Synchronous esophageal cancer impact on survival of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients.

Abstract

e17513 Background: Optimal treatment of synchronous tumors (ST) of the aerodigestive tract is debatable and care is often individualized. Our goal was to characterize patients with HNSCC and esophageal cancer (EC) ST and to establish prognostic factors that could aid therapeutic decision. Methods: In this retrospective observational study, we evaluated data from 1650 consecutive patients diagnosed with HNSCC from 2008 to 2016. Patients with ST of HNSCC and esophagus with an interval of ≤ 6 months between both diagnoses were included. Patients ≥ 6 months between both diagnoses, incomplete treatment information and presence of another tumor site were excluded. Results: 52 patients were eligible. Median age was 57 years (39-91). Most were male (98%), with smoking and drinking habits (98%) and ECOG 0-1 (73%). HNSCCs were mainly in oropharynx (54%) and locally advanced disease (LA, III-IVB) (88%). In contrast, EC was early stage (I-II, 62%), located in the thorax (94%) and squamous histology (96%). 14 (27%) had LA in both primaries. Most LA HNSCCs (85%) were treated with radiotherapy (RT) with a median dose of 70Gy (5-70Gy). 50% received platinum and taxane induction chemotherapy. 81% of initial EC received at least surgery, mucosectomy or RT (median 50.4Gy). Hospitalization due to toxicity occurred in 12 (23%) and 7 (14%) of HNSCC and EC treatments, respectively. 16 patients (31%) had no definitive treatment directed to EC, without apparent impact on survival. Median time to progression was 13.8 months, being HNSCC the most frequent site of progression/relapse (40%). Median survival was 23.9 months (IC 95% 9.2-38.6). Early HNSCC survival was comparable to LA HNSCC (17.3 vs. 23.9 mo, p = 0.98). In LA HNSCC, LA vs. initial EC carried a worse prognosis (16 vs. 36.3 mo, p = 0.008). Anemia, BMI, tobacco exposure had no impact on survival. Conclusions: The occurrence of EC and HNSCC ST leads to a dismal survival, even in patients with early stage HNSCC. The presentation of LA in both sites is particularly challenging and associated with worse prognosis. Given the rate of treatment-related toxicity in this population, cautious efforts should be employed when planning definitive treatment in ST pts.