BACKGROUND: The risk of multiple primary tumors in the head and neck area is higher than that in other areas of the body. METHODS: A total of 573 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head or neck were studied prospectively during a 4.5-year period to determine the incidence of associated synchronous and metachronous second primary carcinoma. RESULTS: Multiple primary carcinoma was found in 2.4% of these patients (69% with synchronous primary tumors). Sixty-three percent of all second primary tumors occurred in the esophagus. CONCLUSIONS: This report emphasizes the importance of esophagoscopy in the initial assessment of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head or neck.
BACKGROUND: The risk of multiple primary tumors in the head and neck area is higher than that in other areas of the body. METHODS: A total of 573 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head or neck were studied prospectively during a 4.5-year period to determine the incidence of associated synchronous and metachronous second primary carcinoma. RESULTS: Multiple primary carcinoma was found in 2.4% of these patients (69% with synchronous primary tumors). Sixty-three percent of all second primary tumors occurred in the esophagus. CONCLUSIONS: This report emphasizes the importance of esophagoscopy in the initial assessment of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head or neck.
Authors: Eui Bae Kim; Yong Park; Seh Jong Park; Dae Sik Kim; Jee Won Kim; Hee Yun Seo; Hwa Jung Sung; In Keun Choi; Kyong Hwa Park; Sang Cheul Oh; Chul Won Choi; Byung Soo Kim; Yeul Hong Kim; Jun Suk Kim; Sang Won Shin; Chul Yong Kim; Kwang-Yoon Jung Journal: Cancer Res Treat Date: 2008-12-31 Impact factor: 4.679