Multiple concomitant oral cavity cancers: Incidence, management, and outcomes

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Surgical Oncology
• Oral Cancer Research

Background:

• Limited understanding of treatment and survival for multiple concomitant oral cavity cancers (MOC).
• Need to clarify clinicopathological features and prognosis of MOC compared to single oral cavity cancers (SOC).

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize clinicopathological features of MOC.
• To compare the prognosis of MOC patients with SOC patients.
• To describe reconstructive strategies for MOC using autologous tissue transfer.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 603 patients with primary oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma undergoing surgery (2006-2014).
• Identification of MOC cases among the reviewed patient cohort.
• Analysis of clinicopathological variables and survival rates.

Main Results:

• 20 MOC cases (3.3%) identified among 603 primary oral cancers.
• MOC and SOC groups showed no significant differences in age, pT/pN values, pathological stage, or invasion.
• Similar 5-year overall survival (72.6% vs. 68.7%) and disease-free survival (65.3% vs. 64.8%) for MOC and SOC.
• Anterolateral thigh flap commonly used for reconstruction; classification of reconstructive options proposed.

Conclusions:

• MOC and SOC share similar clinicopathological characteristics.
• Prognosis for MOC patients is comparable to that of SOC patients.
• Curative intent resections are feasible; multidisciplinary team management is crucial for individualized MOC treatment.