Dual primary malignancies in gynaecological cancers

Abstract

The occurrence of second primary malignancy (SPM) in a diagnosed case of a cancer patient and also in a cancer survivor is not very uncommon. We report the occurrence of double malignancies in 9 patients with gynaecological cancers. Three patients had gynaecological index malignancy (1 endometrium and 2 cervix); 7 had second malignancy as gynaecological (3 endometrium, 2 ovary, 1 each cervix and vulva). Three had synchronous, 6 had metachronous malignancies; 1 patient had multiple gynaecological malignancies. Primary index malignancies were treated with radical intent (n=8), except for one patient with gallbladder cancer with liver metastases and simultaneous ovarian cancer was treated by palliative chemotherapy. Second primary tumours were managed with radical intent in six and palliative intent in three patients.