What are the recommended follow-up protocols for patients who have been referred for suspected head and neck cancer?

Recommended follow-up protocols for patients referred for suspected head and neck cancer include:

• Providing tailored information to patients and their carers about symptoms of recurrence and late effects of treatment at the end of curative therapy to support early recognition and management.
• Implementing structured, risk-adapted follow-up using locally agreed protocols for those who have undergone curative treatment. These protocols aim to improve quality of life by addressing psychosocial issues and to detect disease recurrence or second primary cancers, potentially using advanced techniques such as narrow-band imaging to enhance detection.
• Ensuring multidisciplinary team involvement in follow-up care, including assessment of nutritional needs, rehabilitation (speech, swallowing, shoulder function), and psychosocial support.
• Considering surgery for complications such as osteoradionecrosis if it develops during follow-up, with hyperbaric oxygen therapy or medical management only within clinical trials.

These follow-up measures are designed to optimize patient outcomes after referral and treatment for head and neck cancers, particularly cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract.

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