Cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract: assessment and management in people aged 16 and over

Recommendation ID: NG36/5
Question: Follow-up:- What is the optimal method, frequency and duration of follow-up for people who are disease-free after treatment for CUADT?
Any explanatory notes (if applicable): Why this is important:- Outcomes of interest include quality of life, local control and overall survival. The optimal methods, frequency, and duration of follow-up in people who are clinically disease-free and who have undergone treatment for squamous cell cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract with curative intent are not known. Considerable resources are expended throughout the country on the follow-up of people who have completed potentially curative treatment. Local follow-up protocols
are based more on historical practice than evidence and are often disease- rather than patient-centred. Research to investigate how and when follow-up should optimally be carried out could improve clinical outcomes and the use of resources.

Source guidance details

Comes from guidance: Cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract: assessment and management in people aged 16 and over
Number: NG36
Date issued: February 2016

Is this a recommendation for the use of a technology only in the context of research?	No
Is it a recommendation that suggests collection of data or the establishment of a register?	No
Last Reviewed	29/02/2016