Experience in the treatment of synchronous and metachronous carcinoma of the oesophagus and the head and neck

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Treatment of multiple primary squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck and oesophagus is controversial. The poor prognosis of these 2 types of carcinoma taken individually and their anatomic proximity complicate the therapeutic strategy and limit the treatment choices for each location. METHODS: From 1986 to 1998, 43 patients received curative treatment for multiple synchronous (n = 30) or metachronous (n = 13) primary neoplasms of the oesophagus and head and neck. For synchronous cancers, the therapeutic strategy consisted of first curing the head and neck cancer and then planning oesophagectomy according to the type of head and neck cancer therapy. RESULTS: Ten total oesopharyngolaryngectomies and 33 subtotal oesophagectomies were performed. The postoperative mortality rate was 9.3% (4/43). The rate of anastomotic leakage was 30% (13/43), and all such leaks were cervical. Pulmonary infection occurred in 19% of cases (8/43). A past history of cervical radiation therapy or cervicotomy did not appear to be a significant risk factor for anastomotic leakage or pulmonary complications. Oesophagectomy did not affect the functional results in the 31 patients whose larynx could be preserved. CONCLUSIONS: Oesophagectomy after head and neck cancer treatment is possible with a low mortality rate and acceptable morbidity.