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Secondary Malignancies: The Cost of Progress
Allan W Silberman1, Humair S Quadri1, Farin Amersi1
1Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, 22494Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
The American Surgeon
|December 22, 2020
Summary
Patients surviving initial cancer face increased risk of secondary malignancies, particularly breast and colon cancers. Ongoing surveillance and screening are crucial for early detection of these additional cancers.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Research
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Cancer survivorship is increasing due to treatment advances.
- Long-term cancer survivors are at higher risk for developing secondary malignancies.
- Limited data exists on secondary malignancy risks after common cancer treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence and characteristics of secondary malignancies in patients with a history of common solid tumors.
- To identify predisposing clinical factors associated with secondary cancer development.
Main Methods:
- A prospectively maintained database (1996-2016) was queried.
- Patients with initial breast cancer, colorectal cancer, melanoma, sarcoma, gastric, or pancreatic adenocarcinoma were identified.
- Development of additional malignancies and predisposing factors were analyzed.
Main Results:
- 756 patients with a first solid malignancy developed a second malignancy.
- 606 patients (80.1%) had initial common cancers; breast and colon cancers were most frequent secondary malignancies.
- 8.3% of patients had known genetic mutations (BRCA, Lynch).
Conclusions:
- Cancer survivors require continued surveillance and screening for secondary malignancies.
- Early detection strategies are essential for managing increased cancer risk in survivors.
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