Introduction: Multiple primary neoplasms are defined as a second malignance having histology and site different from the first. The increase of the life expectation in cancer patients leads to an increase in multiple primary neoplasms incidence. This study analyzes the characteristics of patients with colorectal cancer and another primary neoplasms.
Patients and methods: In the period from 1993 to 1998, 145 patients with colorectal cancer were accompanied in the Oncology Division of Gastroenterology of Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Five patients (3.4%) had multiple primary neoplasms. The possibility of metastasis were excluded and the second cancer was confirmed by hystological examination.
Results: The medium age was of 60.6 years old, four were female and one male. Three had rectum cancer and two colon cancer, one in the right colon and one in the left colon. The other site of cancer was breast, uterus, uterus and vagina, skin and lip. One patient died and the others were in attendance, two for more than three years. Two patients received pelvic radiotherapy before the rectal cancer. In one patient the tumor colorectal cancer appeared before the other cancer, and in four it appeared later on to the diagnosis of the other primary neoplasia.
Discussion: The prevalence of multiple primary neoplasms was of 3.4%, being major in female. Uterus' cancer was the more frequent association. Radiotherapy was performed in 40% of patients. We believe that attendance of cancer patients is very important to precocious diagnosis and treatment of multiple primary neoplasms.