RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Significance of Self-reported Symptoms as Part of Follow-up Routines in Patients Treated for Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
JF Anticancer Research
JO Anticancer Res
FD International Institute of Anticancer Research
SP 6593
OP 6599
VO 34
IS 11
A1 ZÄTTERSTRÖM, ULF
A1 BOYSEN, MORTEN
A1 EVENSEN, JAN FOLKVARD
YR 2014
UL http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/34/11/6593.abstract
AB 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.