Head and Neck Cancer post treatment surveillance audit 2018

This study has been published here.


Abstract

Objectives: We aimed to audit current United Kingdom (UK) practice of Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) post-treatment surveillance against national guidelines, and determine the outcomes of these practices in detecting recurrence.

Design: National cross-sectional study of current HNC surveillance practice.

Setting: UK HNC outpatient departments.

Participants: HNC patients reviewed for post-treatment surveillance.

Main outcome measures: Compliance with UK multidisciplinary guidelines, and rates of cancer recurrence detection by time, clinic type and symptoms.

Results: Data were analysed from 5,123 consultations across 89 UK centres. 30% of consultations were in dedicated multidisciplinary clinics, with input from Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) available on the day in 23% of all consultations. Recurrence was suspected in 344 consultations and investigated with MRI in 29.6% (n=102) and PET-CT in 14.2% (n=49). Patient education regarding recurrence symptoms, and smoking and alcohol advice, was provided in 20.4%, 6.2%, and 5.3% of cases, respectively. Rates of recurrence detected were 35% in expedited appointments and 5.2% in planned follow-ups (p=0.0001). Of the expedited appointments, 63% were initiated by patients and 37% by clinicians. Recurrence was higher in those with new symptoms (7.1% versus 2.2%). The strongest predictors of recurrence were dyspnoea (positive predictive value (PPV)=16.2%), neck pain (PPV=10.4%) and mouth/throat pain (PPV=9.2%).

Conclusions: Dedicated multidisciplinary clinics comprise a minority of consultations for HNC surveillance in the UK, with low availability of AHPs. PET-CT and MRI were underutilised for the investigation of suspected recurrence. There may be scope for greater emphasis on patient education and consequent patient-initiated symptom driven follow-up.

Keywords: Head and neck; audit; cancer; guidelines; recurrence; surveillance; treatment.


Centres

The following 85 centres participated in the national audit in 2018: