Survival in second primary malignancies of patients with head and neck cancer

Second primary tumours occur frequently in patients with a history of head and neck malignancies. Delays in making an early and correct diagnosis can seriously affect the therapy management and survival. This was a retrospective study of 120 patients with a history of head and neck cancer, presenting with a second primary tumour. Current follow-up strategies and the use of routine sonographic imaging of the head and neck regions were evaluated, and the impact that tumour chronology, the tumour site and the various treatment modalities have on the survival were assessed. Forty-two per cent of patients developed a metachronous second malignancy more than five years after diagnosis of the index tumour. The accuracy of colour-duplex sonography in detection of second primaries in the head and neck was 82.3 per cent. First and second primary tumours located in the larynx were observed to have the highest five-year survival rate. Patients who developed metachronous tumours had a five-year survival rate of 68.9 per cent for the index tumours, and a 26 per cent five-year survival rate with the occurrence of a second neoplasm. With synchronous tumours a mean survival time of 18 months and a five-year survival rate of 11.9 per cent was found (p < 0.0001). Where clinically appropriate an aggressive treatment strategy was employed and yielded the most favourable results with a five-year survival rate of 66.8 per cent and 35.9 per cent for index tumours and second primary malignancies, respectively. Since more than 40 per cent of the metachronous second primaries in patients with a history of head and neck malignancy occur beyond the five-year follow-up period, an extended protocol with individually adjusted close monitoring of high-risk patients seems appropriate. Colour-duplex sonography is a valuable screening investigation for the early detection of second primary tumours. The treatment of a second primary is often less successful than for the same malignancy occurring primarily. The prognosis of synchronous tumours is significantly lower when compared to malignancies of a metachronous nature, despite some encouraging individual results. Only the early implementation of aggressive treatment methods for second primaries is successful in terms of survival.     

Photodynamic therapy and the treatment of head and neck neoplasia

Objective: To present the theory, technique, and results of photodynamic therapy for the treatment of oral, laryngeal, and head and neck cancers. Study Design: Retrospective review of the literature of more than 500 patients with head and neck cancer treated with photodynamic therapy, as well as a retrospective review of the author's 107 patients treated with photodynamic therapy for head and neck neoplasia between 1990 and 1997. Methods: The literature was retrospectively reviewed, as were patient records, and tabulaled for age, sex, site, and staging of lesions, with special focus on post-photodynamic therapy treatment outcome, long-term disease-free survival, and complications. Results: Twenty-five patients with carcinoma in situ and T1 squamous cell carcinoma of the true vocal cord who underwent photodynamic therapy treatment for cure obtained a complete response after a single photodynamic therapy treatment. Only one patient has had recurrence to date, with a cure rate to 79-month follow-up of 95%. Twenty-nine patients with carcinoma in situ and T1 recurrent squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity and tongue were treated. All obtained a complete response after a single photodynamic therapy treatment; however, five patients developed local recurrence with follow-up to 70 months, for an 80% cure rate. A review of 217 patients with early squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck treated with photodynamic therapy in the literature demonstrated an 89.5% complete response rate. The most common complication in these patients was limited prolonged skin photosensitivity without any permanent sequelae. Conclusions: Photodynamic therapy is effective for treating carcinoma in situ and T1 squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx and oral cavity and may be of benefit as an adjuvant intraoperative treatment of stages III and IV tumors of the head and neck in conjunction with surgery and radiation therapy to improve cure rates. Further controlled studies need to be performed to further demonstrate the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy and the treatment of head and neck cancers.     

‘When will I see you again?’ Using local recurrence data to develop a regimen for routine surveillance in post‐treatment head and neck cancer patients

Objective: To develop an evidence‐based regimen for routine surveillance of post‐treatment head and neck cancer patients. Design: Review of 10 years of prospectively collected patient data. Main outcome measures: Time of first presentation of ‘new cancer event’ (either first recurrence or second primary tumour). We did not evaluate whether or not the detected new cancer events were curable. Results: Data from patients with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, oropharynx and hypopharynx were analysed. A total of 676 previously undiagnosed squamous cell carcinomas were recorded in these regions. In these patients there were 105 recurrences and 20 second primary cancers were recorded; 95^th percentile of “time to a new cancer event” was calculated in years. These were for larynx 4.7 years, oropharynx 2.7 years, hypopharynx 2.3 years. The time to new cancer event was similar for early and late laryngeal cancers. Only 36 (47%) of the hypopharyngeal cancers were treated with curative intent and of these 36% had a previously undiagnosed cancer event. Conclusion: Local data and published evidence support a follow‐up duration of 7 years for laryngeal primaries and 3 years for both oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal primaries. Late stage oropharyngeal cancers may require longer follow up than early cancers. Patients who continue to smoke may need longer follow up. A change in local follow‐up protocol to this regimen would save 10 patient slots every week with no detriment to patient care. Clin. Otolaryngol. 2009, 34 , 546–551.     

Observing stage‐shifts in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma from initial clinical outpatient staging to definite clinical tumour board staging using radiological and endoscopical investigations: will less do?

Clin. Otolaryngol. 2011, 36 , 352–360 Objectives: Staging head and neck squamous cell carcinoma usually is initiated in the outpatient department (OPD) using patient history and physical examination. To reach consensus on stage and therapy, imaging and panendoscopy are more or less routinely applied as additional staging tests. Staging results from the outpatient department were evaluated for tumour and neck stage. We investigated in which situations additional staging tests are needed. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Head and Neck Oncology Group, University Medical Centre. Participants: Of 341 patients, initial staging results from the outpatient department were compared with the ultimate staging results from the tumour board review, which provides the basis for decisions on therapy. Main outcome measures: Tumour stage and neck stage migrations during this staging tract. Results: In staging head and neck tumours are squamous cell carcinomas, additional staging tests like imaging and/or panendoscopy remain necessary to evaluate the primary tumour stage. Average accuracies of T‐staging in oral cavity, pharynx and larynx only amount to 71%, 47% and 61%, respectively. For T1N0 and T2N0 oral cavity tumours, neck assessment in the outpatient department was accurate in 100% (95% CI: 91–100%) and 93% (95% CI: 80–98%), respectively. In the larynx group, this was 100% (95% CI: 91–100%) and 97% (95% CI: 86–100%), respectively. Conclusions: For oral cavity and laryngeal tumours staged as T1‐2N0 in the outpatient department, we concluded that the outpatient department staging is highly predictive of the final pre‐treatment staging. In these cases, computer tomography and/or MRI remain a necessity but additional ultrasound with or without fine needle aspiration cytology can be omitted. In our institution, this would have resulted in a 46% reduction in ultrasound procedures. If T‐stage is upgraded during imaging or panendoscopy, additional staging tests for N‐stage should still be considered.     

Evaluation of synchronous multiple primary superficial laryngo-pharyngeal cancers that were treated by endoscopic laryngo-pharyngeal surgery

Objectivendoscopic laryngopharyngeal surgery (ELPS) is a useful surgery for superficial cancers of the head and neck region, but it has not yet been well evaluated for synchronous multiple primary cancers (multiple primaries). The purpose of this study was to clarify the safety and usefulness of ELPS for patients with multiple superficial primary cancers in the head and neck region.Methodsrom December 2009 to December 2016, 145patients with superficial head and neck cancers underwent ELPS. The patients were divided into two groups; a group consisting of patients with a single primary cancer (single primary) and another group consisting of patients with synchronous multiple primaries, and the incidences of postoperative complications and lymph node metastasis were retrospectively compared between the two groups.Resultsf the 145 patients, 107 had a single primary cancer and 38 had multiple primaries. There was no significant difference in the age, sex, or rate of intraepithelial cancer between the two groups. Postoperative complications included dysphagia in 6 (5.6%) patients with a single primary and 2 (5.3%) patients with multiple primaries. One patient with multiple primaries required gastrostomy because of aspiration pneumonia. In addition, the following complications were also observed. Laryngeal paralysis occurred in 2 (1.9%) patients with a single primary, and 1 (2.6%) patient with multiple primaries; tracheostomy because of postoperative bleeding in 1 (0.9%) patient with a single primary; infection occurred in 2 (5.3%) patients with multiple primaries. Postoperative lymph node metastasis was found in 7 (6.5%) patients with a single primary and 6 (15.8%) patients with multiple primaries. Lymphatic invasion of the primary cancer was noted in 3 (2.8%) patients with a single primary and 5 (13.2%) patients with multiple primaries, being significantly higher in the latter group.ConclusionELPS is also a safe surgery for patients with multiple primaries. However, the incidence of lymphatic invasion of the primary cancer was significantly higher in patients with multiple primaries.     

Lymph node metastases in the lower neck

Current knowledge suggests that lymph node metastases in the lower neck (supraclavicular fossa and posterior triangle) are associated with a poor survival. Very little systematic work has been published on this subject. This was a retrospective study carried out on a database where all patients were entered in a prospective manner over a 35-year period using a standard pro-forma. Data on 168 patients presenting with a lower neck node metastasis were retrieved. The main outcome measures were: association between variables and tumour-specific survival. Data were displayed in contingency tables and analysed by chi-square and categorical modelling. Recurrence and survival were plotted in a cause-specific manner using the Kaplan Meir method. Differences in curves were analysed using the log rank test. Multivariate analysis was carried out using Cox's proportional hazard model. The only association was between site and node level and histology. Head and neck tumours were associated with squamous histology (P = 0.0004) and supraclavicular nodes (P = 0.0047). Survival time was not significantly different when lower-neck lymph node metastasis from the head and neck was compared to non-head and neck metastasis: 5-year survival 30% and 10% respectively (P = 0.1363). Survival with posterior triangle metastases was significantly better than supraclavicular metastases (P = 0. 0059), confirmed on multivariate analysis. Laterality of metastasis had no effect on survival (P < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in survival between squamous and non-squamous metastases on Cox regression (P = not significant). There were 85 head and neck primaries including lymphomas, 53 infraclavicular primaries and 30 unknown primaries. There were 73 squamous cell carcinomas, 27 adenocarcinomas, 34 lymphomas, 28 undifferentiated tumours and six other tumours. Nearly half the primary tumours were below the clavicle. Survival was unaffected by laterality, primary site or histology, but was better for posterior triangle nodes.     

Second primary carcinomas in the upper aerodigestive tract in different locations and age groups

BACKGROUND: Second primary tumors are of great importance for diagnostics, therapy and prognosis in patients suffering from squamous cell carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract. The clinical observation of an increase of second primaries was the reason for analyzing all patients with head and neck cancer treated for a certain period of time at our institution. METHODS: The hospital charts of 576 patients treated for squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, the oropharynx, the hypopharynx and larynx treated from 1993 till 1996 at the Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery of the University of Würzburg were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: 10.1% of all patients developed a second primary tumor. The rate was highest for patients with carcinoma of the oral cavity (17.5%), followed by tumors of the hypo- and oropharynx (11.7% and 11.5%) and the larynx (6.4%). Besides the location, younger age was detected as a risk factor for the formation of second malignancies. The latency between first and second primary tumor was 2.9 years in average. 31% of the second primaries were detected synchronous, 39% metachronous. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that younger patients and patients with carcinomas of the upper digestive tract need a consequent follow-up. The development of second primaries even years after the first malignoma demonstrates the necessity of lifelong follow-up and oncological care.     

Impact of second primary tumors on survival in head and neck cancer: an analysis of 2,063 cases

Objective/Hypothesis: To investigate the impact of second primary tumors on prognosis for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Study Design: Prospectively recorded data on HNSCC patients treated at an academic tertiary referral center. Methods: An analysis of 2,063 patients treated over a 15 year period for tumors of the upper aerodigestive tract, with a minimum follow‐up of 10 years. Results: A total of 351 (17%) patients developed a second primary, mean time to diagnosis of the second tumor being more than 4 years from the date of the initial tumor. Median overall survival from the date of the first tumor among patients who later developed a second primary was 6 years versus 3 years among all other patients (P < .05). During the first 6 years after treatment of the initial tumor, cancer specific survival was better in the second primary group. After diagnosis of a second primary tumor, median survival was 12 months. A positive correlation was found between second primaries and stage I/II primary disease, low patient age, and initial tumors of the larynx and oral cavity. Conclusions: The group of patients with the highest risk of a second primary tumor was younger patients with limited initial tumors. A high proportion of patients who later developed a second primary were complete responders after treatment of the first tumor. However, prognosis was poor after the actual diagnosis of the second primary tumor.     

Panendoscopy as a screening procedure for simultaneous primary tumors in head and neck cancer

Head and neck cancer is often associated with second primary neoplasms. These cancers most commonly involve other regions of the head and neck, esophagus, and lung. The majority of cases are also squamous cell carcinomas. In view of this rather frequent occurrence of multiple primary cancers and how they adversely affect the patient's survival, it becomes imperative to analyze how the clinician can intervene effectively. One such approach is to detect multiple primaries as early as possible. As such, panendoscopy as a part of the tumor-staging procedure has been advocated by many investigators to search for simultaneous second primary malignant neoplasms in patients presenting with head and neck cancer. In a 24-month period, data were gathered from 127 consecutive patients referred to University Hospital, Ghent with previously untreated, squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. One hundred-eighteen patients underwent an endoscopic examination under general anesthesia, during which 4 simultaneous second primary tumors were found in 3 patients. This represents an incidence of 3.4% of simultaneous second primary neoplasms. The results for the different parts of the endoscopy are discussed and compared with literature findings. Guidelines are given for the initial evaluation of the head and neck cancer patient.     

Second malignancies in early stage laryngeal carcinoma patients treated with radiotherapy

A retrospective review of 240 patients with T1/T2 squamous cell carcinomas of the larynx was performed. Seventy-two per cent had glottic primaries, 27 per cent had supraglottic tumours and one per cent had subglottic disease. Sixty-nine per cent presented with T1 disease and 31 per cent had T2 staged tumours. All patients were treated with definitive radiotherapy between 1973 and 1997. With a median follow-up of 68 months, 68 patients (28 per cent) have developed 72 other cancers. Ten of 68 presented with synchronous primaries (15 per cent). Thirty per cent of glottic patients and 25 per cent of the supraglottic/subglottic patients developed second cancers. The most frequent second malignancy was lung cancer: 28/72 (39 per cent). Fifteen patients developed second head and neck cancers (21 per cent). Other second primary sites included oesophagus (eight), prostate (six), colorectal (five), breast (two) and others (eight). The median time from radiotherapy until the development of a second cancer was 31 months. The Kaplan-Meier survival estimate at five years was significantly less for those patients developing second cancers (55 per cent) compared to those not developing second malignancies (70 per cent), (p<0.05). The median survival from the development of a second cancer was 14 months. More died as a result of a second cancer (41 patients) than their primary laryngeal cancer (40 patients). Second cancers are common and deadly in patients with early stage laryngeal carcinoma.     

Significance of distant metastases and secondary cancers as a cause of death in patients with ENT cancers

Hospital charts and autopsy reports of 148 patients with head and neck carcinoma were reviewed in order to assess the mortality from distant metastases and other primaries. 49% of the patients with uncontrolled local or regional disease died with distant metastases. Only 4% of these patients had a second primary. In patients with controlled local and regional disease the opposite was found. Distant metastases were uncommon (9%). Yet, 44% of the patients died of a second primary located in the upper aerodigestive tract or lungs. If life expectancy in patients with controlled head and neck carcinoma is to be improved, early detection of second primaries is important. As only 9% of patients with locally controlled disease die from distant metastases adjuvant chemotherapy is not indicated.     

Meta-tetra(hydroxyphenyl)chlorin photodynamic therapy in early-stage squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

OBJECTIVE: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a relatively new treatment modality for various types of cancer, including cancer of the head and neck. The advent of the second-generation photosensitizers such as meta-tetra(hydroxyphenyl)chlorin (mTHPC) (Foscan; Scotia Pharmaceuticals, Stirling, Scotland), which are more effective and less phototoxic to the skin than their forerunners, now makes this treatment a feasible alternative to surgery or radiotherapy in specific cases. To evaluate the long-term outcome of this therapy for squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck, we treated patients with PDT using mTHPC. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Tertiary cancer referral center. PATIENTS: Twenty-five patients with 29 T1-T2 N0 tumors of the oral cavity and/or oropharynx. INTERVENTION: Photodynamic therapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Complete local tumor remission. RESULTS: The mean follow-up of the patients after treatment was 37 months. In 25 (86%) of 29 tumors, a complete remission of the primary tumor was obtained. In the 4 recurrences, salvage was achieved by conventional therapy. In none of the patients was any long-term functional deficit detected. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that PDT is a powerful treatment modality that could be considered as an alternative to surgery or radiotherapy in specific cases of head and neck cancer. The major advantage of PDT over these conventional therapies is the reduction in long-term morbidity. Radiotherapy or surgery could be reserved for salvage therapy in the event of a recurrence or second primary tumors.     

How we do it: Chemo‐electroporation in the head and neck for otherwise untreatable patients

? Chemo‐electroporation therapy with bleomycin is a locoregional treatment modality for head and neck and skin cancer, with the potential to preserve function. ? In our institution, chemo‐electroporation therapy is used for patients that can no longer be treated by surgery or radiotherapy, or for whom surgical treatment would be very extensive and thus declined by the patient. ? This paper describes in detail the technique of bleomycin‐electroporation therapy. The literature is reviewed and preliminary results of the clinical trial are presented. ? The main focus of the trial is to determine the safety, effectiveness, and burden of bleomycin‐electroporation therapy for the patient. ? All 17 tumours responded to therapy. Local tumour control was reached in 14 of the 17 (82.4 %) tumours. ? Based on the outcome of the clinical trial, bleomycin‐electroporation therapy has the potential to become a valuable addition to the late‐stage treatment options for patients with head and neck or skin tumours.     

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in multiple synchronous head and neck and esophagus squamous cell carcinomas.

A consecutive series of 22 patients with multiple synchronous squamous cell carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract was retrospectively reviewed. These patients were treated initially with cis-platinum combination chemotherapy before definitive locoregional therapy (surgery and/or radiation therapy). Sixteen of 21 patients had simultaneous head and neck and esophageal primaries, 3 patients had multiple synchronous head and neck primaries, 2 patients had head and neck (HN) and a bronchial epidermoid cancer, and 1 patient had simultaneous esophageal and bronchial carcinomas of epidermoid lineage. Sixteen (77%) of the 21 patients responded to chemotherapy in all the tumor sites evaluated, and a clinically complete response was obtained in 6 (29%). After definitive locoregional treatment, the complete local control rate was 68%, with 34 complete responses for 50 primary tumor sites in 21 patients. Twelve patients were free of disease after locoregional treatment. Six patients are still alive 27 to 57 months after complementary definitive locoregional treatment and a minimum follow-up of 27 months. Median survival for the overall group is 17 months. The response to chemotherapy is remarkable, which may be due to the small tumoral volume present in many of the cases (T1 to T2). Nevertheless, the present report stresses the importance of an aggressive combined therapeutic approach in this difficult clinical situation.     

CT staging and surveillance of the thorax in patients with newly diagnosed and recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: is it necessary?

The detection of distant metastases or synchronous primary tumours at initial presentation, or at recurrence in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), frequently alters the selection of therapy in these patients. A number of series report appreciably high rates for these lesions. This study evaluated 108 computed tomography (CT) scans and chest radiographs (CXR) of the thorax, in 80 patients presenting with HNSCC over a 4 year period. There were three clinical settings; (a) at original diagnosis n = 61, (b) clinical evidence of local/regional recurrence n = 19 (c) suspicion of recurrence due to neck symptomatology n = 28. CT thorax detected two out of 61 (3%) distant metastases at the initial diagnosis stage (both were either stage III or IV) and one out of 19 (5%) patients evaluated at the time of loco/regional recurrence. CXR failed to reveal evidence of pulmonary metastases in the two patients at initial diagnosis stage, but correctly identified pulmonary metastases in the loco-regional recurrence patient. There was no thoracic malignancy detected in the surveillance CT scans, and no synchronous second primary tumour detected during the study. CT is known to be more sensitive than conventional CXR in detecting thoracic pathology in HNSCC patients, however, we feel CT is of limited value in stage I or II disease. We no longer carry out routine staging CT scans of the thorax in patients presenting with stage I or II HNSCC, or with neck symptomatology with no clinical evidence of recurrence.Presented at the Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland, Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Section 2005.     

Metachronous second primary tumours in the aerodigestive tract in patients with early stage head and neck squamous cell carcinomas

Early-stage head and neck carcinomas can usually be controlled with the appropriate treatment. In these patients, the long-term prognosis mainly depends on second metachronous malignancies, frequently in the aerodigestive tract. Our study aims to identify risk factors for the appearance of second tumours in this group of patients with early head and neck cancer. Of 949 patients included in the study, 189 (20%) developed a metachronous second primary malignancy, most frequently in the aerodigestive tract. Independent risk factors associated with second tumours were heavy alcohol use and the location of the index tumour in the oropharynx. Compared to non-drinkers, heavy drinkers (>80 g/day) presented a 1.8-times higher risk of a second tumour (CI 95%: 1.01–3.50). Patients with oropharyngeal tumours had a 2.15-higher risk than patients with oral cavity tumours (CI 95%: 1.03–4.47). Recursive partitioning analysis was used to characterise two risk groups for second tumours. The low-risk group included patients over 75 years and patients with low levels of carcinogen use. It comprised 171 patients (18%) with a 5.3% frequency of second tumours. The high-risk group accounted for 80% of the patients ( n =778), and the rate of second neoplasms was 16.3%. Classification of the patients according to the mentioned variables allows us to focus follow-up and prevention efforts on high-risk patients.     

Second head and neck cancers and tobacco usage

OBJECTIVES: To examine the relative incidence of second primary carcinomas in patients who continued smoking compared with those who had ceased smoking. METHODS: This is a retrospective study based on review of the Wake Forest University-Baptist Medical Center Tumor Registry for the years 1985 through 2000. Ninety-one patients who had had an index head and neck tumor and who developed a second independent head and neck primary tumor, were identified. These cases were grouped into synchronous (different sites within 6 months) and metachronous (different site after 6 months or same site after 3 years) second tumors and were examined with respect to smoking history-specifically whether smoking had continued or ceased after the diagnosis of the index tumor. RESULTS: Of the 91 patients identified with double head and neck tumors, 88 were tobacco users. Comprising the group of 54 patients with metachronous second primaries were 51 smokers-25 who had continued and 26 who had ceased tobacco use. Of the 26 patients who had quit smoking but had developed a second primary, 13 had stopped smoking even before the index primary had been diagnosed. The remaining 13 had stopped when the index primary was treated. CONCLUSIONS: A review of 91 patients with double head and neck primary tumors indicate no difference in the frequency of second tumors developing in a group of patients who continued to smoke after diagnosis of their index cancers relative to patients who stopped smoking. This finding suggests a critical cellular level of cumulative and persistent damage. Methods to reverse this genetic alteration are hypothesized to be potentially more significant than smoking cessation efforts in preventing subsequent head and neck cancers.     

Abrasive esophageal cytology for the oncological follow-up of patients with head and neck cancer.

OBJECTIVES: The occurrence of a second primary cancer in the esophagus in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is frequent and is associated with a poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the yield of abrasive esophageal cytology as a means of screening for metachronous cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract. STUDY DESIGN: We retrospectively reviewed the results of abrasive esophageal cytology performed twice yearly for the screening of patients with prior head and neck cancer. METHODS: From 1987 to 1996, 320 patients treated for head and neck cancer underwent 1,673 abrasive cytology examinations of the esophagus during a mean follow-up period of 4 years. Cytological results were classified as negative, suspect, or positive for malignancy. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients without symptoms had one or more suspect or positive cytologic findings, leading to 29 endoscopic examinations. These revealed 20 premalignant or early malignant lesions of the esophagus (2 dysplasias, 18 squamous cell carcinomas), 2 glandular carcinomas, and 10 clinically unsuspected oral or pharyngeal carcinomas. In seven patients, positive cytological results were associated with clinically visible head and neck cancer. Of the 34 patients with suspect cytological results for malignancy, 10 had no evidence of tumor at endoscopy and 24 had no endoscopic examination because of refusal or because suspected cells were not found in additional examinations. Negative results on cytological examination were found for 254 patients throughout their follow-up, and none of them developed esophageal cancer during a mean follow-up period of 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with head and neck cancer, abrasive sponge cytology is useful for detecting esophageal cancer at an early stage. In addition, it may reveal unsuspected second primaries or recurrences in the head and neck region.     

Treatment results for simultaneous primary squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck

Forty patients with simultaneous multiple primaries of the head and neck were treated with curative intent between June 1964 and April 1983. The primary sites were treated with radiation therapy alone or in combination with surgery. Surgery was used to salvage local failures of radiation treatment. Neck disease was treated with radiation therapy alone or with neck dissection added after completion of radiation therapy to the primary lesions. Minimum follow-up was 2 years with a range of 2 to 20 years. For the 32 patients whose primary tumors were treated with radiation alone, the 2-year local control rates for the 53 individual tumors evaluated were as follows: T1, 18/21; T2, 16/23; and T3-T4, 1/9. In the T3-T4 group, there was only one successful surgical salvage. Local control rates for disease at all primary sites in each patient according to highest T-stage were as follows: T1, 4/5; T2, 9/15; and T3-T4, 1/9. Eight patients whose primary tumors were treated with radiation and surgery are discussed. The absolute disease-free survival rate at 2 years for 40 patients was 42%. Complications of treatment are described.     

Pulmonary complications in patients with head and neck and lung neoplasms

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of second primary neoplasms in patients with head and neck carcinoma assumes greater importance as our ability to control local disease improves. Both the primary lesions and the therapeutic interventions can predispose patients to pulmonary complications. OBJECTIVE: To explore the incidence of pulmonary complications in patients with head and neck cancer who also undergo lung surgery. DESIGN: Survey; case series. SETTING: A tertiary care university hospital. RESULTS: The clinic and hospital charts of 32 patients with multiple interventions of the head and neck and lung were retrospectively reviewed, and data were recorded on the clinical and pathologic specifics of primary and secondary neoplasms, pulmonary complications, and treatment outcomes. Twenty-eight (88%) of these patients underwent a diagnostic or therapeutic surgical procedure for a head and neck primary neoplasm. All patients (100%) underwent a pulmonary resection for malignant or nonmalignant pulmonary disease. Overall, 31 patients (97%) experienced either major or minor pulmonary complications after surgery, 51 (79%) of which occurred during the immediate postoperative course. Major complications occurred in 11 patients (34%), which were fatal in one. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that patients with head and neck cancer who also experience a second pulmonary disease requiring lung resection are at high risk of developing serious pulmonary complications. These risks should be considered in planning optimal therapy.