Second primary neoplasms in patients with laryngeal carcinoma

To better define the characteristics of second primary malignancies appearing in patients suffering from head and neck cancers, and more specifically laryngeal carcinoma, and to elicit those parameters that may be of assistance in better diagnosing, treating, and predicting outcome in such patients.

Retrospective review of a group of 514 compliant subjects, examined and treated during an 8-year period until 1996. After initial diagnosis and subsequent treatment, rigorous follow-up ensured systematic screening of the subjects, who underwent standard examinations in outpatient clinics for periods of up to 56 months.

Of 514 cases followed, presence of second primary neoplasms was established in 42 or 8.17%, 8 being synchronous and 34 metachronous of the original primary lesion.

Respiratory and upper gastrointestinal localizations were primarily affected, incidence was highest in septuagenarians, and staging of the primary was found to be irrelevant to the incidence rates of second primaries. No statistical significance was attached to the fact that supraglottic primary tumors showed slightly higher second primary rates; the same applying for well-differentiated primary tumors compared with poorly differentiated ones. Modality of treatment surgery, and radiotherapy being the options in question-did not in the long run statistically influence incidence rates. Throughout, reference to current literature and this study's relevance in light of similar efforts were taken into account.