Secondary head and neck cancer in patients with history of hematological malignancy

Head Neck. 2013 May;35(5):729-32. doi: 10.1002/hed.23026. Epub 2012 May 15.

Abstract

Background: Head and neck cancer is a common second cancer in patients with a history of hematological malignancies. The purpose of this study was present the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of this group of patients.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of all patients who had a history of hematological malignancy and developed head and neck cancer in a 10-year period.

Results: The cohort had 10 patients; median age was 45.8 years. Most patients were nonsmokers and nondrinkers. Seven patients had chronic graft-versus-host disease. The median interval between the completion of treatment of hematological malignancy and the development of head and neck cancers was 8.79 years (range, 2.33-26.83 years). Six patients were alive and disease-free, 3 developed local recurrence, and 3 had metachronous head and neck cancers.

Conclusion: The risk factors and etiology of head and neck cancers in patients with hematological malignancy may be different from the ordinary population.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation
  • Female
  • Graft vs Host Disease / epidemiology
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / therapy
  • Hematologic Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Tongue Neoplasms
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult