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

Background. It is common practice for a panendoscopy to be included in the evaluation of patients with mucosal head and neck malignancies. Whether thi s intervention is efficient or cost-effective has not been established in o ur patient population. Methods. Two hundred twenty-four patients with squamous cell carcinoma invo lving the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, or neck were evaluated prospectivel y with panendoscopy and chest x-ray with or without barium swallow. One hun dred fifty-four patients had newly diagnosed tumors and 70 were previously diagnosed and currently undergoing symptom-directed investigations. Results. The incidence of synchronous primary tumors was 2.6% (4 of 154); p ulmonary, 1.3%; head and neck mucosa, 1.3%; and esophageal, 0%. There was n o associated morbidity. Conclusions. 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. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.