Incidence of multiple primary malignancies. A retrospective study of ten years

Retrospective data of 116 patients with first malignant disorder (lymphoma, acute leukemia and solid tumors) admitted to the M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute at Houston, from 1966 to 1976 were reviewed. One hundred three patients had an additional malignant tumor and thirteen patients developed two or three neoplasm as regards to the first diagnosis. The second tumor was asymptomatic in many patients and subsequently was an autopsy finding. Although no statistical correlations were found among malignancies, the majority of patients had solid tumors as first neoplasms. In addition, the etiopathogenic mechanisms responsible for the "polycancerization syndrome" remain controversial. Prospective studies are orientated to set up whether anticancer agents and other factors are responsible for additional malignant conditions or not.