Incidence of second primary malignancies in patients with treated head and neck cancer: a comprehensive review of literature.

Background: Increased incidence of a second primary aero-digestive malignancy after an index head and neck cancer (HNC) is well-documented. Furthermore, a clear set of surveillance strategies for second primary aero-digestive cancers in these patients exists.

Methods: The goal of this article is to review the published literature on risk of second primary malignancies (SPMs) (including aero-digestive malignancies) after a treated index HNC as well as its associated predictors, prognosis and surveillance.