Triple endoscopy. A valuable procedure in head and neck surgery

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Gastroenterology
• Pulmonology

Background:

• Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients have a risk of synchronous primary tumors.
• Early detection of synchronous cancers improves patient outcomes and treatment efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility of routine triple endoscopy in identifying synchronous head and neck, lung, and esophageal carcinomas in HNSCC patients.
• To assess the cost-effectiveness and clinical benefit of early detection through triple endoscopy.

Main Methods:

• Triple endoscopy, including direct laryngoscopy, bronchoscopy, and esophagoscopy, was performed during the initial evaluation of HNSCC patients.
• Data on the incidence of synchronous cancers and their clinical presentation were collected and analyzed.

Main Results:

• Synchronous carcinomas were identified in 10% of HNSCC patients via routine triple endoscopy.
• Clinically significant, asymptomatic synchronous lung and/or esophageal cancers were found in 1.5% of patients.
• Early detection of asymptomatic cancers through endoscopy is cost-effective compared to treating symptomatic advanced disease.

Conclusions:

• Routine triple endoscopy is indicated for HNSCC patients to detect early-stage synchronous carcinomas.
• Early diagnosis and treatment of these asymptomatic cancers offer a higher chance of cure.
• Management options for superficial head and neck squamous cell carcinomas include surgery, radiation, laser, cryosurgery, or chemotherapy.