title: A half-yearly chest radiograph for early detection of lung cancer following oral cancer.
abstract: In a retrospective analysis of 339 patients, treated with a curative intention for a squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity between 1988-1996, the value of a half-yearly routine chest radiograph during the first 2 years of follow-up, was evaluated. Metastatic or primary lung malignancies developed in 18 (5.3%) of the 339 patients in the first 2 years of the follow-up. In 11 (3.2%) patients these malignancies were detected on routine chest radiographs while in 7 (2.0%) patients these were detected on chest radiographs taken because of pulmonary complaints. The mean survival after detection of the pulmonary malignancy was 8 months. All patients died within 21 months, independent of pathology or therapy. No correlation was found between stage, location or differentiation of the primary tumour. As a result of this study it can be concluded that there is no benefit for the patient for a 6-month thoracic radiograph in routine follow-up for patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. It gives false certainty and burdens the health care system.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011379:Prognosis; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D015996:Survival Rate; D019564:Unnecessary Procedures