Lung metastases in newly diagnosed hypopharyngeal cancer: a population-based study.

Purpose Current population-based estimates of the incidence and prognosis of lung metastases of hypopharyngeal cancer are lacking. The purpose of the study is to characterize the incidence proportions and survival probability of patients with hypopharyngeal cancer and lung metastases. Materials and methods We identified 2714 adult patients diagnosed with hypopharyngeal cancer between 2010 and 2014 for whom the status of lung metastases was known from the SEER database. Multivariable logistic and Cox regression models were performed to identify the risk factors associated with the presence of lung metastases at diagnosis and 5-year all-cause mortality, respectively. Results We identified 128 patients with lung metastases at the time of diagnosis of hypopharyngeal cancer. Females were less likely to have lung metastases. Incidences of lung metastases were higher among patients with histological grade III/IV. For each 10 mm increase in tumor size, the odds of having lung metastases increased by 6.6%. Patients with lung metastases had a shorter survival time. Conclusion Our study provides insight into the epidemiology of lung metastases in patients with hypopharyngeal cancer. When the tumor is diagnosed, we should pay close attention to the sex, race, tumor size and histological grade to quickly detect the distant metastases.