Significance of self-reported symptoms as part of follow-up routines in patients treated for oral squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: There is little evidence to prove that frequent out-patient consultations lead to better prognosis in patients treated for oral squamous cell carcinoma. Furthermore, there is no consensus regarding the timing and number of follow-up consultations or the duration of monitoring after completed therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively recorded demographic and clinical data of 537 patients treated over a period of 15 years with complete follow-up of 18 years in a tertiary academic Center.

RESULTS: Out of 537 patients considered free of disease after treatment, 196 (36%) developed recurrent disease during follow-up. Self-reported symptoms led to diagnosis of the recurrence in 78% of the cases. Only 22% of recurrences were detected through physical examination of asymptomatic patients. There was no difference in disease-free survival in-between these two groups.

CONCLUSION: Follow-up routines are indispensable as part of cancer treatment but can be more cost-efficient when patients are educated and encouraged to report subjective symptoms. Trained personnel in collaboration with head and neck specialists can handle parts of follow-up routines.