Multiple primary malignancies: Vigilance is paramount in identification

Ever since it was first described by Billroth, there is an increasing incidence of multiple primary malignancies cases, due to increase in the survival rate of cancer patients and improvement of diagnostic tools. Incidence of second malignancies in cancer patients is 10 to 20%. A total of 10 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included. All the 10 patients’ case sheets were pursued, and the biochemical, radiological and histopathological reports were analyzed. Results revealed that out of the 10 patients, five were synchronous and the other five were metachronous with a median age of 59 years. Four male patients and six female patients are included. The most common malignancy sites were the stomach and breast, and the mean time interval between both the metachronous tumors is 7.2 years. Thus, a strong clinical suspicion is needed for detecting the multiple primary malignancies, anda treatment plan should be formulated individually for every case. Key words:  Neoplasm, multiple primary, synchronous neoplasm, metachronous neoplasm, therapeutics.