Role of chest ct scanning in the management of patients presenting with head and neck cancer

Abstract

Synchronous tumors, whether they be second primary tumors or distant metastases, are more common in patients initially seen with head and neck cancer than is realized, their incidence being significantly higher in those patients with cervical metastases. Computerized tomographic scanning of the chest is a more effective screening investigation than chest x-ray in this group of patients and is now used routinely in our department prior to undertaking major head and neck surgery.