title: Head and neck cancer screening among 4611 tobacco users older than forty years.
abstract: We implemented screening for squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx with symptom assessment and systematic inspection of the oral mucosa by primary care practitioners at health care sites serving inner-city residents of Boston; 4611 tobacco users older than 40 years were screened, and 313 with specific criteria were referred to otolaryngology for diagnostic evaluations. In these screened patients, the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions was almost 13% and prevalence of persistent hoarseness was more than 11%. Although the identification of these cancers was rare (nearly 3%), abnormal findings were seen in more than 70% of referred patients. These clinical and histologic diagnoses are described. We have documented the range of pathologic conditions in high-risk patients screened for upper aerodigestive tract malignancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Boston University School of Medicine, MA 02118-3294, USA.
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Prout
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Sidari
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Witzburg
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Grillone
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Vaughan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001706:Biopsy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*