Follow-up of head and neck cancer patients post-radiotherapy.
Diverging opinions exist regarding follow-up studies post-radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. This report describes the efficacy of follow-up physical examinations, thyroid function tests and screening chest X-rays in post-radiotherapy patients in a practice analysis schema. This analysis suggests that physical examination and thyroid function testing remain valid parts of routine follow-up for head and neck cancer patients; chest X-rays appear less vital unless the patient's clinical situation warrants aggressive therapy of a second primary lung cancer.
Radiation Oncology Division, Naval Medical Center, San Diego, CA 92134-1014, USA.
William P
WP
O'Meara
Jon K
JK
Thiringer
Peter A S
PA
Johnstone
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000592:standards*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests