self-reported symptoms led to diagnosis of the recurrence in 78% of the cases. Only 22% of recurrences were detected through physical examination of asymptomatic patients. There was no difference in disease-free survival in-between these two groups. CONCLUSION: Follow-up routines are indispensable as part of cancer treatment but can be more cost-efficient when patients are educated and encouraged to report subjective symptoms. Trained personnel in collaboration with head and neck specialists can handle parts of follow-up routines. Copyright
Authors: Petr Szturz; Carl Van Laer; Christian Simon; Dirk Van Gestel; Jean Bourhis; Jan B Vermorken Journal: Front Oncol Date: 2020-05-06 Impact factor: 6.244
Authors: Olga Strachna; Marc A Cohen; Monica M Allison; David G Pfister; Nancy Y Lee; Richard J Wong; Sean M McBride; Raia R Mohammed; Elizabeth Kemeny; Fernanda C G Polubriaginof; Alyse Kassa; Michael Hannon; Jennifer R Cracchiolo Journal: Cancer Date: 2020-10-27 Impact factor: 6.860