Value of Panendoscopy in the Identification of Synchronous Malignancies in Patients Suffering from Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Without Clinical Signs of a Second Primary Tumor

Abstract

Background/Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess the value of panendoscopy of the upper aero-digestive tract in the identification of synchronous tumors in OSCC patients without clinical signs of a second primary tumor. Patients and Methods: In this retrospective study, patients diagnosed with a primary OSCC who received surgical therapy between January 1^st, 2012 and December 31^st, 2017 were included. Participants must have undergone panendoscopy during the staging process. None of these patients showed clinical signs of a second primary tumor. Results: A total of 265 patients (99 females and 166 males; mean age=63.3 years, range=26-96 years) were included. The mean (SD) follow-up was 25.88 (±20.479 SD) months. Five synchronous secondary tumors (1.9%) could be identified within this cohort. Of these, only two (0.8%) were located within the area of panendoscopy and were diagnosed in patients with regular alcohol and/or tobacco abuse. Eighteen metachronous second primary tumors were diagnosed, 10 being located within the upper aero-digestive tract. Conclusion: The relevance of routinely performed panendoscopy in patients suffering from an oral squamous cell carcinoma without clinical signs of a secondary tumor should be critically re-evaluated, especially in patients without typical risk factors.