The role of panendoscopy in the management of mucosal head and neck malignancy-a prospective evaluation.

Abstract

It is common practice for a panendoscopy to be included in the evaluation of patients with mucosal head and neck malignancies. Whether this intervention is efficient or cost-effective has not been established in our patient population. Two hundred twenty-four patients with squamous cell carcinoma involving the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, or neck were evaluated prospectively with panendoscopy and chest x-ray with or without barium swallow. One hundred fifty-four patients had newly diagnosed tumors and 70 were previously diagnosed and currently undergoing symptom-directed investigations. The incidence of synchronous primary tumors was 2.6% (4 of 154); pulmonary, 1.3%; head and neck mucosa, 1.3%; and esophageal, 0%. There was no associated morbidity. Although there was no associated morbidity, our head and neck oncology group is of the opinion that routine panendoscopy is not warranted. Specific indications for this investigation are discussed.