What follow-up protocols should be in place for patients treated for nasopharyngeal carcinoma to monitor for recurrence?

Follow-up protocols for patients treated for nasopharyngeal carcinoma should include structured, risk-adapted follow-up using locally agreed protocols to monitor for disease recurrence. This follow-up aims to improve quality of life, address psychosocial issues, and detect disease recurrence or second primary cancers, potentially using enhanced detection methods such as narrow-band imaging.

Patients and their carers should receive tailored information about symptoms of recurrence and late effects of treatment at the end of curative therapy.

Routine clinical or radiological surveillance solely for detection of recurrence is not recommended if there is no evidence or symptoms of residual disease after curative treatment.