A Study of Superficial Esophageal Carcinoma Associated with Other Primary Malignancies

Akira Kanamoto, Hajime Yamaguchi, Hitoshi Kondo, Takuji Gotoda, Hiroyuki Ono, Yuji Tachimori¹⁾, Hoichi Kato¹⁾, Hiroshi Watanabe¹⁾ and Yukihiro Nakanishi²⁾

Department of Internal Medicine, National Cancer Center Hospital
¹⁾ Department of Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital
²⁾ Pathology Division, National Cancer Resurch Institute

In a series of 359 patients with superficial squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus treated at the National Cancer Center Hospital from 1962 to 1997, 140 (39%) had other primary malignancies involving various organs. Of the 140 patients, 70 had synchronous double cancers, 47 had metachronous double cancers and 23 had involvement of three or more organs. In patients with metachronous double cancers, the esophageal cancer was detected earlier than the other malignancies in 10 cases, while the associated cancer was detected before the esophageal cancer in the remaining 37. The most common site of the secondary cancer was the stomach (52 cases), followed by the pharynx (45 cases). The overall 5-year survival rate of patients with multiple primary malignancies was 67%, which is significantly worse than the 5-year survival rate of patients with solitary esophageal cancer, 77%. In dealing with patients with superficial squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus associated with other primary cancers, early detection of both cancers is essential to improving their outcomes.

Key words
superficial esophageal carcinoma, multiple primary malignancies, esophageal carcinoma associated with other primary cancers, squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus

Reprint requests
Akira Kanamoto Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Mitsui Memorial Hospital 1 Kandaizumichyo, Chiyoda, Tokyo, 110-0024 JAPAN

Accepted
November 13, 1998

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