Second Primary Tumors After Primary Brain Tumors and Vice Versa: A Single-Center, Retrospective Study.

Abstract

Background: Advancements in surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy have improved survival for brain tumor patients, increasing the risk of second primary tumors (SPTs) among long-term survivors. This study examines the types and risks of SPTs in brain tumor patients presenting at a tertiary care hospital.

Methods: This single-center, retrospective study explored occurrences of SPTs following primary brain tumors and occurrences of brain tumors as SPTs following primary extra neural tumors. A total of 41 patients were included and analyzed presenting with histologically confirmed SPTs between 1st January 2000 and 31st December 2020.

Results: The study included 41 patients with SPTs, primarily female (65.9%). Of these, 20 patients (48.7%) developed SPTs after a primary brain tumor, while 21 patients (51.2%) developed brain tumors as SPTs after extra-neural tumors. Among patients who developed SPTs after brain tumors (n=20), meningioma (n=8, 40.0%) and pituitary adenoma (n=6, 30.0%) were the most prevalent first primary tumors (FPTs) while breast tumors predominated as SPTs (n=4, 20.0%). Survival analysis indicated younger mean age (44.5 years) for patients marked alive, compared to those marked deceased (57.0 years) and those with unknown outcomes (63.0 years).

Conclusion: Based on this retrospective analysis, the median age at diagnosis was 44.5 years, with a considerable number of patients (36.6%) having uncertain outcomes at follow-up due to incomplete records. These findings highlight the need for improved follow-up data management to better assess long-term survival in patients with SPTs following brain tumors.