Role of chest CT in staging of oropharyngeal cancer: a systematic review.
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of synchronous or metastatic tumors in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) ranges from 6% to 20% and has implications for prognosis and management of the primary disease. There is no consensus about the role of chest CT prior to definitive treatment patients with HNSCC.


METHODS
A systematic review of all chest CT studies in relation to HNSCC was performed, together with a review of our local database.


RESULTS
Twenty-four studies were identified in addition to our local data. Prevalence of positive chest CT was 7.93%. Patients were significantly more likely to have a positive chest CT with N2 or N3 neck disease (p = .0062) and stage III or IV disease (p = .0001), and significantly less likely with tumors of the oral cavity (p = .0007).


CONCLUSIONS
We advocate chest CT as part of the initial investigations for patients with HNSCC.
McLeod
Niall M H
NM
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham, Portsmouth PO6 3LY, England, UK. niall_mcleod@yahoo.co.uk
Jess
Alex
A
Anand
Rajiv
R
Tilley
Elisabeth
E
Higgins
Bernie
B
Brennan
Peter A
PA
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000556:secondary*; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D009333:Neck; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000556:secondary*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed