The multiple tumor syndrome. Personal experience

The multiple tumor syndrome is an unusual pathologic condition, which consists in association of multiple malignancies in the same patient. Seven cases are discussed: two women, five men, aged 32-70 years. The period between the two neoplasias was 2-23 years (in 6 cases). In one case the two malignancies appeared concomitantly. The hematological malignancies were: multiple myeloma: 2 cases; chronic granulocytic leukemia: 2 cases; chronic lymphatic leukemia: 3 cases. In four cases, the solid tumor followed the hematological malignancy at variable periods (2 and 4 years). In other two cases, the solid tumors preceded the hematological malignancy with 2 years, 23 years respectively. The solid tumors were genital cancers, malignant melanoma, spino-cellular carcinoma, thyroid cancer, hemangiosarcoma. In a single case the second tumor was a hematological malignancy too (NHL-diffuse lymphocytic lymphoma). Possible implications of previous therapy and environmental factors are discussed.