Multiple Primary Cancers Including Colorectal Cancer

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: With advance in diagnostic techniques and treatment modalities, it has been increasing that the patients with colorectal cancer experience another primary malignancies. Understanding the characteristics of multiple primary malignancies is important to establish an effective surveillance program for the early detection of second cancer. METHODS: The database of 2,709 patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer between 1985 and 2007 in Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital was analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Out of 2,709 patients, 102 (3.76%) of them were found to have multiple malignancies. Among them, 37 patients had synchronous cancers and 65 patients had metachronous cancers. The most common site of multiple primary malignancies was the stomach, followed by kidney, thyroid and breast. CONCLUSIONS: In the patients with colorectal cancer, it should be considered to evaluate multiple primary malignancies, especially stomach, during the routine follow up. And the most frequent multiple primary cancer before colorectal cancer was also stomach cancer. Careful attention should be paid to the colorectal cancer in stomach cancer patients.