[Prevalence of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma among Patients with Head and Neck Cancer: A Single-Center Study]

Patients with head and neck cancer have an increased risk of developing second primary tumors in the esophagus, which negatively impacts prognosis. Early detection can significantly improve survival.

To evaluate the prevalence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in patients with head and neck cancer, in addition to describing the epidemiological profile of these patients.

We retrospectively analyzed a database of patients with a current or previous diagnosis of head and neck cancer who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy for screening of second primary tumors during 2022 at a renowned referral center in São Paulo.

A total of 177 patients with head and neck cancer were evaluated, but only 165 met the inclusion criteria. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma was detected in 4.84% (95% CI: 2.1 - 9.2) of the evaluated patients (8 out of 165 cases), and half of the cases were diagnosed at advanced stages. Most patients were men (79%), with a mean age of 65 years. Most were smokers, with a primary tumor located in the oropharynx. Esophageal lesions measuring 7 mm or more were significantly associated with neoplasia.

The prevalence of second primary esophageal tumors in patients with head and neck cancer is relevant. Older men smokers with history of oropharyngeal tumor, represent the highestrisk group. In this population, endoscopic lesions measuring 7 millimeters or more should be considered a highrisk marker for neoplasia, which supports the implementation of targeted screening programs for vulnerable populations.