title: Risk factors for multiple malignancies in the head and neck.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To define the prognostic role of multiple epidemiological, clinical, and biological factors for the development of multiple malignancies (MM) in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Historical cohort study. p53 gene status, microsatellite instability (MSI) of the index tumor, and inherited chromosome fragility (CF) were studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-six consecutive patients affected by primary HNC, between January 1987 and October 1991, who were eligible for curative radiation therapy were followed up.
  
  
  METHODS
  p53 gene status, MSI, and CF in 96 curative radiotherapy-treated patients were correlated with the risk for MM.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Multiple malignancies occurred in 28.9%. Microsatellite instability (P = 0.05), CF (P < 0.01), and smoking after treatment of the index tumor (P = 0.02) were correlated with an increased risk of MM.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Genetic susceptibility may play a central role for MM development in patients with HNC.
authors.affiliation: First Clinic of Otolaryngology and Head-Neck Surgery, University of Florence, Italy. adeganello@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Deganello
authors.forename: Gianni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gitti
authors.forename: Giuditta
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mannelli
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Meccariello
authors.forename: Oreste
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gallo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D002873:Chromosome Fragility / Q000235:genetics; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D016158:Genes, p53 / Q000235:genetics; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053842:Microsatellite Instability; D008875:Middle Aged; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: head and neck; inherited chromosome fragility; microsatellite instability; multiple malignancies; p53 gene status