Prevalence of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma among Patients with Head and Neck Cancer: A Single-Center Study

Authors

  • Ana Victoria Martins Lima Maestría en Investigación Quirúrgica. Fundação Arnaldo Vieira de Carvalho, São Paulo, Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0316-2617
  • Fernanda Carvalho Franco Fellow en Endoscopia Oncológica. Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil. https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7276-1937
  • Cesar Saul Quevedo Penaloza Fellow en Endoscopia Oncológica. Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6327-1367
  • Diego Cadena Agirre Fellow en Endoscopia Oncológica. Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5404-7969
  • Rafael Sartori Balbinot Fellow en Endoscopia Oncológica. Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil.
  • Regina Rie Imada Servicio de Endoscopia. Irmandade Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil.
  • Fabio Marioni Jefe del Servicio de Endoscopia. Irmandade Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil.
  • Renata Nobre Moura Servicio de Endoscopia. Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0629-8050
  • Gustavo Andrade de Paulo Servicio de Endoscopia. Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil.
  • Adriana Vaz Safatle-Ribeiro Servicio de Endoscopia. Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil.
  • Louise Menezes da Cunha Servicio de Endoscopia. Complexo Hospitalar do Mandaqui, São Paulo, Brasil.
  • Fábio Gonçalves Ferreira Servicio de Cirugía Hepatopancreatobiliar. Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8714-2615

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52787/agl.v55i4.534

Abstract

Introduction. Patients with head and neck cancer have an increased risk of developing second primary tumors in the esophagus, which negatively impacts prognosis. Early detection can significantly improve survival.

Objective. To evaluate the prevalence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in patients with head and neck cancer, in addition to describing the epidemiological profile of these patients.

Materials and methods. We retrospectively analyzed a database of patients with a current or previous diagnosis of head and neck cancer who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy for screening of second primary tumors during 2022 at a renowned referral center in São Paulo.

Results. A total of 177 patients with head and neck cancer were evaluated, but only 165 met the inclusion criteria. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma was detected in 4.84% (95% CI: 2.1–9.2) of the evaluated patients (8 out of 165 cases), and half of the cases were diagnosed at advanced stages. Most patients were men (79%), with a mean age of 65 years; most were smokers, with a primary tumor located in the oropharynx. Esophageal lesions measuring 7 mm or more were significantly associated with neoplasia.

Conclusion. The prevalence of second primary esophageal tumors in patients with head and neck cancer is relevant. Older male smokers with a history of oropharyngeal tumors represent the highest-risk group. In this population, endoscopic lesions measuring 7 millimeters or more should be considered a high-risk marker for neoplasia, supporting the implementation of targeted screening programs for vulnerable populations.

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Published

2025-12-23

How to Cite

Martins Lima, A. V., Carvalho Franco, F., Quevedo Penaloza, C. S., Cadena Agirre, D., Sartori Balbinot, R., Rie Imada, R., Marioni, F., Nobre Moura, R., Andrade de Paulo, G., Vaz Safatle-Ribeiro, A., Menezes da Cunha, L., & Gonçalves Ferreira, F. (2025). Prevalence of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma among Patients with Head and Neck Cancer: A Single-Center Study. Acta Gastroenterológica Latinoamericana, 55(4), 379–385. https://doi.org/10.52787/agl.v55i4.534

Issue

Vol. 55 No. 4 (2025): Acta Gastroenterológica Latinoamericana

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Original Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Ana Victoria Martins Lima, Fernanda Carvalho Franco, Cesar Saul Quevedo Penaloza, Diego Cadena Agirre, Rafael Sartori Balbinot, Regina Rie Imada, Fabio Marioni, Renata Nobre Moura, Gustavo Andrade de Paulo, Adriana Vaz Safatle-Ribeiro, Louise Menezes da Cunha, Fábio Gonçalves Ferreira

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