The relation between an esophageal cancer and associated cancers in adjacent organs

Clonal relationship and alcohol consumption-associated mutational signature in synchronous hypopharyngeal tumours and oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The patients with dual oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and hypopharyngeal cancer (HPC) have poor prognosis; their underlying genetic pathogenesis is unclear. We hypothesise that development of synchronous ESCC/HPC depends on multicentricity or independent origin, rather than multifocality due to local or lateral spreading.

METHOD

Multiple region whole-exome sequencing (M-WES) and clonality analysis were used to assess clonal relationship and spatial inter- or intra-tumour heterogeneity (ITH) in 62 tumour regions from eight dual ESCC/HPC and ten ESCC patients.

RESULTS

All synchronous ESCC/HPC patients had COSMIC 16 mutation signatures, compared to only 40% ESCC in the current study (p = 0.013) and public data set (n = 165, p = 0.003). This alcohol consumption-related mutation signature 16, commonly involved in multiple alcohol-related cancers, was significantly associated with drinking and alcohol metabolism-related ADH1B rs1229984. The mutational landscape and copy number profiles were completely distinct between the two primary tumours; clonality analysis further suggested the two primary tumours shared no or only one clone accompanying independent subclone evolution. M-WES strategy demonstrated higher sensitivity and accuracy for detection of mutational prevalence and the late branch mutations among different regions in the ESCC tumours, compared to traditional sequencing analysis based on single biopsy strategy. Patients with high ITH assessed by cancer cell fraction analysis after M-WES were significantly associated with both relapse and survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Our hypothesis-generating M-WES ITH assessment data have implications for prognostication. Collectively, our findings support multicentric independent clonal evolution, the field cancerisation theory, and suggest novel insights implicating an aetiologic role of alcohol metabolism in dual ESCC/HPC carcinogenesis.

Synchronous esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma: A rare case report

Multiple primary malignancies in general and synchronous cancers, in particular, are relatively rare but have increased in recent decades. We report a case of a 62-year-old Vietnamese male who visited our hospital with the chief symptom was mild dysphagia. An irregular lesion causing the total luminal obstruction was detected at the low third part of the esophagus via endoscopy and two suspicious nodules in the segment V of the liver were incidentally encountered through the Computed tomography (CT). Multiple biopsies from the lesions were then performed. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry results demonstrated Squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus and Hepatocellular carcinoma of the liver, which verified the existence of synchronous cancers in the patient.

Analysis of Outcomes of Pharyngo-laryngo-esophagectomy and Reconstruction with Longitudinal Comparison in a Single Institution

Advanced hypopharyngeal tumours present complex clinical challenges, and where resection is attempted, there is a requirement for major reconstruction. Despite advances in surgical technique, outcomes remain poor for this patient group, and optimum treatment has yet to be established. We aimed to assess the treatment and outcomes of patients in our institution in the context of previous studies. All patients from 2008 to 2018 who underwent surgical management for hypopharyngeal tumours with pharyngo-laryngo-esophagectomy and flap-based reconstruction were included in the study. Demographic and outcome data were collected, and patient-reported outcomes were solicited from surviving patients using the EORTC QLQ H&N 43 questionnaire. Thirty patients were assessed, in which 12 had gastric pull-ups, 16 had free jejunum flaps, and 2 had free anterolateral thigh flaps. There was a 38% five-year survival rate. Overall, the rates of stricture (10.7%) and fistula (7.1%) were low. The majority of patients (53.6%) returned to a normal diet within three months with a soft or puree diet in 35.7% of patients. Some form of speech was possible in 92.9% of patients. The average questionnaire score for surviving patients was 87.3, with good outcomes related to eating and swallowing, but poorer outcomes for speech and communication. This study showed that outcomes for patients receiving complex reconstruction following hypopharyngeal tumour resection are improving over time. There is still scope for improvement of patient outcomes and refinement of optimum surgical management strategies.

Early gastric cancer detection in high-risk patients: a multicentre randomised controlled trial on the effect of second-generation narrow band imaging

OBJECTIVE

Early detection of gastric cancer has been the topic of major efforts in high prevalence areas. Whether advanced imaging methods, such as second-generation narrow band imaging (2G-NBI) can improve early detection, is unknown.

DESIGN

This open-label, randomised, controlled tandem trial was conducted in 13 hospitals. Patients at increased risk for gastric cancer were randomly assigned to primary white light imaging (WLI) followed by secondary 2G-NBI (WLI group: n=2258) and primary 2G-NBI followed by secondary WLI (2G-NBI group: n=2265) performed by the same examiner. Suspected early gastric cancer (EGC) lesions in both groups were biopsied. Primary endpoint was the rate of EGC patients in the primary examination. The main secondary endpoint was the positive predictive value (PPV) for EGC in suspicious lesions detected (primary examination).

RESULTS

EGCs were found in 44 (1.9%) and 53 (2.3%; p=0.412) patients in the WLI and 2G-NBI groups, respectively, during primary EGD. In a post hoc analysis, the overall rate of lesions detected at the second examination was 25% (n=36/145), with no significant differences between groups. PPV for EGC in suspicious lesions was 13.5% and 20.9% in the WLI (50/371 target lesions) and 2G-NBI groups (59/282 target lesions), respectively (p=0.015).

CONCLUSION

The overall sensitivity of primary endoscopy for the detection of EGC in high-risk patients was only 75% and should be improved. 2G-NBI did not increase EGC detection rate over conventional WLI. The impact of a slightly better PPV of 2G-NBI has to be evaluated further.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

UMIN000014503.

Co-Occurrence of Hotspot Point Mutation and Novel Deletion Mutation of TERT Promoter in Solid Variant Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in a Patient with Synchronous Esophageal Cancer

(1) Introduction: Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutations are associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes in papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs). Two substitution mutations, C228T (c.1-124C>T) and C250T (c.1-146C>T), make up most of the mutations and occur in a mutually exclusive manner. (2) Case presentation: A 72-year-old man was initially referred to a tertiary hospital for treatment of esophageal cancer. Preoperative imaging revealed a 3.2 cm thyroid nodule pathologically diagnosed as PTC on needle biopsy. The patient underwent thyroid lobectomy with esophagectomy and was finally diagnosed with synchronous solid variant PTC (SVPTC) and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Sanger sequencing using DNA from the thyroid tumor showed an indel mutation, c.1-132_1-124delinsT, composed of a deletion (c.1-132_1-125del) as well as a hotspot mutation (c.1-124C>T(C228T)) in the TERT promoter. (3) Conclusions: This is the first report of PTC harboring a novel deletion along with a hotspot mutation in the TERT promoter in a patient with synchronous esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Definitive radiotherapy in patients of synchronous esophageal and head and neck cancer-treatment outcome and toxicity

AIM

The aim is to retrospectively evaluate the clinical outcomes and treatment related toxicities in patients of synchronous esophageal and head & neck cancer when treated with definitive radiotherapy with or without concurrent chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND

Patients of esophageal cancer with a synchronous second primary in head and neck region can be treated with definitive radiotherapy but the clinical outcome has been reported to be poor.

METHOD AND DESIGN

This is a single institutional retrospective study. Twenty-five patients fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria were evaluated. The survival was analysed using Kaplan-Meir method and their relations with various clinicopathologic parameters were compared.

RESULTS

After a median follow-up time of 14 months, the 1 year and 2 year survival was 60% and 17% respectively. Significant improvement in overall survival was observed in patients with early staged esophageal cancer then locally advanced disease (P = 0.03). Patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer had poor survival than with early stage disease (P = 0.06). Those who received concurrent chemotherapy had better survival than those with radiotherapy alone. 40% patients developed grade III & IV dermatitis and 48% patients developed grade III oral mucositis.

CONCLUSION

Chemoradiotherapy can safely be offered to patients with synchronous esophageal and head and neck cancer.

Near-focus magnification and second-generation narrow-band imaging for early gastric cancer in a randomized trial

BACKGROUND

Magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging (NBI) is effective for the diagnosis of early gastric cancer (EGC). However, magnifying endoscopy is not yet popular globally because of the required level of skill and lack of availability. To overcome these problems, dual-focus endoscopy (standard- and near-focus (NF) modes) has been developed. In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic performance of NF with second-generation (2G)-NBI (NF-NBI) for the diagnosis of EGC.

METHODS

This was a secondary analysis of a multicenter randomized controlled trial of 4523 high-risk patients who underwent gastroscopies at 13 institutions in Japan. Patients were randomly assigned to white-light imaging (WLI) followed by 2G-NBI or to 2G-NBI followed by WLI. Lesions suspicious for EGC, newly detected by non-magnifying WLI or 2G-NBI, were subsequently observed with NF-NBI. All detected lesions were biopsied or resected. The diagnostic performance of NF-NBI was compared with the final histology.

RESULTS

A total of 870 detected lesions (145 EGC, 725 non-EGC) were analyzed. Overall diagnostic performance for EGC using NF-NBI was accuracy 87.7%, sensitivity 60.7%, specificity 93.1%, positive predictive value 63.8%, and negative predictive value 92.2%. There were no significant differences in diagnostic performance between lesions detected by WLI or 2G-NBI. For lesions diagnosed with high (333 lesions) and low (537 lesions) confidences, accuracy was 92.2% and 84.9%, sensitivity was 64.7% and 58.5%, and specificity was 90.5% and 88.8%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The diagnostic performance of NF-NBI is good and acceptable for diagnosis of EGC in combination with either WLI or 2G-NBI.

Artificial intelligence system for detecting superficial laryngopharyngeal cancer with high efficiency of deep learning

BACKGROUND

There are no published reports evaluating the ability of artificial intelligence (AI) in the endoscopic diagnosis of superficial laryngopharyngeal cancer (SLPC). We presented our newly developed diagnostic AI model for SLPC detection.

METHODS

We used RetinaNet for object detection. SLPC and normal laryngopharyngeal mucosal images obtained from narrow-band imaging were used for the learning and validation data sets. Each independent data set comprised 400 SLPC and 800 normal mucosal images. The diagnostic AI model was constructed stage-wise and evaluated at each learning stage using validation data sets.

RESULTS

In the validation data sets (100 SLPC cases), the median tumor size was 13.2 mm; flat/elevated/depressed types were found in 77/21/2 cases. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy improved each time a learning image was added and were 95.5%, 98.4%, and 97.3%, respectively, after learning all SLPC and normal mucosal images.

CONCLUSIONS

The novel AI model is helpful for detection of laryngopharyngeal cancer at an early stage.

High incidence of head and neck cancers after endoscopic resection for esophageal cancer in younger patients

BACKGROUND

Second cancers in patients with esophageal cancer (EC) are common and have a poor prognosis. We evaluated the incidence of second cancers at different sites by patients' ages when their index ECs were diagnosed.

METHODS

This study included patients who underwent endoscopic resection for superficial EC at our hospital between September 1994 and September 2011. Patients' data, including sex, age at diagnosis, sequence of cancer incidence, cancer histology, and cancer site, were extracted from the cancer registry.

RESULTS

Of 544 patients, 255 developed second cancers. Simultaneous head and neck cancers (HNCs) and other organ cancers (OCs) were, respectively, present in 15% (80/544) and 9.6% (52/544) of patients; and 30% (162/544) developed metachronous second cancers over a median follow-up period of 79.5 months (range 2-120), including 44 metachronous HNCs and 70 OCs. The cumulative incidence of metachronous HNCs was significantly higher in younger patients (< 60 years) than in older patients (≥ 60 years; P = 0.001), whereas the cumulative incidence of OCs was significantly higher in older patients than in younger patients (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of second HNC after index EC was higher in younger-onset patients than in older-onset patients. We suggest that younger patients with EC should be carefully monitored for early detection of second HNC.

Genetic Polymorphisms in the RAD51 Gene with a Risk of Head and Neck Cancer and Esophageal Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Background

The role of RAD51 gene polymorphisms with the development of head and neck cancer (HNC) and esophageal cancer (EC) remains controversial. This meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the correlation between the RAD51 polymorphisms and these two cancers quantitatively.

Methods

Databases of PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were used to search relevant papers prior to August 17, 2019. STATA 11.0 was performed to observe the correlation.

Results

Ten relevant papers were enrolled in our analysis. Overall, a significant correlation was observed between the rs1801320 polymorphism and the increased risk of these two cancers (OR = 1.32, 95%CI = 1.03-1.71 for C vs. G; OR = 1.50, 95%CI = 1.03-2.19 for CG vs. GG; and OR = 1.44, 95%CI = 1.05-1.99 for CC+CG vs. GG). In subgroup analyses, an increased risk was found for EC (OR = 2.07, 95%CI = 1.01-4.25 for C vs. G; OR = 2.08, 95%CI = 1.17-3.71 for CC vs. GG; and OR = 1.78, 95%CI = 1.00-3.15 for CC vs. CG+GG), but not for HNC. Moreover, our analysis revealed that no statistical evidence of correlation was discovered between the polymorphism of rs1801321 and the increased risk of HNC. However, stratified analysis based on ethnicity suggested that rs1801321 polymorphism was related to the decreased risk of HNC among Caucasians (OR = 0.82, 95%CI = 0.72-0.95 for T vs. G).

Conclusions

rs1801320 polymorphism was strongly associated with the risk of these two associated cancers, especially with esophageal cancer. Moreover, our results revealed that rs1801321 polymorphism was correlated to the decreased risk of HNC among Caucasians.

Multiple primary malignancies for squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus

Background

Patients with esophageal cancer (EC) frequently have multiple primary cancers. We conducted the present study to assess the risk of multiple primary malignancies for patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (AC) of the esophagus and to investigate the influence of multiple primary tumors on the prognosis of EC patients.

Methods

Using the data of 44,091 EC patients from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database, we calculated the standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) for overall multiple primary cancers and cancers at particular sites among EC survivors. The SIRs of esophageal SCC and AC patients were compared using Poisson regression. The Kaplan-Meier (KM) method was used for survival analysis.

Results

Multiple primary cancer risk was significantly increased among both esophageal SCC and AC survivors (SIR: 2.28 and 1.57, respectively; P<0.001). Among SCC patients, the highest SIRs were found in the oral cavity and pharynx (SIR: 16.54), esophagus (SIR: 10.02), and larynx (SIR: 10.34). Also, the highest SIRs following AC cases were observed in the esophagus (SIR: 8.81), stomach (SIR: 9.29), and small intestine (SIR: 4.95). SIRs for the oral cavity and pharynx, lung, and larynx were significantly higher among SCC survivors than AC survivors (all P<0.05). KM analysis revealed no significant difference of overall survival (OS) for multiple primary cancers, including those of the esophagus, stomach, oral cavity and pharynx, and lung among EC patients (log rank =2.04; P=0.564), except for prostate cancer (log rank =96.65; P<0.001).

Conclusions

Multiple primary malignancy risk differed by the histological type of esophageal SSC and AC survivor. However, no significant relationship between survival and the multiple primary cancer sites, except for prostate cancer, was observed.

Pharyngeal observation via transoral endoscopy using a lip cover-type mouthpiece

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Simultaneous and metachronous head and neck cancers are likely to develop in patients with current or previous esophageal cancer. The Valsalva maneuver facilitates the visualization of the hypopharyngeal area during endoscopic observation, but it requires transnasal endoscopy. We developed a novel Valsalva maneuver using transoral endoscopy with a lip cover-type mouthpiece.

METHODS

Between March 2018 and July 2018, 107 patients with current or previous esophageal cancer who were scheduled to undergo upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were included in our pilot study. We performed the Valsalva maneuver using our newly developed mouthpiece and transoral endoscopy in the patients and evaluated the hypopharyngeal region, including the postcricoid area and the posterior wall of the hypopharynx. The outcome measure was procedural success rate, which was graded as "complete," "incomplete," and "none."

RESULTS

Observation of the hypopharyngeal area was "complete" in 81 patients (76%) using the Valsalva maneuver. However, in 25 patients and in 1 patient, observation was "incomplete" and "none," respectively. Seven lesions were newly detected in seven patients during the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

The Valsalva maneuver using transoral endoscopy with a lip cover-type mouthpiece is feasible for the visualization of the postcricoid area and the posterior wall of the hypopharynx. Particularly, this technique would contribute to early detection of head and neck cancers.

Risk Factors Linking Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma With Head and Neck Cancer or Gastric Cancer

GOALS

To investigate retrospectively the risk factors for synchronous and metachronous cancers in the upper gastrointestinal tract in patients with superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

BACKGROUND

In patients who have received endoscopic resection (ER) for ESCC, synchronous and metachronous cancers are frequently detected not only in the esophagus but also in the head and neck area and the stomach.

STUDY

A total of 285 patients who received ER for superficial ESCC were enrolled in this analysis. These patients were periodically followed-up endoscopically. Cumulative occurrence rates of the metachronous second primary cancers were determined by Kaplan-Meier method. Risk factors for synchronous and metachronous cancers in the head and neck area and the stomach were determined by logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

During a mean follow-up period of 76 months, the 5-year cumulative occurrence of metachronous esophageal, head and neck, and stomach cancer was 14.0%, 2.8%, and 4.1%, respectively. Although the presence of multiple lugol-voiding lesions in the esophagus was a significant risk factor for synchronous and metachronous head and neck cancers (odds ratio, 3.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.7-9.0), older age (>65 y) was a significant risk factor for synchronous and metachronous gastric cancer (odds ratio, 3.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-9.3).

CONCLUSIONS

The risk factors for the cooccurrence of head and neck cancer and that of gastric cancer in patients with ESCC differ. This information will likely be useful for managing patients who have been treated with ER for ESCC and who possess carcinogenic potential throughout the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Detection of Second Primary Malignancies of the Esophagus and Hypophraynx in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients

Objective

To assess the usefulness of modified esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) for the detection of second primary malignancies of the esophagus or hypopharynx in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma and determine the association between the oral lesion subsite and esophageal or hypopharyngeal lesion occurrence.

Study Design

Retrospective review.

Methods

In total, 166 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma without any established symptoms of esophageal or hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma underwent modified EGD based on the Valsalva maneuver and U-turn method, image-enhanced endoscopy, and chromoendoscopy using Lugol's iodine for diagnosis. All suspected lesions were biopsied to determine the clinical stages and duplication rates. Odds ratios for the occurrence of duplicate lesions according to the oral lesion subsite were determined.

Results

In total, 37 esophageal and 16 hypopharyngeal lesions were detected. According to the Union for International Cancer Control/American Joint Committee on Cancer classification (2009), 75.7% and 5.4% esophageal lesions were classified as stage IA and IB, respectively, and 50% and 18.8% hypopharyngeal lesions as stage II and stage I, respectively. Approximately 59.1% and 50% esophageal and hypopharyngeal lesions, respectively, were successfully treated by endoscopic resection. Oral lesions involving the floor of the mouth were more frequently accompanied by second primary malignancies of the esophagus or hypopharynx.

Conclusions

Modified EGD is an effective noninvasive technique for early diagnosis and treatment of second primary malignancies of the esophagus and hypopharynx in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. In particular, patients with floor of the mouth lesions need close monitoring for hypopharyngeal and esophageal lesions.

Level of Evidence

3b.

Synchronous triple squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus

BACKGROUND

Synchronous multiple primary malignancies of the esophagus and other organs are relatively unusual, but only five articles have published two synchronous cancers, both in the esophagus. This is the first published case of a triple esophageal carcinoma.

CASE REPORT

A 43-year-old man was referred to our hospital with severe progressive dysphagia and epigastric pain for almost one year. Endoscopy and imaging exams revealed three tumors located in upper, middle and lower esophagus. The upper and middle esophageal cancers were irresectable, and the patient was treated with radio- and chemotherapy. He survived 11 months after the diagnosis and died due to severe undernutrition and bilateral pneumonia.

CONCLUSION

In presence of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus, propedeutics should be carefully performed in order to verify the occurrence of other synchronous tumors in the esophagus and other organs, mainly head and neck and bronchial regions.

A retrospective study of treatment for curative synchronous double primary cancers of the head and neck and the esophagus

OBJECTIVE

Curative synchronous double primary cancers of the head and neck and the esophagus (CSC-HE) are frequently detected, but a standard treatment remains to be established. We studied the clinical course to explore appropriate treatment strategies.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied consecutive 33 patients who had CSC-HE. The disease stage was classified into 4 groups: group A, early head and neck cancer (HNC) and early esophageal cancer (EC); group B, early HNC and advanced EC; group C, advanced HNC and early EC; and group D, advanced HNC and advanced EC. As induction chemotherapy, the patients received 3 courses of TPF therapy (docetaxel 75mg/m² on day 1, cisplatin 75mg/m² on day 1, and 5-fluorouracil 750mg/m² on days 1-5) at 3-week intervals. The clinical courses and treatment outcomes were studied according to the disease stage of CSC-HE.

RESULTS

The disease stage of CSC-HE was group A in 1 patient (3%), group B in 9 patients (27.3%), group C in 3 patients (9.1%), and group D in 20 patients (60.6%). The median follow-up was 26months, and the 2-year overall survival rate was 67.4%. In groups A, B, and C, the 2-year overall survival rate was 83.3%. In group D, the 2-year overall survival rate was 62.6%. Ten of 20 patients in group D received induction chemotherapy with TPF, and 6 patients were alive and disease free at the time of this writing.

CONCLUSION

The treatment outcomes of patients with CSC-HE were relatively good. TPF induction chemotherapy might be an effective treatment for patients with advanced HNC and advanced EC.

The bidirectional association between oral cancer and esophageal cancer: A population-based study in Taiwan over a 28-year period

Previous studies have revealed that patients with oral or esophageal cancer are at higher risk for subsequently developing a second primary malignancy. However, it remains to be determined what association exists between oral cancer and esophageal cancer particularly in Asian countries where squamous cell carcinoma is the predominant type of esophageal cancer. A population-based study was carried out in Taiwan, where the incidence rates of both oral and esophageal squamous cell carcinomas are high, to test the hypothesis that oral cancer or esophageal cancer predisposes an individual to developing the other form of cancer. Our results showed that patients with primary oral cancer (n=45,859) had ten times the risk of second esophageal cancer compared to the general population. Within the same cohort, the reciprocal risk of oral cancer as a second primary in primary esophageal cancer patients (n=16,658) was also increased seven-fold. The bidirectional relationship suggests common risk factors between these two cancers. The present study is not only the first population-based study in Asia to validate the reciprocal relationship between oral and esophageal squamous cell carcinomas, but also will aid in the appropriate selection of high-risk patients for a future follow-up surveillance program.

Revisiting the gastric pull-up for pharyngoesophageal reconstruction: A systematic review and meta-analysis of mortality and morbidity

Gastric pull-up (GPU) is among the oldest techniques for reconstructing the pharyngoesophageal junction following cancer resection. This review examines morbidity and mortality rates following GPU pharyngoesophageal junction reconstruction from 1959 until present: 77 studies, 2,705 patients. The odds of mortality, anastomotic complications, and other complications decreased by 37.2% (95%CI = 28.0-45.3%; P < 0.0001), 8.0% (95%CI = -2.1 to 17.1%; P = 0.12), 21.0% (95%CI 3.5-35.2%; P = 0.021) per decade respectively. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:907-914. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Synchronous second primary cancers in patients with squamous esophageal cancer: clinical features and survival outcome

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Unexpected diagnosis of synchronous second primary cancers (SPC) complicates physicians' decision-making because clinical details of squamous esophageal cancer (EC) patients with SPC have been limited. We evaluated clinical features and treatment outcomes of patients with synchronous SPC detected during the initial staging of squamous EC.

METHODS

We identified a total of 317 consecutive patients diagnosed with squamous EC. Relevant clinical and cancer-specific information were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

EC patients with synchronous SPC were identified in 21 patients (6.6%). There were significant differences in median age (70 years vs. 63 years, p = 0.01), serum albumin level (3.3 g/dL vs. 3.9 g/dL, p < 0.01) and body mass index (20.4 kg/m(2) vs. 22.8 kg/m(2), p = 0.01) between EC patients with and without SPC. Head and neck, lung and gastric cancers accounted for 18.2%, 22.7%, and 18.2% of SPC, respectively. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) detected four cases (18.2%) of SPC that were missed on CT. Management plans were altered in 13 of 21 patients (61.9%) with detected SPC. Curative esophagectomy was attempted in 28.6% of EC patients with SPC (vs. 59.1% of patients without SPC; p = 0.006). EC patients with SPC had significantly lower 5-year survival than patients without SPC (10.6% vs. 36.7%, p = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

Synchronous SPC were found in 6.6% of squamous EC patients, and PET-CT contributed substantially to the detection of synchronous SPC. EC patients with SPC had poor survival due to challenges of providing stage-appropriate treatment.

Successfully treated advanced esophageal cancer with left axillary lymph node metastasis and synchronous right breast cancer: a case report

The incidence of double cancer of the esophagus and breast is rare, and axillary lymph node metastasis (ALM) in esophageal cancer is also very rare. We report a case of advanced esophageal cancer with left ALM and synchronous right breast cancer. A 64-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with dysphagia. The clinical diagnosis was esophageal cancer (T3N0M1 stage IV) and right breast cancer (T1cN0M0 stage I). She was initially treated with triple chemotherapy with docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil. The primary lesion in the esophagus achieved almost complete response as assessed by esophageal endoscopy. A computed tomography scan showed that the left ALM reduced in size and that stable disease was achieved for the right breast cancer. She underwent partial mastectomy of the right breast and bilateral axillary lymph node dissection. The histopathological diagnosis of the breast cancer was T1cN1M0 stage IIA. The lymph nodes from the left axilla contained metastatic cells from the squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. Complete response was achieved for the primary lesion in the esophagus following chemoradiotherapy (CRT), and the patient has been relapse free 2 years after treatment. Thus, we report the successful treatment of synchronous double cancers of the esophagus with left ALM and right breast by combination therapy with chemotherapy, CRT, and surgery.

Synchronous primary esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and gastric adenocarcinoma: analysis of 41 cases treated in a single institution

The present study investigated the treatment and survival outcomes of patients with synchronous primary esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and gastric adenocarcinoma. The medical records of 10,783 patients with primary esophageal squamous cancer treated at our institution between 1995 and 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Overall survival (OS) rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The incidence was 0.38% (41/10,783). Of these 41 patients, 26 underwent curative surgery, ten received palliative chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and five received no treatment. The median OS of the surgery, palliative-therapy, and treatment-free groups was 17.1, 9.0, and 3.8 months, respectively. The 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year OS rates for the surgery group were 77%, 45%, 33%, and 19%, respectively. No significant differences in median OS were observed between the surgery group and the historical cohort of isolated esophageal cancer (n = 186) (17.1 vs. 21.0 months, P = 0.061) or isolated gastric cancer (n = 51) (17.1 vs. 28.9 months, P = 0.875), or between the palliative-therapy group and its corresponding historical cohort (n = 30) (9.0 vs. 8.3 months, P = 0.862). The survival outcomes of patients with synchronous primary esophageal squamous and gastric cancers were not worse than those of patients with isolated esophageal cancer or isolated gastric cancer.

Narrow-Band Imaging Magnifying Endoscopy versus Lugol Chromoendoscopy with Pink-Color Sign Assessment in the Diagnosis of Superficial Esophageal Squamous Neoplasms: A Randomised Noninferiority Trial

Previous studies have shown the high diagnostic accuracy of narrow-band imaging magnifying endoscopy (NBI-ME) and Lugol chromoendoscopy with pink-color sign assessment (LCE-PS) for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SESCC). However, there has been no controlled trial comparing these two diagnostic techniques. We conducted a randomized noninferiority trial to compare the diagnostic accuracy of NBI-ME and LCE-PS. We recruited patients with, or with a history of, squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neck region or in the esophagus. They were randomly assigned to either NBI-ME or LCE-PS. When lesions > 5 mm in diameter were found as brownish areas on NBI or as Lugol-voiding lesions (LVL), they were evaluated to determine whether they are SESCC on the basis of the findings of NBI-ME or PS in the LVL. NBI-ME and LCE-PS were completed in 147 patients each. There was no significant difference in all diagnostic values between the two techniques. Compared with LCE-PS, NBI-ME showed a significantly shorter examination time but a larger number of misdiagnosed lesions especially in patients with many irregularly shaped multiform LVLs. Compared with LCE-PS, NBI-ME might be similarly accurate and less invasive, but less reliable in patients with many LVLs, in the diagnosis of SESCC.

Curative two-stage resection for synchronous triple cancers of the esophagus, colon, and liver: Report of a case

INTRODUCTION

Cases of synchronous triple cancers of the esophagus and other organs curatively resected are rare.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 73-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with bloody feces. He was diagnosed with synchronous triple cancers of the esophagus, colon, and liver. We selected a two-stage operation to safely achieve curative resection for all three cancers. The first stage of the operation comprised a laparoscopy-assisted sigmoidectomy and partial liver resection via open surgery. The patient was discharged without complications. Thirty days later, he was readmitted and thoracoscopic esophagectomy was performed. Although pneumonia-induced pulmonary aspiration occurred as a postoperative complication, it was treated conservatively. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 24.

DISCUSSION

Esophagectomy is a highly invasive procedure; thus, simultaneous surgery for plural organs, including the esophagus, may induce life-threatening, severe complications. Two-stage surgery is useful in reducing surgical stress in high-risk patients. For synchronous multiple cancers, the planning of two-stage surgery should be considered for each cancer to maintain organ function and reduce the stress and difficulty of each stage.

CONCLUSION

We successfully treated synchronous triple cancers, including esophageal cancer, by a two-stage operation.

Prevalence and management of colorectal neoplasia in surgically treated esophageal cancer patients

AIMS

The existence of other primary tumors during the treatment of esophageal cancer patients has been an important issue. Our aim is to investigate the prevalence and management of colorectal neoplasia (CRN) in surgically treated esophageal cancer patients.

METHODS

Between 2002 and 2008, 93 patients with esophageal cancer were surgically treated. Seventy-three patients underwent subtotal esophagectomy and 20 underwent lower esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. Colonoscopy was available for detecting CRN before and after surgery.

RESULTS

Eighty-nine (95.7%) of the 93 patients were screened by colonoscopy preoperatively or within a year from the operation. Thirty-nine patients (43.8%) with CRN were synchronously identified: adenoma in 34 (38.2%) and adenocarcinoma in 5 patients (5.6%). Eleven adenomas with high grade-dysplasia and 8 adenomas with low grade-dysplasia were removed endoscopically. Three superficial adenocarcinomas were endoscopically removed before surgery, and 2 adenocarcinomas were surgically removed. Seventy-four patients (83.1%) were followed using colonoscopy, and 11 subsequent CRN, including 2 superficial adenocarcinomas, were endoscopically detected in 8 patients (10.8%). The size of esophageal cancer was larger in the patients with than without CRN (p = 0.036). The body mass index in esophageal cancer patients with CRN tended to be higher than in those without CRN (p = 0.065).

CONCLUSIONS

We noted that esophageal cancer is frequently associated with synchronous and/or metachronous colorectal cancer and adenomas. Colonoscopy is useful to detect and manage CRN before and after esophagectomy, although a few limitations exist.

Secondary primary malignancy risk among patients with esophageal cancer in Taiwan: a nationwide population-based study

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the risk and sites of metachronous secondary primary malignancies (SPMs) among patients with esophageal cancer.

METHODS

Newly diagnosed esophageal cancer patients between 1997 and 2011 were recruited. To avoid surveillance bias, SPMs that developed within one year were excluded. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) of metachronous SPMs in these patients were calculated by comparing to the cancer incidence in the general population. Risk factors for SPM development, included age, sex, comorbidities and cancer-related treatments, were estimated by Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

During the 15-year study period, 870 SPMs developed among 18,026 esophageal cancer patients, with a follow-up of 27,056 person-years. The SIR for all cancers was 3.53. The SIR of follow-up period ≥ 10 years was 3.56; 5-10 years, 3.14; and 1-5 years, 3.06. The cancer SIRs of head and neck (15.83), stomach (3.30), lung and mediastinum (2.10), kidney (2.24) and leukemia (2.72), were significantly increased. Multivariate analysis showed that age ≥ 60 years (hazard ratio [HR] 0.74), being male (HR 1.46) and liver cirrhosis (HR 1.46) were independent factors. According to the treatments, major surgery (HR 1.24) increased the risk, but chemotherapy was nearly significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with esophageal cancer were at increased risk of developing metachronous SPMs. The SIR remained high in follow-up > 10 years, so that close monitoring may be needed for early detection of SPM among these esophageal cancer patients.

Perspectives on narrow-band imaging endoscopy for superficial squamous neoplasms of the orohypopharynx and esophagus

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Narrow-band imaging (NBI) is widely available and over the last decade has been applied as a detection and characterization technique for superficial neoplasms of the aerodigestive tract. The aims of the present study were to systematically review clinical trials of NBI endoscopy and to investigate an upgraded NBI system using a novel endoscope for superficial squamous neoplasms in the orohypopharynx and esophagus.

METHODS

Studies on the diagnostic use of NBI endoscopy for superficial squamous neoplasms in the orohypopharynx and esophagus were retrieved from MEDLINE and PubMed and reviewed. An upgraded NBI system using a novel endoscope was investigated with our clinical cases.

RESULTS

In many clinical trials, NBI endoscopy with or without magnification had high diagnostic value for superficial squamousneoplasms in the orohypopharynx and esophagus. An upgraded NBI system can produce a significantly brighter endoscopic view than conventional endoscopes with high-quality magnified images that could be used to diagnose superficial squamous neoplasms.

CONCLUSIONS

NBI endoscopy with or without magnification has diagnostic utility for superficial squamous neoplasms in the orohypopharynx and esophagus. The upgraded NBI endoscopic system is expected to facilitate the use of NBI and magnifying endoscopic diagnosis.

Characteristics and prognostic factors of synchronous multiple primary esophageal carcinoma: A report of 52 cases

BACKGROUND

To retrospectively analyze the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of 52 cases of synchronous multiple primary esophageal carcinoma (SMPEC), in order to provide a reference for treatment strategy.

METHODS

Clinical and survival data of 52 patients with SMPEC were analyzed retrospectively. The rates of overall survival (OS), depending on the different factors, were calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. A log-rank test was used for univariate survival analysis and Cox's proportional hazards regression model was used for multivariate survival analysis.

RESULTS

Clinical and survival data of 52 patients with SMPEC, hospitalized from 1 January 2003 to 31 October 2011, were analyzed. Twelve patients underwent surgical resection, five received adjuvant radiotherapy and one received adjuvant radiochemotherapy. Thirty-seven of the 40 non-operative patients received external beam radiation therapy and 20 of them received platinum-based chemotherapy. Another three non-operative patients were given platinum-based chemotherapy alone. The one, three, and five-year OS and the median survival time (MST) were 65.4%, 17.3%, 7.7%, respectively, and 15.0 months for the whole cohort. Tumor length and M stage were independent prognostic factors for the whole cohort by multivariate survival analysis (P = 0.010 and 0.047, respectively). For the radiotherapy subgroup, multivariate analysis of prognostic factors identified that shorter tumor length, M0 stage, and chemotherapy were the predominant independent predictors of long-term survival (P = 0.039, 0.022 and 0.010, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

SMPEC is a relatively rare and aggressive tumor. Combined radiotherapy with chemotherapy seemed to bring a survival benefit and may be a better management choice for unresectable and non-operative SMPEC.

Incidence of second primary malignancies in patients with esophageal cancer: a comprehensive review

BACKGROUND

Development of a second primary malignancy (SPM) after an index esophageal cancer is fairly rare, primarily due to decreased survival in patients with esophageal cancer. However, with advances in early detection and therapy, the number of long-term survivors is increasing, as is the incidence of SPMs in this population.

SCOPE

We review herein the published literature on the incidence of SPMs after an index esophageal cancer as well as its associated risk factors, prognosis and surveillance. We discuss predisposing factors that may contribute to the development of SPMs, epidemiology and attempts at chemoprevention.

FINDINGS

Data from population-based studies, retrospective reviews and case reports indicate an increased risk of SPMs in patients with esophageal cancer with reported incidence rates between 8.3 and 27.1%. Index esophageal squamous cell carcinomas have a higher association with other tobacco-related cancers such as those of the head and neck and lung. They have also shown an association with second primary cancers of the breast, stomach, thyroid, and kidney. Individuals with esophageal adenocarcinomas are at a higher risk of developing second cancers of the stomach, oropharynx and lung/bronchus. Other primary cancer sites involved include the kidney, colorectum and pancreas. Common risk factors including lifestyle and genetic alterations may explain the increased incidence of second primary cancers in this patient population.

CONCLUSIONS

Risk of developing a second malignancy should be anticipated after curative treatment of esophageal cancer, and raises concerns for optimal surveillance and therapy of these patients. Recent literature suggests similar survival rates in esophageal cancer patients with and without SPMs. With the increasing incidence of SPMs in subjects with esophageal cancer, there may be benefit to close screening for and aggressive therapy of SPMs. However, further studies are needed to elucidate optimal management strategies.

Routine endoscopy for esophageal cancer is suggestive for patients with oral, oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer

Background

This study attempted to reveal the incidence and risk of synchronous and metachronous esophageal cancer in subjects with oral, oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer based on a population-wide database in Taiwan.

Methods

We retrieved data for this cross-sectional study from the Taiwanese Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000. The study group included 2,965 subjects who had received their first-time diagnosis of oral/oropharyngeal/hypopharyngeal cancer in 2002∼2009. We assigned the date of their first diagnosis of oral/oropharyngeal/hypopharyngeal cancer as the index date. We also randomly retrieved 29,650 comparison subjects matched with the study subjects in terms of gender and age group. We assigned their first medical utilization that occurred in the index year as the index date for the comparison group. We further performed a conditional logistic regression to investigate the association between esophageal cancer and oral cancer.

Results

Results showed that prevalences of esophageal cancer within 3 months before and after the index date were respectively 2.19% and 0.04% for the study and comparison groups. A conditional logistic regression revealed that the odds ratio (OR) of esophageal cancer for subjects with oral/oropharyngeal/hypopharyngeal cancer was 55.33 (95% confidence interval (CI): 29.86∼102.52) compared to comparison subjects. Furthermore, compared to comparison subjects, ORs for esophageal cancer were respectively 18.41 (95% CI: 8.50–39.85), 40.49 (95% CI: 15.11∼108.64), and 240.96 (95% CI: 125.49–462.69) for study subjects with a malignancy of the oral cavity, oropharynx, and hypopharynx.

Conclusion

We concluded that there were relatively high chances for synchronous and metachronous esophageal cancers being detected through panendoscopy in patients with oral, oropharyngeal, and hypopharyngeal cancers. The routine use of panendoscopy in such patients should be encouraged with a higher priority.

Management of gastric epithelial neoplasia in patients requiring esophagectomy for esophageal cancer

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is occasionally associated with malignancies located in other regions of the alimentary tract, as well as in the head, neck, and upper respiratory tract. The stomach is most commonly used for reconstruction of the alimentary tract after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. When synchronous tumors are located in the stomach, it is often unsuitable for use in esophageal reconstruction. In such cases, an invasive procedure involving anastomosis between the esophagus and the colon must be performed. However, this procedure is associated with a high incidence of mortality and morbidity. Seven patients with synchronous esophageal cancer and gastric epithelial neoplasia were encountered. First, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) was performed for the gastric epithelial neoplasia. Then, following successful ESD, Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy for esophageal cancer was planned 1 to 2 weeks later. A total of 11 gastric epithelial lesions were found in seven patients. En bloc resection by ESD was possible in all 11 lesions and histologically complete resection was achieved in all 11 lesions. Follow-up endoscopy was done 1-2 weeks after ESD; six patients with well-healing ulcers underwent esophagectomy the next day (8 or 15 days after ESD). In one patient with a poorly healed ulcer, a second follow-up endoscopy was done 1 week later and then esophagectomy was performed the next day (22 days after ESD). Post-surgical complications related to ESD, such as bleeding or mediastinal leak, were not seen in any of the seven patients. In patients with synchronous esophageal cancer and gastric epithelial neoplasia, ESD for gastric epithelial neoplasia followed by Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy 1 to 2 weeks later is an effective choice of treatment.

Two-stage operation for synchronous triple primary cancer of the esophagus, stomach, and ampulla of Vater: report of a case

A 69-year-old man with jaundice was diagnosed with cancer of the ampulla of Vater by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and abdominal computed tomography. A screening gastrointestinal endoscopy showed middle thoracic esophageal cancer and early gastric cancer on the anterior wall of the lower gastric body. We chose a two-stage operation for synchronous triple primary cancer of the esophagus, stomach, and ampulla of Vater, in order to safely perform the curative resection of these three cancers. The first-stage operation consisted of a right transthoracic subtotal esophagectomy with mediastinal and cervical lymph node dissection, an external esophagostomy in the neck, and a gastrostomy. Thirty-five days after the first surgery, a total gastrectomy with regional lymph node dissection, and a pancreatoduodenectomy with Child's reconstruction were performed as the second-stage surgery. Esophageal reconstruction was achieved using the ileocolon via the percutaneous route without vascular anastomosis.

Upper gastrointestinal tract cancers as double-cancers in elderly patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

Against a background of a rapidly aging society, the number of patients with oral cancers in Japan is increasing yearly. The number of double-cancers with oral cancer as the first malignancy is also reportedly on the rise. Esophageal and gastric cancers are the most common second malignancies. At our institution, our policy is to proactively perform upper gastrointestinal (GI) fiberscopy (GIF) in patients with oral cancer. In anticipation of a probable further increase in the number of patients with double-cancers consisting of oral and GI tract malignancies, we retrospectively analyzed the occurrence of upper GI tract cancers in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The cohort consisted of 171 patients in whom OSCC had been diagnosed and who had undergone upper GIF between March 1996 and August 2008. Multivariate analysis was performed. Upper GIF identified 8 patients (7 men, 1 woman, totaling 4.7% of 171 patients) with double-cancer in the upper GI tract. One patient had a triple malignancy consisting of oral, esophageal and gastric cancers. Seven patients had esophageal cancer, while two had gastric cancer. An age of over 65 years was significantly higher in patients with double-cancers including esophageal cancer than in patients without esophageal cancer (OR=10.454, 95% CI=1.143-95.621). None of the other analyzed patient factors (sex, smoking habit, drinking habit, site of OSCC, TNM classification, staging results) showed a significant difference. These results indicate that, when treating elderly patients with oral cancers, physicians need to devise suitable treatment plans which take into account the possibility of upper GI tract cancer, particularly esophageal cancer, as a double-cancer.

A comparison of surgery and radiation therapy for cT1 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Surgery and radiation therapy have been used to treat esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. However, treatment outcomes have not yet been extensively investigated. The aim of this study was to compare surgery and radiation therapy for clinical T1 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. A total of 67 clinical T1 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients were treated between January 1997 and December 2005; 29 had undergone radical esophagectomy (surgery group) and 38 were treated with definitive radiation therapy (radiation group). The mean patient age was lower in the surgery group than in the radiation group. In surgery group, respiratory complications, anastomotic leaks, recurrent nerve palsies, and anastomotic stenosis occurred in 7, 8, 6, and 5 patients, respectively. In radiation group, leucopenia, esophagitis, pericarditis were observed in 15, 3, and 3 patients, respectively. The 5-year overall survival rate for the surgery group was 68.9%, and 74.3% for the radiation group. There were no significant difference between groups (P= 0.3780). The 5-year relapse-free survival rate in the surgery group was 61.8% and 38.8% in the radiation group. The relapse-free survival rate was significantly higher in the surgery group than in the radiation group (P= 0.0051). The 5-year overall and relapse-free survival rates for tumors invaded into but not through the muscularis mucosa were 83.3% and 75.0%, respectively, in the surgery group and 78.8% and 33.3%, respectively, in the radiation group. There were no significant differences. The 5-year overall survival rates for patients with tumors that invaded the submucosal layer was 64.9% in the surgery group and 66.5% in the radiation group. This difference was not significant (P= 0.8712). The 5-year relapse-free survival rate in the surgery group (56.0%) was significantly higher than that in the radiation group (41.8%; P= 0.0219). In conclusion, surgery may become a standard treatment for cT1 esophageal cancer that can offer longer relapse-free survival, particularly for patients with tumors that invade the submucosa.

Metachronous adenocarcinoma in a gastric tube after radical surgery for oesophageal cancer

In recent years the prognosis for oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients has improved. Together with this improvement, the occurrence of second primary carcinoma, especially gastric carcinoma, in tubes constructed from the stomach after oesophagectomy must be taken into account. We report a case of a patient who had this clinical presentation, which was revealed not in the normal follow-up, but in a consecutive operation carried out because of an anastomotic problem.

Narrow-band imaging endoscopy with magnification is useful for detecting metachronous superficial pharyngeal cancer in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Head and neck cancers, especially pharyngeal cancers, as well as esophageal cancers frequently coexist either synchronously or metachronously, but most cases of pharyngeal cancer are detected at an advanced stage resulting in poor prognosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of using narrow-band imaging (NBI) endoscopy with magnification for early detection of pharyngeal cancer on patients following their treatment for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

METHODS

This case series was conducted at the National Cancer Center Hospital in Tokyo between April and October 2005 and included 424 consecutive patients for surveillance endoscopy who had previously undergone chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and/or surgery for esophageal SCC. Observation of the pharyngeal region was randomly conducted on 91 patients using NBI endoscopy with magnification (NBI group) and 333 patients using conventional white light endoscopy (control group).

RESULTS

The detection rate for pharyngeal cancer was significantly higher using NBI endoscopy with magnification (10.9%; 10/91) compared with conventional endoscopy (1.2%; 4/333) (P < 0.0001). In particular, the detection rate in CRT patients was significantly higher in the NBI group (12.9%; 7/54) than the control group (0.5%; 1/191) (P < 0.0001). In addition, diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for the NBI group were 100% (10/10), 97.5% (79/81), 97.8% (89/91), 83.3% (10/12) and 100% (79/79), respectively.

CONCLUSION

NBI endoscopy with magnification is a promising technique for detecting superficial pharyngeal cancer at an early stage in patients previously treated for esophageal SCC.

The incidence and risk of developing a second primary esophageal cancer in patients with oral and pharyngeal carcinoma: a population-based study in Taiwan over a 25 year period

BACKGROUND

The incidence of oral and pharyngeal (including oral cavity, oropharynx and hypopharynx) carcinoma increases rapidly in Asia and South Pacific because of betel quid chewing. Thus far, large-scale epidemiological studies are not available yet to stratify these patients by their risks of developing a second primary cancer in the digestive tract including esophagus, stomach, colon, and rectum.

METHODS

A population-based study was conducted using the database from the Taiwan National Cancer Registry for the period 1979-2003. We quantified standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and cumulative incidence of second primary cancers among 33,787 patients with initial diagnoses of oral and pharyngeal carcinoma.

RESULTS

Among these four digestive tract organs, the esophagus was the only site of second cancer with excess risk in patients with oral and pharyngeal carcinoma. The incidence and risk of developing a second primary esophageal cancer differed by the site of the primary index tumor, most frequently seen in hypopharyngeal cancer (71/4,218 = 1.68%, SIR = 22.76, 95% CI 17.77-28.70), followed by oropharyngeal cancer (30/3,403 = 0.88%, SIR = 14.29, 95% CI 9.64-20.39) and the least in oral cavity cancer (99/26,166 = 0.38%, SIR = 5.57, 95% CI 4.53-6.78). In addition, the risk was extraordinarily high for patients with a follow-up interval

CONCLUSION

The present study represents the first population-based study in Asia attempting to stratify the patients of oral and pharyngeal carcinoma by their risk of developing a second esophageal cancer. It helps identify patients at high risk and tailor the application of intense follow-up surveillance to the estimated risk in each individual case.

Collapse

Key Words Collapse

MESH Headings

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/epidemiology
• Esophageal Neoplasms/epidemiology
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Incidence
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Mouth Neoplasms/epidemiology
• Neoplasms, Second Primary/epidemiology
• Pharyngeal Neoplasms/epidemiology
• Population Groups/statistics & numerical data
• Registries/statistics & numerical data
• Risk Factors
• Taiwan/epidemiology
• Young Adult

Collapse

Grants Collapse

Affiliation(s)

Kuan-Der Lee Department of Hematology and Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Chiayi, Taiwan, Republic of China Department of Medicine and Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan Chang Gung Institute of Technology, Chia-yi Campus, Chiayi, Taiwan, Republic of China
Chang-Hsien Lu Department of Hematology and Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Chiayi, Taiwan, Republic of China Department of Medicine and Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan Chang Gung Institute of Technology, Chia-yi Campus, Chiayi, Taiwan, Republic of China
Ping-Tsung Chen Department of Hematology and Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Chiayi, Taiwan, Republic of China Department of Medicine and Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan Chang Gung Institute of Technology, Chia-yi Campus, Chiayi, Taiwan, Republic of China
Chunghuang Hubert Chan Department of Hematology and Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Chiayi, Taiwan, Republic of China Department of Medicine and Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan Chang Gung Institute of Technology, Chia-yi Campus, Chiayi, Taiwan, Republic of China
Jen-Tsun Lin Department of Hematology and Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Chiayi, Taiwan, Republic of China Department of Medicine and Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan Chang Gung Institute of Technology, Chia-yi Campus, Chiayi, Taiwan, Republic of China
Cih-En Huang Department of Hematology and Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Chiayi, Taiwan, Republic of China
Chih-Cheng Chen Department of Hematology and Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Chiayi, Taiwan, Republic of China Department of Medicine and Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan Chang Gung Institute of Technology, Chia-yi Campus, Chiayi, Taiwan, Republic of China
Min-Chi Chen Department of Public Health and Biostatistics Consulting Center, School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China

Collapse

High incidence of non-upper aerodigestive primary tumors in patients with esophageal cancer

Earlier reports have described an association between esophageal cancer (EC) and high incidence of other primary tumors (OPTs) of the upper aerodigestive tract and breast cancer. We evaluated the incidence of non-upper aerodigestive OPTs among Israeli EC patients; 2328 EC patients were retrieved from the Israeli National Cancer Registry between 1980 and 2004. The relative risk of OPTs for EC patients was measured using standardized incidence ratio (SIR). Two cohorts, Israeli National Cancer Registry registered colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and the general Israeli population, were used for reference; 297 EC patients (12.7%) had OPTs, including breast (18.9%), CRC (16.2%), prostate (8.8%), and bladder (8.4%) cancers. Upper aerodigestive OPTs were less common. Most OPTs were identified before (74.4%) or simultaneously with (13.8%) EC diagnosis. The median time interval between OPTs diagnoses and EC development was 6.0 years. The incidence of OPTs was significantly higher among EC patients compared with CRC patients (SIR: 2.05, P < 0.01) or the general Israeli population (SIR: 3.90, 95% CI: 3.46-4.34, P < 0.01) regardless of gender or tumor histology. Patients with EC have high incidence of non-upper aerodigestive malignancies. Unlike previous reports, the distribution of OPTs in EC seems to represent the relative incidences of these cancers in the western populations.

Second neoplasms after oesophageal cancer

The authors considered the incidence of second neoplasms among 1,672 oesophageal cancers diagnosed between 1974 and 2004 in the Cancer Registries of the Swiss Cantons of Vaud and Neuchâtel, and followed-up to 2004. A total of 141 second neoplasms were observed versus 38.5 expected, corresponding to a standardized incidence ratio (SIR) of 3.7 (95% confidence interval: 3.1-4.3). The SIRs were statistically significant for cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx (57.3), larynx (24.3), lung (6.6) and intestines (2.6). The SIRs were higher in subjects diagnosed below age 50 and in the first year after diagnosis. The SIR of upper digestive and respiratory tract neoplasms was higher for oesophageal cancers diagnosed in the upper (87.5) and middle (68.1), as compared with the lower third (19.4). There was no rise of second oral, pharyngeal and laryngeal cancer with advancing age, and their incidence tended indeed to decline from 100/1,000 at age 40-49 to 25/1,000 at age 70-79. There was no tendency to rise with age in the incidence of first oesophageal cancer in subjects who subsequently developed another upper digestive or respiratory tract neoplasm. The excess risks of upper digestive and respiratory tract neoplasms are attributable to increased diagnosis and registration of second neoplasms following a diagnosis of oesophageal cancer, as well as to heavy tobacco and alcohol consumption in oesophageal cancer cases. The absence of rise in incidence with age is also compatible with the existence of a subset of the population of susceptible individuals.

Head and neck cancer associated with esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND

Multiple squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) frequently arise in the aerodigestive tract. This study aims to clarify the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) in esophageal cancer (EC) and clinical features of SCCHN.

METHOD

We reviewed the records of 1118 EC patients treated from May 1995 to December 2001 in our institution. All patients with EC underwent otolaryngological examination and pharyngolaryngoscopy screening before and after its treatment periodically during their follow-up periods. The incidence, site and stage of SCCHNs were analyzed.

RESULT

A total of 127 patients had associated SCCHNs among all patients with EC (11.4%). Of these, the index antecedent tumor was SCCHN in 49 and EC in 78 patients. One hundred and fifteen patients developed double cancers (SCCHN and EC), 9 patients developed triple cancers (2 SCCHNs and EC) and 3 patients developed fourth cancers (3 SCCHNs and EC). Of 49 patients with the index SCCHN, 30 ECs were detected metachronously after its treatment (Group A) and 20 were synchronously (Group B). Of 78 patients with index EC, 38 SCCHNs were detected synchronously (Group C) and 54 SCCHNs were metachronously (Group D). The stages of 54 SCCHNs in the Group D were 33, 14, 4, 3 (Stages I-IV, respectively), which was significantly earlier than that of 50 SCCHNs in the Groups A and B (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The incidence of SCCHN in our EC patients was 11.4%. Periodic otolaryngological examination and pharyngoscopy screening can detect SCCHNs early in patients with primary EC.

[Analysis of the characteristics of patients with bladder cancer diagnosed of multiple neoplasms in the health district of León (Spain)]

OBJECTIVE

We analyzed the characteristics of the patients with bladder neoplasms who developed a multiple malignant primary neoplasm (MMPN) in the health district of León, the impact on survival and the prognostic variables.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We have used the data from the Tumor Registry of the Hospital of León and selected all those patients who were diagnosed of a bladder tumor between 1993 and 2002. They were classified into two groups: the first with 71 patients with MMPN and a second group with 159 patients with single bladder tumors diagnosed between 1996 and 1997.

RESULTS

Incidence of MMPN was of 7.1 percent. More than half of the patients had familial oncologic background. The second most frequently diagnosed neoplasms were urologic, followed by gastrointestinal and respiratory. Survival of patients with MMPN was 21 percent lower than single neoplasms. Variables with prognosis significance were the stage of the second neoplasm, diagnosis of a second urologic neoplasm and surgery treatment for the second tumor.

CONCLUSIONS

MMPN in patients with bladder tumors are frequent in our geographic area. The high frequency of familial oncologic antecedents in these patients suggest a genetic background. Prognosis of MMPN patients is worse than single tumors patients, but no differences were observed regarding prognosis in patients with synchronous or metachronous MMPN.

An Overview of Epidemiology and Common Risk Factors for Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Understanding the epidemiologic picture and the risk factors for oral cancer can help identify and treat patients at risk for oral cancers. Early diagnosis of an oral cancer continues to be important to achieving a favorable prognosis. Absent a diagnosis of oral/pharyngeal cancer, there clearly can-lot be an effective treatment plan. Discovering a potentially malignant or malignant lesion and through biopsy reaching a diagnosis for the lesion begins by performing an examination with the purpose of detecting oral/pharyngeal lesions. An oral cancer screening can be performed in less than five minutes without any expensive diagnostic aids. Despite the ease with which this exam can be performed and the noninvasive nature of the examination,most patients report that they have never had an oral cancer examination. Late stage diagnosis continues to be a common situation resulting in high rates of morbidity and mortality. Without early recognition it seems that the trend of late stage diagnosis will continue. Physicians, dentists, and other health care providers should be performing the oral cancer screening examination on a routine basis for all of their patients.Note: For the interested clinician, the author highly recommends an excellent comprehensive text on the subject of oral cancer. Sol Silverman's(with multiple contributors) The American Cancer Society's Atlas of Clinical Oncology Oral Cancer: Fifth Edition by BC Decker Publishers is an excellent overview of oral cancer covering in greater detail many of the subjects that could not be covered in this brief article. Additionally, there are excellent color photographs of the common presentations of oral malignancies that can be helpful in assessing oral/pharyngeal lesions.

Impact of endoscopic screening on early detection of hypopharyngeal cancer

BACKGROUND

The aim was to investigate whether periodic pharyngolaryngoscopy screening in high-risk patients with preceding carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract can detect early hypopharyngeal cancer and preserve the larynx.

METHODS

The records of 122 patients with hypopharyngeal cancer were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into the following two groups: (1) the screening (SCR) group (n = 65), patients whose hypopharyngeal cancer was detected by pharyngolaryngoscopy screening; and (2) the symptom (SYMP) group (n = 57), patients whose cancer was discovered by any symptoms. Patients' demographics and larynx preservation were compared.

RESULTS

The number of patients with clinical stage I to IV disease at diagnosis was 44, 14, three, four for the SCR group, respectively, and six, six, 15, 30 for the SYMP group, which was significantly different (p < .0001). The rate of larynx preservation after radical treatment was 79.4% for the SCR group and 45.4% for the SYMP group (p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Periodic pharyngolaryngoscopy screening in high-risk patients may contribute to detecting early hypopharyngeal cancer. Early detection of hypopharyngeal cancer may enhance the rate of larynx preservation and improve the quality of life.