Is Screening for Esophageal Pathology in Asymptomatic Patients Post-Treatment for Head and Neck Cancer Beneficial?
There are certain factors (i.e. alcohol, tobacco, decreased saliva production from
radiation) that predispose patients with a history of head and neck cancer to have
esophageal disease. Often, in the initial stages of the disease, patients do not have
symptoms. However, the early detection of precancerous lesions or small cancers improves
patients' chances of being cured. There is no direct data supporting the practice of
screening patients with a history of head and neck cancer after treatment for esophageal
disease if they are not experiencing symptoms. However, many argue that screening endoscopy
is justified in high risk patients to detect early esophageal cancer or dysplasia at a
curable state. We are, therefore, performing this study to determine the value of
endoscopic screening of the esophagus after treatment for head and neck cancer in patients
without symptoms.
Observational
Observational Model: Case-Only, Time Perspective: Cross-Sectional
Early detection of esophageal cancer or dysplasia in patients without symptoms, after treating their primary cancer, may improve their chances of being cured of a secondary disease.
unknown
No
Gregory Farwell, MD
Principal Investigator
University of California, Davis
United States: Institutional Review Board
200513668-3
NCT00583934
September 2007
November 2009
Name | Location |
---|---|
University of California Davis Medical Center | Sacramento, California 95817 |