A risk factor for newly diagnosed secondary cancer in patients with early-stage laryngeal, oropharyngeal, or hypopharyngeal cancer: sub-analysis of a prospective observation study

• Published in: International journal of clinical oncology 2022-03, Vol.27 (3), p.488-494
• Main Authors: Nishimura, Goshi, Sano, Daisuke, Arai, Yasuhiro, Takahashi, Hideaki, Hatano, Takashi, Kitani, Yosuke, Takada, Kentaro, Wada, Takashi, Hiiragi, Yohei, Oridate, Nobuhiko
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cancer; Cancer Research; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - pathology; Head & neck cancer; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms - complications; Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms - surgery; Laryngeal cancer; Laryngeal Neoplasms - complications; Laryngeal Neoplasms - surgery; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Oncology; Original Article; Patients; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Squamous cell carcinoma; Statistical analysis; Surgical Oncology; Throat cancer
• ISSN: 1341-9625; 1437-7772
• DOI: 10.1007/s10147-021-02080-x

Background We previously identified hypopharyngeal cancer as an independent risk factor for the incidence of newly diagnosed secondary cancers after the treatment of early-stage laryngeal, oropharyngeal, and hypopharyngeal cancers. We subsequently used a different patient cohort to validate the usefulness of this factor during the follow-up period in these patients. Methods Patients who underwent transoral surgery (TOS) as a definitive treatment between April 1, 2016, and September 30, 2020, were included. The incidence of secondary cancer was evaluated in hypopharyngeal and other cancers. Overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and disease-free survival (DFS) outcomes were evaluated. Statistical analyses based on the risk factors were also performed. Results Incidence of new secondary cancer was 30% in hypopharyngeal cancer patients as compared to 11% in other cancer patients, and the risk was 3.60-fold (95% confidence interval 1.07–12.10) higher after definitive treatment for initial head and neck cancers. The 3-year OS, RFS, and DFS rates were 98%, 86%, and 67%, respectively. Conclusions Among patients with early-stage laryngeal, oropharyngeal, and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, who were initially treated with TOS, hypopharyngeal cancer patients had a higher risk of newly diagnosed secondary cancers as observed during the follow-up period.