Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM: To analyze the clinical features and prevalence of synchronous and metachronous second primary malignancies (SPMs) in patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HSCC), their associated risk factors, and cause-specific mortality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 136 patients treated with curative intent at our hospital. Statistical analyses were performed to determine factors predictive of SPM and cause-specific mortality. RESULTS: Sixty-three of 136 patients (46.3%) developed SPM; of these, 41 (30.1%) and 42 (30.9%) had synchronous and metachronous SPMs, respectively, with patient overlap. The most common site of synchronous and metachronous SPMs was the oesophagus (65.8% and 24.4%, respectively); the corresponding overall survival rates were 34.1% and 66.5%, respectively. Furthermore, heavy drinking was significantly correlated with synchronous SPM (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Oesophageal cancer surveillance is recommended for patients with HSCC, especially heavy drinkers. Our findings may help identify and properly manage HSCC patients at high risk of SPMs.