Second Primary Malignancies - a Retrospective Analysis from a Regional Cancer Centre of South India

The early diagnosis and aggressive treatment in patients diagnosed with a cancer led them to lead a life with a good survival rate. This in turn leads to increase in the number of second primary malignancies. Our article aims to report the prevalence and survival of both synchronous and metachronous second primary malignancies and challenges in treatment by reviewing our retrospective data. A hospital based gathering of retrospective data of the patients diagnosed with second primary malignancies over 9 years from January 2014 to June 2022. Patient details with regards to age, sex, distribution of primary sites, histopathology reports, synchronous or metachronous, treatment details are recorded (Patients fulfilling IARC Definition and Warren Gates criteria). A total of 86 patients were analysed in the retrospective data of whom females contribute the most - 74.4% (n = 64). Metachronous type of tumours - 68.6% (n = 59) are common than synchronous tumours. Overall, patients with breast cancer are more vulnerable for second primary malignancies accounting for 31% and second primary were prone to occur in the ovary followed by cervix. The median survival following first primary tumour diagnosis was 44 months and that of the second primary tumour was 11 months. With advanced screening procedures and evolving treatments, the incidence of second primary malignancies is steadily increasing and the outcomes are poorer since there are no proper set guidelines. More awareness, research and studies are needed to investigate in the treatment of second primary malignancies.