Surveillance tools for detection of recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma: An evidence‐based review and recommendations

OBJECTIVE: Nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPC) are tumors arising from epithelium of the nasopharynx. The 5‐year survival rate of primary NPC is 80% with significant risks of recurrence. The objective here is to provide an evidence‐based systemic review of the diagnostic value of different modalities in detecting local, regional, and distal recurrent NPC, as well as the associated costs with these modalities. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane review database were queried. Two hundred and twenty‐three abstracts were generated using the inclusion criteria: patients >18 years of age; histopathological reference standard; and modalities pertaining to imaging or microbiology. RESULTS: Twenty‐four manuscripts fulfilled the inclusion criteria and 5 surveillance tools identified: endoscopy, MR, FDG‐PET, Tc‐99m MIBI and (201)TI SPECT, and EBV DNA. CONCLUSIONS: For local surveillance, endoscopy is the gold standard recommendation, with increased efficacy if Narrow Band Imaging or contact endoscopy are utilized. MRI and FDG‐PET is also recommended to help with local to distal spread; however, Tc‐99m MIBI and (201)TI SPECT are options as well. EBV DNA is recommended as a cheap and accessible adjunct surveillance tool if an available as an option.