Follow-up strategies in head and neck cancer other than upper aerodigestive tract squamous cell carcinoma

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2013 Jul;270(7):1981-9. doi: 10.1007/s00405-012-2220-3. Epub 2012 Oct 26.

Abstract

Post-therapy follow-up for patients with head and neck cancer other than upper aerodigestive tract squamous cell carcinoma should meet several objectives: to detect both local, regional or distant recurrences, to evaluate acute and long-term treatment-related side effects, to guide the rehabilitation process, and to provide psychosocial support when needed. To our knowledge, there are no published reports in the literature dedicated to the follow-up of patients with these tumours. A comprehensive literature search for post-treatment follow-up strategies spanning from 1980 to 2012 was performed on several databases. This review focuses on malignant salivary gland tumors, soft tissue sarcomas, cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas, and sinonasal adenocarcinomas. Given the varying biological behavior and treatment-related factors and based on the literature, different recommendations are made on the follow-up of patients with the above-mentioned tumors.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / therapy
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / therapy
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Melanoma / therapy
  • Melanoma, Cutaneous Malignant
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / diagnosis*
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / diagnosis*
  • Sarcoma / therapy
  • Skin Neoplasms