# Nine Metachronous Cancers Primarily Involving the Head and Neck: A Case Report

**Authors:** Atsushi Miyauchi, Shuichi Matsumoto, Hiroaki Ito, Masamitsu Hyodo, Masanori Teshima

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.104078 · Cureus · 2026-02-22

## TL;DR

A 62-year-old man developed nine cancers mainly in the head and neck area, highlighting the need for long-term monitoring in cancer survivors.

## Contribution

This case report highlights the importance of continuous surveillance for new cancers in long-term survivors of multiple primary malignancies.

## Key findings

- Multiple primary cancers were detected at early stages through extensive surveillance.
- Minimally invasive resections contributed to long-term survival.
- New malignancies can emerge years after initial cancer treatments.

## Abstract

A 62-year-old man presented with multiple malignant tumors, predominantly involving the head and neck region, including the esophagus, gum, oropharynx, larynx, lungs, and stomach. Histopathological analysis revealed that while the majority of the tumors were squamous cell carcinomas, other types including spindle cell carcinoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma were also identified. Oropharyngeal cancer and oral cancer developed within a previously irradiated field from treatment 10 years prior. All subsequent primary tumors were detected at early stages through extensive multimodal surveillance, allowing for minimally invasive curative resections and contributing to long-term survival. This case underscores the necessity of lifelong, continuous monitoring for survivors of multiple primary cancers, as new malignancies can emerge long after initial treatments.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** cancer (MONDO:0004992), squamous cell carcinoma (MONDO:0005096), spindle cell carcinoma (MONDO:0006406), mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MONDO:0003036), adenocarcinoma (MONDO:0004970), oropharyngeal cancer (MONDO:0004608), oral cancer (MONDO:0023644)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MESH:D018277), spindle cell carcinoma (MESH:D002277), adenocarcinoma (MESH:D000230), Oropharyngeal cancer (MESH:D009959), oral cancer (MESH:D009062), squamous cell carcinomas (MESH:D002294), Cancers (MESH:D009369)

## Full text

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## Figures

10 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13012888/full.md

## References

17 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13012888/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13012888