Long-term results after esophagectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus associated with head and neck cancer

Background: Esophageal squamous cell carcinomas are frequently associated with head and neck cancers. The poor prognosis of each cancer, and their proximity, often limit the treatment options. This study was conducted to determine the characteristics and long-term outcome of such dual cancers. Patients and methods: We included 75 patients with esophageal carcinoma, of whom 25 had a synchronous head and neck malignancy. Curative treatment was possible in every case. The patients were divided into “solitary cancer” and “synchronous cancer” groups. Results: The gender distribution, tumor location, and histological findings were similar in the two groups. Patients in the synchronous cancer group were younger than those in the solitary group ( P