Mn. Prout et al., HEAD AND NECK-CANCER SCREENING AMONG 4611 TOBACCO USERS OLDER THAN 40YEARS, Otolaryngology and head and neck surgery, 116(2), 1997, pp. 201-208
We implemented screening for squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavi
ty, pharynx, and larynx with symptom assessment and systematic inspect
ion of the oral mucosa by primary care practitioners at health care si
tes serving inner-city residents of Boston; 4611 tobacco users older t
han 40 years were screened, and 313 with specific criteria were referr
ed to otolaryngology for diagnostic evaluations. In these screened pat
ients, the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions was almost 13% and preva
lence of persistent hoarseness was more than 11%. Although the identif
ication of these cancers was rare (nearly 3%), abnormal findings were
seen in more than 70% of referred patients. These clinical and histolo
gic diagnoses are described. We have documented the range of pathologi
c conditions in high-risk patients screened for upper aerodigestive tr
act malignancy.