Secondary head and neck cancer in patients with history of hematological malignancy

Background Head and neck cancer is a common second cancer in patients with a history of hematological malignancies. The purpose of this study was present the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of this group of patients. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted of all patients who had a history of hematological malignancy and developed head and neck cancer in a 10-year period. Results The cohort had 10 patients; median age was 45.8 years. Most patients were nonsmokers and nondrinkers. Seven patients had chronic graft-versus-host disease. The median interval between the completion of treatment of hematological malignancy and the development of head and neck cancers was 8.79 years (range, 2.33–26.83 years). Six patients were alive and disease-free, 3 developed local recurrence, and 3 had metachronous head and neck cancers. Conclusion The risk factors and etiology of head and neck cancers in patients with hematological malignancy may be different from the ordinary population. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2013