[Second primary tumors in head and neck cancer].
BACKGROUND
The development of second primary tumors (SPT) in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has become an increasingly important factor in clinical treatment decisions.


OBJECTIVE
To define favourable clinical characteristics for overall survival, in patients with SP head and neck cancer.


METHODS
Records of 633 patients with SCC treated from 1984 to 2004 were reviewed to describe clinical characteristics of the SPT.


RESULTS
The overall incidence of SPT was 11%. The incidence of the index tumors was as follows: supraglottic cancer 21% and oral cancer 16%. The most common SPT occurred in head and neck area in 47%, lung in 32% and esophagus in 11%. Second primary was associated with a poor 5 years survival in patients with HN-SCC (23 versus 53% in control group).


CONCLUSIONS
Because of the high rate of second primary tumors, protocols including chemoprophylaxis should be investigated. Prevention and early detection are indicated.
Alvarez Marcos
C A
CA
Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital Valle del Nalón, Riaño-Langreo. alvarezmarcos@telefonica.net
Llorente Pendás
J L
JL
Franco Gutiérrez
V
V
Hermsen
M A J A
MA
Franco Albalad
M P
MP
Fernández Espina
H
H
Suárez Nieto
C
C
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate