A review of urologic cancer patients with multiple primary malignancies

Abstract

Much has been written on the treatment of solitary or multiple metastatic nodules that sometimes present in patients with urological malignancies. However, relatively little has been published regarding those patients with urological cancer who have another concomitant primary non-urologic tumor. We describe several cases of patients who presented with a urologic malignancy and a secondary non-urologic tumor. We also reviewed the literature using MEDLINE to gather information concerning this rare occurrence. We found that secondary malignancies, although not very common, are being increasingly reported. They are usually detected during the preoperative work-up of the primary tumor, usually by CT scan, ultrasound, or chest X-ray. Most authors suggest that treatment should be directed at the more aggressive lesion first, which would improve the overall status of the patient, and thus allow a better response from therapy for the secondary lesion. While patients with multiple primary malignancies are rare, the urologist should be alerted to this possibility when evaluating the patient for the initially presenting or detected tumor.

Collision tumor of kidney: A case of renal cell carcinoma with metastases of prostatic adenocarcinoma

“…Ideally, both are to be treated simultaneously but, depending on the clinical situation, the more aggressive cancer is managed first as it is more likely to dictate the outcome and survival. [11]…”

Incidental advanced-stage Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosed at the time of radical prostatectomy for prostatic cancer: a case report and review of literature

“…Most authors suggest to treat the more aggressive condition first, thus improving the overall status of the patient and facilitating a better response of the second disease to therapy [28]. In our case, treatment decisions were jointly made by a panel of experts.…”

Prognosis of Prostate Cancer With Other Primary Malignancies

“…The routine use of more accurate diagnostic and imaging modalities during staging and preoperative work-ups and intensive follow-up of patients with one primary cancer contribute to increased detection. Additionally, the prolonged survival of cancer patients as a result of improved treatment modalities, exposure to environmental carcinogens, unhealthy habits and lifestyles (e.g., smoking, obesity), and an impaired immune system may increase the onset or the detection of other primary cancers [19,20,21]. Taken together, these factors increase the chance of diagnosing other primary malignancies in a prostate cancer patient.…”