[Prophylactic medical examination of patients with head and neck tumours in Moscow--continuity of patients' care provided by oncologists and general practitioners].

The primary objective of prophylactic medical examination of oncological patients is reduction of mortality and improvement of the quality of life. Activities of the Department of Head and Neck Tumours of No 1 Oncological Clinical Dispensary are focused on dynamic follow-up of treated patients for early identification of continued tumour growth, diagnosis of relapses and metastases. Compliance with the schedule of control examination in the post-treatment period facilitates early identification of continued tumour growth, diagnosis of relapses and metastases. It is maintained that irregular examination is a cause of progression of latent relapses and metastasis in oncological patients. Actions and duties of district otorhinolaryngologists and ENT specialists of the Department of Head and Neck Tumours, No 1 Oncological Clinical Dispensary are outlined for the periods of prophylactic medical examination and follow up studies at the pre-hospital stage and in the course of dynamic post-treatment observations. Continuity of patients' care provided by oncologists and otorhinolaryngologists is supposed to contribute to the reduction of time spent during pre-treatment studies, early diagnosis of relapses and metastases, and improvement of the quality of life in the patients with incurable and recurring tumours.