Second primary malignancies in patients with cancer of the head and neck.

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.