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BACKGROUND: Incidence of multiple primary cancers though uncommon, is being frequently reported now-a-days owing to better diagnostic techniques, the prolonged life span and the increased incidence of long-term survival of cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study. Cases of multiple malignancies diagnosed histopathologically were retrieved from the archives of department of surgical oncology. Clinical data were obtained from the medical records. They were categorized as synchronous malignancies if the interval between them was less or equal to 6 months and metachronous, if the interval was more than 6 months. RESULTS: A total of 13 cases were encountered in the 5 year study period. Out of them two were in the metachronous category and the rest were synchronous as the 2(nd) malignancy was detected mostly during clinical evaluation of the patients for the primary malignancy. There was female predominance with age range being 43-68 years. Majority of the cases were in the 7(th) decade. The most common organ involved was breast, followed by cervix. Apart from bilateral breast malignancies, there were combinations like breast with uterine endometrial carcinoma, cervical carcinoma and even papillary thyroid carcinoma. CONCLUSION: Detection of multiple primary malignancies is becoming increasingly common in day-to-day practice. Greater awareness of this is required among both cancer patients and their treating clinicians.
RESUMEN
PURPOSE: Although much has been mentioned in the literature worldwide regarding the outcome of pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps (PMMFs), hardly any studies are available that mention the outcome of PMMFs in female patients. It has been presumed that complication rates after PMMF reconstruction in female patients are higher because of the presence of more adipose tissue in the flap. The objective of this study was to analyze our data regarding the outcomes of PMMFs in female patients with oral cancer undergoing reconstruction after tumor ablation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study from January 2008 to May 2012, performed in a single institution in south India, we have analyzed our data on PMMFs in 140 female patients with oral cancer. The operative technique used was essentially the same as that described originally by Ariyan. However, to preserve the deltopectoral flap area, the incision was appropriately modified in a manner as described by Schuller. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 52.36 years, with a range from 30 to 76 years. They presented mostly with ulcers or ulceroproliferative lesions. Most of the patients had a history of tobacco and betel nut chewing. All of them underwent composite resection and reconstruction with PMMF under general anesthesia. Of the patients, 30 (21.4%) had complications, comprising infection (8), superficial flap necrosis (11), combined wound infection and superficial flap necrosis (3), total flap failure (2), and orocutaneous fistula (6). CONCLUSIONS: PMMF reconstruction is a reliable and cosmetically acceptable method of reconstruction in female patients for oral cavity defects after tumor ablation.