A retrospective review of cancer surveillance in 100 head and neck
cancer patients: Is there scope for a more tailored approach?
Abstract
5 succinct/key points 1. There is a considerable burden to outpatient
head and neck cancer (HaNC) surveillance, and it is unclear to what
extent the current recommendations facilitate the detection of HaNC. 2.
Our 100 patient retrospective analysis demonstrated three asymptomatic
recurrences (all within the first year of follow up) and 20 symptomatic
recurrences (mean time to recurrence of 21.4 months). 3. Seventy-four
percent of those patients who recurred did so within the first two years
following primary treatment, increasing up to 83% by three years. 4. We
believe the value of routine follow up is more apparent within the first
two to three years following primary treatment as this is when the rate
of recurrence is highest. 5. We anticipate larger trials investigating
the efficacy of an initial two years of frequent follow up followed by
longer-term patient-led follow up.