Cancer of unknown primary

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer of unknown primary represents 0.5 to 15% of all cancer patients, Although the identification of the primary is important, it is true that most of the time the search is unsuccessful. It remains controversial the extent of diagnostic work up, in part because the financial cost and mainly because sometimes results in waste of time, a time that is crucial for patients.

Objectives: Review of the literature and analysis of our experience.

Material and Methods: We review the literature and we made a retrospective analysis of 34 patients treated in our service.

Results: We found a diversity of situations with very ill patients not capable to receive any specific treatment, and in the other hand, patients with long survivals after combined treatment. We conclude that its important to follow a diagnostic algorithm and the importance of an accurate pathologic diagnosis, including inmunohistochemestry and emerging techniques such as microarray exam.