A Clinical Analysis of Second Primary Malignancy in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology 1998;14(1):35-39.
Published online May 30, 1998.

Keun Chung;Jeong Bae Kim;Hun Ki Min;Young Min Kim;Young Soo Rho

두경부 이차암의 임상적 고찰

정근;김정배;민헌기;김영민;노영수

Abstract

Objectives: Minimal improvement in the long-term survival of head and neck cancer(HNC) patients has occurred despite a multitude of advances in the control of loco regional disease and a second primary malignancy(SPM) contribute to the continued poor prognosis for the HNC patients. This study was performed in order to identify the clinical characteristics of SPM in the HNC patients. Materials and Methods: The medical records of 354 patients of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma that were followed up after initial treatment during the period of 1987 through 1994 were reviewed. This study examines the medical records of 354 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, of whom 26 subsequently developed a second neoplasm.
Results
The actuarial SPM rate was 7.3%, and median time to presentation for the SPM was 26.8 months. The SPM were more likely to occur in male patients who had oral cavity index tumors. Patient whose index tumor was small at diagnosis had a greater chance of developing a second tumor as did those with no cervical lymph node metastases to the neck. Initial treatment modality was not associated with an increased risk of developing a second tumor. The commonest sites for the SPM were the lung and other head and neck area. The 3-year survival for patients who developed a secondary tumor from the time of its diagnosis was 27.8%.
Conclusion
The SPM in the head and neck cancer patients are not uncommon and early detection of the SPM will contribute to increase the long-term survival of HNC patients.

Key Words: Second primary malignancy, Head and neck, Squamous cell carcinoma