Screening for cancers of the head and neck: addressing the problem. Surg Oncol Clin N Am 1999 Oct;8(4):725-34, vii
Date
08/24/1999Pubmed ID
10452937DOI
10.1016/s1055-3207(18)30185-6Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0032830284 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 6 CitationsAbstract
More than 90% of upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) cancers occur in people with specific lifestyle risks, including tobacco and alcohol use. More than 90% of tumors occur in easily examined parts of the head and neck, therefore, there is the possibility of identifying the vast majority of patients through selective screening. Physicians should keep in mind that the mucosa's sojourn from visually suspicious (and possibly malignant) tissue is most likely less than two years, and frequent examination of asymptomatic patients is necessary. When patients wait to bring symptoms to medical attention, their cancers will be advanced 60% of the time when the chance of cure is less than 30%. Given the difficulty of implementing regular examinations in a poorly compliant, high risk population, genetic and molecular screening tools may allow very high risk individuals to be identified.
Author List
Ellison MD, Campbell BHAuthor
Bruce H. Campbell MD Emeritus Professor in the Otolaryngology department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Alcohol DrinkingDisease Progression
Genetic Testing
Head and Neck Neoplasms
Humans
Life Style
Mass Screening
Molecular Biology
Neoplasm Staging
Prognosis
Risk Factors
Smoking
Time Factors
Treatment Refusal
