[Annual chest X-ray in patients after treatment for laryngeal or oral cancer: only a limited number of second primary lung cancers detected].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the detection of second primary lung cancer in patients treated for laryngeal or oral cancer by means of the current annual chest radiography screening program.


METHODS
Retrospective follow-up.


METHODS
In a source population of Utrecht University Hospital consisting of patients treated for laryngeal or oral cancer, the occurrence of non-simultaneous second primary lung cancer was analysed. The charts of the patients who developed second primary lung cancer were reviewed with respect to diagnosis (either by means of routine annual chest radiography or triggered by symptoms and signs) and treatment of lung cancer. A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed for both routes of diagnosis and for each form of lung cancer treatment.


RESULTS
The source population consisted of 2067 patients. Second primary lung cancer was diagnosed in 44 patients (37 with laryngeal and 7 with oral cancer). In 21 patients lung cancer was diagnosed by means of annual chest radiography (routine group). The remaining 23 patients presented with symptoms and signs (symptomatic group). In 13 patients, surgery with curative intent was performed. These patients had the best prognosis. Of the surgical cases, 12 out of 13 patients (27% of the total of 44) were in the routine group. Patients in the routine group had better survival than those in the symptomatic group.


CONCLUSIONS
In view of the limited number of patients with second primary lung cancer and the small percentage of patients eligible for curative surgical treatment detected by annual radiography, screening in its present form is of little benefit.
Buwalda
J
J
Afd. Keel-, Neus- en Oorheelkunde, Academisch Ziekenhuis, Utrecht.
Zuur
C L
CL
Lubsen
H
H
Tijssen
J G
JG
Koole
R
R
Hordijk
G J
GJ
D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies
Jaarlijkse thoraxfoto bij patiënten na behandeling wegens een larynx- of een mondholtecarcinoom: slechts beperkt rendement ten aanzien van tweede primaire tumoren in de long.