Secondary head and neck cancer in patients with history of hematological malignancy

Head and neck cancer is a common second cancer in patients with a history of hematological malignancies. The purpose of this study was present the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of this group of patients.

A retrospective analysis was conducted of all patients who had a history of hematological malignancy and developed head and neck cancer in a 10-year period.

The cohort had 10 patients; median age was 45.8 years. Most patients were nonsmokers and nondrinkers. Seven patients had chronic graft-versus-host disease. The median interval between the completion of treatment of hematological malignancy and the development of head and neck cancers was 8.79 years (range, 2.33-26.83 years). Six patients were alive and disease-free, 3 developed local recurrence, and 3 had metachronous head and neck cancers.

The risk factors and etiology of head and neck cancers in patients with hematological malignancy may be different from the ordinary population.