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

Background/Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess the value of panendoscopy of the upper aerodigestive 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 1st, 2012 and December 31st. 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.

Automated summary

This study assessed the value of panendoscopy in identifying synchronous tumors in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients, with only a small percentage of patients diagnosed with secondary tumors. The necessity of routine panendoscopy in these patients needs to be critically re-evaluated.