Head and neck cancer is frequently accompanied with other primary cancers, especially esophageal cancer. Among 337 cases with head and neck cancers treated at Mie University Hospital from January 2001 to December 2005, 31 cases (9.2%) had multiple cancers.
Oropharyngeal cancer and hypopharyngeal cancer cases showed esophageal cancer significantly more frequently than other head and neck cancer cases (25.0-26.7%). Brinkman's index was significantly higher in the group with cancer of the oropharynx associated with esophageal cancer than in the group without any other primary cancer. Sake index was significantly higher in the group with cancer of the oropharynx or hypopharinx associated with esophageal cancer than in the group without any other primary cancer. Endoscopic examinations should be routinely performed after the treatment of head and neck cancer.
