Esophageal squamous cell neoplasia is an independent negative prognostic factor for head and neck cancer patients

Background

Patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) have a high incidence of esophageal squamous cell neoplasms (ESCN). ESCN also has a negative impact on the survival of HNC patients. However, recent endoscopic advances enable the early detection of ESCN, and novel treatments may lead to improving survival rates for HNC patients with ESCN.

Methods

HNC patients who underwent magnifying esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGDS) from 2005 to 2012 were included in this study (n = 226). We analyzed the prevalence and prognostic value of ESCN in HNC patients and the difference in overall survival between HNC patients with and without ESCN.

Results

Thirty-four patients (15%) developed an ESCN during their clinical course. Of the 34 patients, 10 patients underwent endoscopic resection for ESCN and 10 patients underwent simultaneous chemoradiation therapy for HNC and ESCN. The 3-year survival rates in HNC patients with and without ESCN were 53% and 70%, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified the advanced clinical stage of the HNC [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.15; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.18–3.93; p = 0.012] and the presence of ESCN (HR = 1.73; 95% CI = 1.00–2.97; p = 0.049) as significant and independent determinants of overall survival.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that although the survival of HNC patients with ESCN may be improved by routine EGDS during tumor surveys and by advances in endoscopy, the presence of ESCN still remains an independent negative prognostic factor for HNC patients.