De novo head and neck carcinoma in transplant recipients: preliminary results of management.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the stage-based definitive management approach of de novo head and neck cancer (HNC) developing in immunocompromised transplant recipients.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis was performed on 5 patients with HNC who had previously received an organ or bone marrow transplant. Surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy (alone or in combination) were the employed therapeutic methods for stage I to IV HNC.


RESULTS
At diagnosis of HNC, the average patient age was 60 years. The average interval between transplantation and the appearance of HNC was 5 years. In addition to immunosuppressive therapy, 4 patients had another risk factor for HNC development-long history of smoking; also, another person was treated by total body irradiation. With appropriate management that included local treatment for early-stage disease and bimodal therapy in cases of locally advanced neoplasms, all patients (4 being tumor-free) were alive at 6 to 38 months' follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Although longer follow-up information is needed, we contend that judicious stage-based management of HNC in transplant recipients is associated with outcomes not necessarily different from patients who are not immunosuppressed.
Ampil
Federico L
FL
Department of Radiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA 71130, USA. fampil@lsuhsc.edu
Ghali
Ghali E
GE
Munker
Reinhold
R
Kim
David D
DD
D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents