Peritoneal carcinomatosis of unknown primary site in women

Article Abstract:

The clinical features and treatment of adenocarcinoma, a malignant growth arising from a glandular organ, were assessed in 18 female patients with abdominal carcinomatosis, widespread cancer within the abdomen. The primary site or origin of the cancer could not be identified by laparotomy, the surgical opening of the abdomen. Although attempts were made to reduce or remove the cancer cells at laparotomy, nine patients had limited residual or remaining tumors; the remaining nine patients had extensive residual disease. The patients were treated according to the regimen recommended for ovarian cancer. After laparotomy, 16 of 18 patients received the anticancer drug cisplatin. The average duration of survival for all patients was 23 months. Five patients responded to therapy, and three patients remain free of disease 41, 59, and 77 months after being diagnosed with cancer. Patients with limited residual tumors survived an average of 31 months, compared with patients with extensive residual disease, who survived an average of 11 months. The clinical findings indicate that women who have abdominal adenocarcinoma without a known primary site are likely to experience a slow disease course, high response rate to chemotherapy, and chance for long-term, disease-free survival after treatment. The most effective treatment for this type of cancer has not been established, although use of the guidelines for treating ovarian cancer may be effective. This includes cytoreduction or surgical reduction of tumor and removal of cancer tissue, followed by drug therapy with the anticancer agent cisplatin. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Case studies, Evaluation, Cisplatin, Pelvic cancer

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The role of etoposide in the treatment of poorly differentiated carcinoma of unknown primary site

Article Abstract:

In one to five percent of all cancers, only the metastatic disease is found and the site of the primary tumor is not identified. Of the metastatic carcinomas of unknown primary site, from 25 to 35 percent are poorly differentiated carcinomas or poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas. (This should not be surprising, as a well differentiated metastatic cancer often provides clues to its primary origin.) Unfortunately, metastatic carcinomas of unknown origin have stimulated little research, due to the common belief that the prognosis for such cancers is uniformly poor. This is not necessarily true, however, and researchers have lately come to recognize that the poorly differentiated carcinoma and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma subtypes may well respond to chemotherapy. The authors discuss the treatment of 32 previously untreated patients with poorly differentiated carcinoma. These patients were treated with a combination of etoposide and cisplatin. Of the 30 patients who could be evaluated, 11 had complete responses and seven patients remain disease-free over long periods ranging from 39 to 63 months. These results are at least as good as have been obtained in the past with the more toxic regimen consisting of cisplatin, vinblastine, and bleomycin. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Research, Antineoplastic agents, Chemotherapy, Etoposide

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Treatment of patients with cancer of an unknown primary site

Article Abstract:

It is often difficult to treat patients with metastatic cancer with an unknown primary site. The primary site is the location in the body where the cancer first arises. Patients with suspected metastatic cancer should have several laboratory tests and a through physical examination. They should also have a biopsy of the most accessible lesion. Once diagnosed with metastatic cancer, patients should have tests and evaluation to determine the primary site. Patients with an unknown primary site are usually categorized as having adenocarcinoma or squamous carcinoma. There are four subtypes of adenocarcinoma and two of squamous carcinoma. A specific type of treatment is recommended for patients in each of these subgroups. Some patients may receive a curative treatment, but others may only receive treatment for their symptoms. Some patients with poorly differentiated cancer or adenocarcinoma may be diagnosed with lymphoma or other treatable disorders.

Diagnosis, Squamous cell carcinoma

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