Multiple malignant tumors.

BACKGROUND Due to the improvement in diagnosis and therapy for certain malignant tumors, we are now faced with patients who develop in time multiple malignancies. METHODS We conducted a retrospective analysis of the patients diagnosed with at least two primary cancers that were admitted and treated in Cluj-Napoca Municipal Hospital. The study followed patients for a period of 7.5 years. RESULTS We included in the present study 217 patients (4.33%) with two or more malignant primary tumors from 5003 cases diagnosed with a primary cancer. The most common sites for multiple malignant tumors were related to the breast, colorectum, urinary bladder, prostate and kidneys. CONCLUSIONS We should always take into consideration the possibility of synchronous tumors and we have to keep in mind that a successful treatment of cancer might not prevent the onset of another primary mass.