Role of chest CT in staging of oropharyngeal cancer: A systematic review

✍ Scribed by Niall M. H. McLeod; Alex Jess; Rajiv Anand; Elisabeth Tilley; Bernie Higgins; Peter A. Brennan

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2009
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 187 KB
• Volume: 31
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1043-3074
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.21004

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

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).

Conclusion.

We advocate chest CT as part of the initial investigations for patients with HNSCC. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2009