Oral Premalignant and Malignant Lesions in Fanconi Anemia Patients

Objective There is a lack of data supporting cancer surveillance in pediatric Fanconi Anemia patients. We sought to describe the rates of upper aerodigestive lesions and malignancy in this population to augment current management guidelines. Methods A retrospective cohort study of patients with Fanconi Anemia from a quaternary referral center between 2007-2021 was completed for head and neck cancer risk. Results One hundred and five FA patients were reviewed. Average age at presentation was 11.3 years old and 90.5% of patients underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). A total of 8.6% of patients had leukoplakia or erythroplakia and 3.8% developed malignancy. The standardized incidence ratio of head and neck malignancy was 483.8. Patients presented with leukoplakia and malignancy at an average age of 14.6 and 25.1 years old, respectively. Malignancies were aggressive and marked by recurrence. There were no premalignant or malignant lesions found on flexible laryngoscopy. This series represents the largest longitudinal series of pediatric FA head and neck lesions. Conclusions Fanconi Anemia patients should begin screening for head and neck cancer at age 10 or after HSCT. Level of Evidence Level 4 Laryngoscope, 2022

Automated summary

This study retrospectively analyzed the risk and incidence of head and neck cancer in Fanconi Anemia patients. The study found that 8.6% of patients in this population had leukoplakia or erythroplakia, and 3.8% developed malignancy. The study also suggested that screening for head and neck cancer should begin at age 10 or after hematopoietic stem cell transplant in Fanconi Anemia patients.