Effectiveness of X-ray and computed tomography screening for assessing pulmonary involvement in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

There is currently no consensus on the use of chest X-ray and computer tomography for screening newly diagnosed cases of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. We recommend routine scanning of high-staged head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines should be reappraised.

A survey on pulmonary screening practices among otolaryngology-head & neck surgeons across Canada in the post treatment surveillance of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

“…Chest radiography is, however, likely to be out-dated, as previously shown by several groups [ 5 , 11 ]. Newer technologies now widely available such as computer tomography and positron emission tomography (PET/CT) are currently being evaluated as screening tools in HNSCC [ 4 , 5 , 12 - 14 ].…”

Radiologic extranodal spread and matted nodes: Important predictive factors for development of distant metastases in patients with high‐risk head and neck cancer

“…Loh et al evaluated screening of patients with HNSCC using chest CT and found clinically T4 and/or N2/3 to be risk factors for the development of distant metastases. Leong et al found, in their series of 102 patients who underwent screening by chest X‐ray and chest CT, that of the patients with positive screening, 86% had clinically T3 or T4 disease and 71% had clinically N2 or N3 disease. In 21% of patients with clinically advanced‐stage disease (T3/4 and/or N2/3), Haerle et al detected distant metastases by positron emission tomography (PET)‐CT and follow‐up.…”

Pretreatment screening on distant metastases and head and neck cancer patients: Validation of risk factors and influence on survival

“…These figures were significantly higher as compared to patients with tumors at other sites and lower T-or N-classifications [10]. Leong et al [11] found in their series of 102 patients who underwent screening by chest X-ray and CT that of the patients with positive screening, 86% had T3 or T4 disease and 71% had N2 or N3 disease.…”