Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Clinical study of second primary malignancies (SPM) in patients with cancer of the head and neck (HNC).
STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective study over 48 patients with SPMs culled from 636 with HNC seen in 122 months. The minimum follow-up was 18 months, and the setting for the study was the institutional referral center.
RESULTS: There was association between the sites of first and second tumor. The SPMs were diagnosed with a constant rate throughout the period of study. Five year-survival rate was 29%. SPM in an advanced stage either outside of the head and neck or synchronous had poor survival.
CONCLUSION: The SPMs are a growing problem with better survival after treatment of the first malignancy.
SIGNIFICANCE: Regular follow-up is necessary in HNC patients to improve their survival, giving special attention to the development of SPM.
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