Medical aspects of head and neck cancer

Certain medical aspects of advanced head and neck cancer observed in 191 patients referred to a medical oncology service over a 14-year period are presented in this review. While these tumors constitute an uncommon group of advanced neoplasms, the disability and impairment associated with this disease are great. Infections, folate deficiency, and hypercalcemia are frequent complications and generally detected. The occurrence of pulmonary tuberculosis, cardiovascular and neurologic sequelae were infrequent but may be generally under-recognized. Additionally, head and neck cancer patients were found to develop second malignancies in remote sites with surprising frequency as well as demonstrating the predilection to develop second primary tumors within the same area.