Multiple primary cancers in Hong Kong Chinese patients with squamous cell cancer 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.
Choy
A T
AT
Department of Surgery, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin.
van Hasselt
C A
CA
Chisholm
E M
EM
Williams
S R
SR
King
W W
WW
Li
A K
AK
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects