Treatment-outcome for synchronous head-and-neck and oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:

Although head & neck and oesophageal carcinomas occur synchronously in up to 12%, almost no data on feasibility and outcome after radiotherapy are available.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

From 1989 to 2002, 24 patients were treated at Tuebingen University and Fulda hospital with a radiation based, curative approach. These were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS:

The median overall survival was 37 (1-69) months with a few long-term survivors with a median follow-up of 26 months for patients at risk. 7 local recurrences occurred. No major toxicity was seen.

DISCUSSION:

Even though the prognosis of synchronous head & neck and oesophageal carcinomas is grim, long-term survival is possible. A radiation-based approach is feasible and can be chosen for a curative treatment approach which we recommend.

• Authors: Stefan Welz, Angelika Schmid, Thomas Hehr, Katrin Schulze, Horst-J Feldmann, Wilfried Budach, Michael Bamberg, Claus Belka
• Journal: Radiotherapy and oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (Radiother Oncol) Vol. 77 Issue 3 Pg. 267-70 (Dec 2005) ISSN: 0167-8140 [Print] Ireland
• PMID: 16154220 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Aged
• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (pathology, radiotherapy)
• Esophageal Neoplasms (pathology, radiotherapy)
• Female
• Head and Neck Neoplasms (pathology, radiotherapy)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasms, Second Primary (pathology, radiotherapy)
• Prognosis
• Retrospective Studies
• Survival Analysis
• Treatment Outcome