Multiple malignancies in patients with primary carcinomas of the head and neck

Eight hundred and twenty-five patients with primary carcinomas of the head and neck area were studied. Of these, there were 54 individuals with multiple primary neoplasms. Synchronous lesions occurred in 19 patients while nonsynchronous lesions occurred in 35. The frequency of occurrence of second neoplasms was 6.5%, which nearly doubles that of previously recorded series. A conclusion which can be made from this study is that, as long as the carcinogenic agent (alcohol and/or tobacco) continues to be present, the patient will continue to be affected.