- 期刊
- OpenAccess
The Application of Transnasal Esophagoscopy in Head and Neck Cancer
摘要
The application of transnasal esophagoscopy (TNE) in the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) becomes popular clinically. The smaller diameter of the instrument makes patients to be more comfortable and tolerable during the procedure compared with the traditional esophagoscopy. The multiple sites of precancerous or malignant lesions in the esophagus are not rare among patients with HNSCC in the region of betel nut chewing, especially in Taiwan. This office-based procedure could readily detect the lesion and undergo biopsy through the working channel for suspected lesions over the upper aerodigestive tract without sedation. Routine examination by TNE for esophageal lesion was conducted after the introduction of this equipment to our department since 2007. Those patients with primary site in oropharynx, hypopharynx and supraglottis showed a higher incidence of 2nd primary site in the esophagus according to previous studies. Therefore, routine screening by TNE in patients with newly diagnosed HNSCC is advised in Taiwan to increase the chance of overall survival. In conclusion, TNE is a useful tool in the primary screening for upper aerodigestive tract diseases. The routine use of TNE among patients with HNSCC is feasible and cost effective for primary survey of esophageal mucosa.