Multiple primary malignancies. a rare case of five metachronous tumours
Mosca, F.; Stracqualursi, A.; Persi, A.; Portale, T.R.; Zappalà, O.; Latteri, S.
Il Giornale di Chirurgia 26(8-9): 302-306
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0391-9005 PMID: 16329771 Document Number: 589739
The Authors report on a patient admitted several times for the occurrence of five multiple metachronous primary malignancies (laryngeal carcinoma, endometrial adenocarcinoma, rectal cancerous polyp, Vaterpapilla carcinoma and transverse colon cancer). All five carcinomas were independent primary cancers and the lenghty time intervals between the onsets of each individual tumours confirm their independent non-metastatic origin. Classification, pathogenesis, genetic and environmental interactions of these tumours are discussed; in the case reported a family history of colon cancer was present, while no genetic markers abnormalities or chronic exposure to carcinogens were found. The case report suggests that an aggressive, appropriate surgical approach together with a through follow-up monitoring offers a chance of long-term survival for patients with metachronous malignant primary tumours.