Is Screening for Esophageal Pathology in Asymptomatic Patients Post-Treatment for Head and Neck Cancer Beneficial?

Esophageal Cancer Clinical Trial

Official title: Is Screening for Esophageal Pathology in Asymptomatic Patients Post-Treatment for Head and Neck Cancer Beneficial?

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of esophageal pathology in asymptomatic patients with a history of head and neck cancer.

Clinical Trial Description

There are certain factors (i.e. alcohol, tobacco, decreased saliva production from radiation) that predispose patients with a history of head and neck cancer to have esophageal disease. Often, in the initial stages of the disease, patients do not have symptoms. However, the early detection of precancerous lesions or small cancers improves patients' chances of being cured. There is no direct data supporting the practice of screening patients with a history of head and neck cancer after treatment for esophageal disease if they are not experiencing symptoms. However, many argue that screening endoscopy is justified in high risk patients to detect early esophageal cancer or dysplasia at a curable state. We are, therefore, performing this study to determine the value of endoscopic screening of the esophagus after treatment for head and neck cancer in patients without symptoms. ;

Study Design

Observational Model: Case-Only, Time Perspective: Cross-Sectional

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Esophageal Cancer
• Esophageal Neoplasms
• Head and Neck Neoplasms

• NCT number: NCT00583934
• Study type: Observational
• Source: University of California, Davis
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: September 2007
• Completion date: November 2009