Background: All patients treated for laryngeal cancer are offered the same follow-up schedule to detect asymptomatic locoregional recurrences. In this study, we evaluated the prognostic profile of patients for cancer recurrence and estimated the lead time.
Methods: A cohort study was performed between 1990 and 1995. Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze the prognostic factors. The effect of altering the follow-up for asymptomatic recurrence detection was determined after estimating the lead time.
Results: The variables cT classification, smoking, and histologic grade proved to be prognostic factors. The risk of locoregional failure was 15% in the low-risk group versus 29% in the high-risk group. The estimated lead time was 2 to 4 weeks.
Conclusion: Risk profiles for locoregional relapse were defined. Intensifying the follow-up schedule is not advisable because the lead time is very short. An excessively high number of routine visits would have to be performed to increase the detection rate for asymptomatic recurrences.
(c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.