Outcomes for patients with synchronous and metachronous primary lung cancer after diagnosis of head and neck cancer: Outcomes for head and neck cancer with synchronous and metachronous primary lung cancer

Head and neck cancer with synchronous nodules of the lung as a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge - A systematic review

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) often presents with synchronous nodules of the lung (sNL), which may be benign nodules, second primary malignancies or metastases of HNSCC. We sought to gain an insight into the incidence of sNL and synchronous second primary of the lung (sSPML) in HNSCC patients and current opinions on useful diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. We conducted a systematic search of the PubMed database for articles that reported the simultaneous detection of HNSCC and sNL/sPML, within the timeframe of diagnosis and staging. Only studies involving humans were included, without restrictions for sex, age, ethnicity, or smoking history. All articles were categorised according to the Oxford Centre of Evidence-Based Medicine levels and their data collected. Data from 24 studies were analysed. Amongst HNSCC, the mean overall incidence rate of sNL and sSPML was 11.4% (range: 1.3-27%) and 2.95% (range: 0.4-7.4%), respectively. The possibility of a sNL to be a sSPML cannot be ignored (mean: 35.2%). Studies investigating smoking habits showed that the majority (98-100%) of HNSCC patients with sSPML were previous or active smokers. Detection of human papillomavirus through DNA analysis, p16 immunohistochemistry, and identification of clonal evolution were useful in differentiating metastasis from sSPML. 18FDG-PET scan was the most reliable method to diagnose sSPML (sensitivity: 95%; specificity: 96%; positive predictive value: 80%). With early sSPML detection and curative treatment, the 5-year overall survival rate is 34-47%. However, the proposed advantage of early detection warrants further evidence-based justification.

Second primary tumors in head and neck cancer patients: The importance of a "tailored" surveillance

OBJECTIVE

Head and neck cancer survivors have increased risk of developing second primary tumors compared to overall population. Because second primary represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality in this population, early detection is fundamental.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this 10-year single-institution study, we investigated the following: incidence, clinical-pathological risk factors, and survival of patients with second primary tumor. We included all patients with diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck seen at the Modena University Hospital from 2008 to 2018.

RESULTS

Among 1,177 patients included, 222 (18.9%) developed second primary tumor; its survival probability at 5 years was 40.6%. Alcohol consumption (p = .0055) and index cancer in oropharynx (p = .0029), supraglottic larynx (p = .0000), glottic larynx (p = .0222) were associated with higher risk of second primary. The most common second primary sites were head and neck district and lung (70, 31.5%, and 67, 30.2%, respectively). Head and neck district were more common in oral cavity (18, 43%) and oropharynx index cancer (20, 31%); lung second primary in hypopharynx (4, 40%), supraglottic larynx (17, 43%), and glottic larynx index cancer (23, 35%).

CONCLUSION

Head and neck cancer survivors developing a second primary tumor have dismal prognosis. Tailored surveillance is recommended.

Second primary malignancies in laryngeal carcinoma patients treated with definitive radiotherapy

INTRODUCTION

Second primary malignancy (SPM) is associated with decreased overall survival (OS) in laryngeal carcinomas (LC).

METHODS

One hundred eighty three LC patients were analyzed retrospectively. The primary and secondary endpoints were the incidence of SPM and the OS difference between patients with and without SPM.

RESULTS

SPM developed in 22 (12.0%) patients at median 52 months (range, 4-131 months), with a yearly 2.8% incidence, of which 19 (10.4%) and 3 (1.6%) were metachronous and synchronous, respectively. Lung was the commonest SPM (72.7%). Of 47 deaths, 12 (25.5%) were SPM related. Comparatively SPM patients had significantly shorter median OS (68.0 months vs. median not reached; P = 0.005), with lower 5-year (67.0% vs. 78.9%) and 8-year (32.6 vs. 69.8%) survival rates.

CONCLUSION

The present findings suggested the SPM as a competing risk factor for death in index LC patients with its annual incidence rate of 2.8% and for accounting one of every four deaths in this patients group. Emergence of lung carcinoma as the most frequent type of SPM and the ability to treat >50% of them with an estimated long-term outcomes emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and curative treatment of SPMs.