title: Primary peritoneal carcinoma: a treatable subset of patients with adenocarcinoma of unknown primary.
abstract: The syndrome of adenocarcinoma of unknown primary (ACUP) is a frequent problem in both medical and surgical practice. The prognosis is poor, the median lifespan being 4 months. In general, multiple invasive procedures aimed at determining the primary tumour are not warranted due to the low frequency of detecting a tumour for which adequate treatment exists. In this paper we wish to highlight a subset of female patients presenting with malignant ascites and no evidence of a pelvic mass, who on laparotomy were found to have primary peritoneal papillary serous adenocarcinoma. These tumours must be regarded as a potentially treatable subset of patients with ACUP in view of their frequent response to chemotherapy and relatively good prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Westmead Hospital, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Della-Fiorentina
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Jaworski
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Crandon
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Harnett
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018283:Cystadenocarcinoma, Papillary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D011379:Prognosis; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D016190:Carboplatin