Clinical Manifestations of Multiple Primary Neoplasms in Urologic Patients

Chung, Sanguk; Park, Jong Yeon; Kim, Choung Soo

Abstract

PURPOSE: Since the first description of multiple primary malignant neoplasms(MPNs) by Billroth, numerous studies concerning MPNs have been reported. We analyzed variable characteristics of MPNs in urologic tumor patients and try to offer useful clinical informations.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
From January 1994 to September 1998, we have treated 1,230 patients who had at least one primary urologic cancer; 459 transitional cell carcinomas, 366 renal cell carcinomas, 325 prostatic cancers, 128 others. Among those patients, 99 patients(8.0%) had genitourinary multiple primary neoplasms(GU-MPNs). We reviewed the medical and pathologic records of these 99 patients with GU-MPNs.
RESULTS
The incidence of MPNs was especially high in patients with renal cell carcinoma and bladder cancer than any other GU tract cancers. Renal cell carcinoma plus gastrointestinal malignancy and urothelial cancer plus cervix cancer were common combinations of MPNs in this study. Incidences of counterpart cancers were similar to the ranks of relative frequency of cancers in Korea except genitourinary cancers that were more common than the relative frequency of their own. 55 cases were synchronous and mean diagnostic interval was one month and eleven days. 36 cases of 44 metachronous MPNs developed within 5 years after the diagnosis of the first tumor. In synchronous MPNs, 29 second tumors(52.7%) were diagnosed by staging workup or during operation of the first tumor and 34 second tumors(77.3%) of metachronous MPNs were diagnosed by their own symptoms.
CONCLUSIONS
Due to the improvements in the techniques for diagnosis and treatment of cancer and the prolonged average life span, occurrence of MPNs is no longer rare. Therefore importance of early diagnosis of MPNs is increasing. We recommend to keep in mind the possibility of MPNs especially in RCC and bladder cancers. We think further study is needed to delimitate the risk factors of MPNs.