Multiple primary breast and gynecological cancers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to characterize the occurrence of multiple primary breast and gynecological cancers; to detect the type of association concerning location, and the period between the first and the second primary tumor. Among 6290 women treated between 1987 and 1997, 68 patients (1%) with multiple primary malignant tumors were found. Group I consisted of 45 patients with breast cancer and group II 23 patients with gynecological cancer as the first malignancy. The most frequently associated tumor in group I was ovarian (22 cases) and endometrial cancer (18 patients). In group II, association with breast cancer was observed in 16 cases. The majority were metachronous - 58 cases, one of them with bilateral breast cancer. Synchronous association was found in 11 cases. The period between the first and the second tumor ranged from 1 month to 28 years. In 5 years, 58 cases (84%) were found. The second tumor in advanced stage was found in 46% in group I and 65% in group II. Multiple primary malignant tumors among breast and gynecological cancers were quite frequent. Patients with endometrial and cervical cancer have a risk for second primary breast cancer, especially in the first 5 years.