Four multiple primary malignant neoplasms of the aerodigestive tract.

Abstract

Multiple primary cancers of the head, neck, and upper aerodigestive tract have been documented in patients previously treated for oropharyngeal cancer. There generally is no causal relationship established between the different tumors. Two synchronous or metachronous cancers are common, three are unusual, and four are very unusual. We describe the treatment of a patient with tonsillar and synchronous esophageal and pulmonary cancers followed by a tongue cancer over a 6-year period.