Second primary tumor in patients with upper aerodigestive tract cancer

In the first three years after treatment of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of upper aerodigestive tract (UADT), there is a high incidence of recurrences. After the third year, the occurrence of second primary tumor (SPT) is an important cause of morbimortality. AIM: To evaluate the incidence and the characteristics of the SPT in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of UADT, treated with curative intention. METHODS: Retrospective study where the incidence, localization and treatment of SPT had been analyzed and survival rates were calculated. RESULTS: Of the 624 analyzed cases, 59 (9.4%) had SPT during follow-up (4 synchronous and 55 metachronous). The SPT free survival rate ranged from 2 to 191.3 months (median of 42.5 months). In 20 cases (33.9%) the SPT was diagnosed after the fifth year of follow-up. The most frequent site of STP was the UADT mucosa (49.1%), followed by the lungs (22.0%) and the esophagus (11.9%). The best survival after-SPT occurred in cases of UADT STP (32.2% in 5 years, median 16.2 months). CONCLUSION: The STP incidence was 9.4%. In 33.9% of the cases, the SPT was diagnosed after the fifth year of follow-up. The most frequent localization of STP was the UADT mucosa.