Follow-up after curative treatment for oral squamous cell carcinoma. A critical appraisal of the guidelines and a review of the literature

Publication date: May 2018
Source:European Journal of Surgical Oncology, Volume 44, Issue 5
Author(s): M.T. Brands, P.A. Brennan, A.L.M. Verbeek, M.A.W. Merkx, S.M.E. Geurts
The oral cavity is the commonest subsite of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Because of the rising incidence and increasing survival, more patients will be enrolled in a routine follow-up program. This review gives an overview of the evidence and guideline recommendations concerning follow-up after oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).There is limited evidence concerning the effectiveness of follow-up after OSCC. This lack of evidence is reflected in a variation in guideline recommendations with respect to test interval and duration (i.e. for 3-5 years or lifelong).Most studies on the value of routine follow-up after curative treatment include all HNSCC subsites. The available literature shows, that these subsites have a different timing of recurrence and a different risk of second primary tumors at different locations. This leaves no rationale for applying the same follow-up program to each of the HNSCC subsites. There is agreement in the literature that OSCC follow-up can either be discontinued after two or three years or should be lifelong based on the risk of second primary tumors. Many authors advocate a personalized follow-up regimen that is based on the risk of new disease rather than a one-size-fits-all surveillance program. The literature is conflicting about the survival benefits of asymptomatic detection of new disease for HNSCC.To aid the development of evidence-based follow-up advise after OSCC, future research should focus on risk stratification, the value of symptom-free detection of recurrences and the active role that patients might play in determining their own follow-up regimen.



https://ift.tt/2JJ64Jt