Two cases of coincident carcinomas of the head and neck and the uterine cervix.
BACKGROUND
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an independent risk factor for select head and neck carcinomas and most uterine cervix carcinomas. We report two patients with synchronous diagnoses of cervical cancer and HPV-related head and neck cancer.


METHODS
One patient was a 53-year-old woman with regionally metastatic tonsillar carcinoma treated surgically and with adjuvant radiation. Abnormal vaginal bleeding developed. Gynecologic examination showed advanced cervical carcinoma. The other patient was a 78-year-old woman surgically treated for carcinoma of the left anterior nose. Five months later, symptoms of recurrent nasal carcinoma and concurrent vaginal bleeding developed. Gynecologic examination showed advanced cervical carcinoma.


CONCLUSIONS
These cases of coincident tumors demonstrate possible systemic susceptibility to the carcinogenic effects of HPV. The common association of HPV with both uterine cervix cancers and select head and neck cancers should prompt early evaluation of gynecologic or upper aerodigestive tract symptoms for patients with known HPV-related cancers.
Gostout
Bobbie S
BS
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. gostout.bobbie@mayo.edu
Strome
Scott E
SE
Clayton
Amy C
AC
McGovern
Renee M
RM
Olsen
Kerry D
KD
Webb
Maurice J
MJ
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000821:virology*; D027383:Papillomaviridae; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*