CLINICAL ANALYSIS OF MULTIPLE PRIMARY CANCER OF HEAD AND NECK

Recently, the incidence of multiple primary cancer in head and neck cancer patients is increasing. Among 337 cases with head and neck cancers treated at Tokai University Hospital from January 1995 to December 2000, 76 cases (22.8%) had multiple cancers. About 85% of multiple primary cancers were found in the upper aerodigestive tract including esophagus and stomach. Simultaneous esophageal cancer was detected in 27 cases (8.0%). Multiple primary cancers of head and neck at our hospital from 1982 to 1992 were reported previously, in which simultaneous esophageal cancers were found with similar incidence to this study. The importance of systematic screening of esophageal cancer with endoscpic examination was emphasized.