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\nhead and neck cancer (HaNC) surveillance, and it is unclear to what\nextent the current recommendations facilitate the detection of HaNC. 2.\nOur 100 patient retrospective analysis demonstrated three asymptomatic\nrecurrences (all within the first year of follow up) and 20 symptomatic\nrecurrences (mean time to recurrence of 21.4 months). 3. Seventy-four\npercent of those patients who recurred did so within the first two years\nfollowing primary treatment, increasing up to 83% by three years. 4. We\nbelieve the value of routine follow up is more apparent within the first\ntwo to three years following primary treatment as this is when the rate\nof recurrence is highest. 5. We anticipate larger trials investigating\nthe efficacy of an initial two years of frequent follow up followed by\nlonger-term patient-led follow up.