title: The role of panendoscopy in the management of mucosal head and neck malignancy-a prospective evaluation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is common practice for a panendoscopy to be included in the evaluation of patients with mucosal head and neck malignancies. Whether this intervention is efficient or cost-effective has not been established in our patient population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred twenty-four patients with squamous cell carcinoma involving the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, or neck were evaluated prospectively with panendoscopy and chest x-ray with or without barium swallow. One hundred fifty-four patients had newly diagnosed tumors and 70 were previously diagnosed and currently undergoing symptom-directed investigations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of synchronous primary tumors was 2.6% (4 of 154); pulmonary, 1.3%; head and neck mucosa, 1.3%; and esophageal, 0%. There was no associated morbidity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although there was no associated morbidity, our head and neck oncology group is of the opinion that routine panendoscopy is not warranted. Specific indications for this investigation are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Sunnybrook & Women's College Health Sciences Centre, Department of Otolaryngology, Toronto, Ontario.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Irish
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Witterick
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Birt
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gullane
mesh_terms: D001466:Barium Sulfate; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003287:Contrast Media; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000175:diagnosis; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D001466:Barium Sulfate