title: [Detection of primary tumor in cervical lymph node metastases of unknown origin].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the incidence of cervical metastases of cancer of unknown origin and the probability of locating the primary tumor.
  
  
  METHODS
  A three-year prospective study (January 1992 to December 1994).
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients of the Zamora (Spain) health district who were seen in the head and neck oncology unit of the Virgen de la Concha Hospital for malignant neck tumor.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-nine patients with lymphatic carcinomatous metastases in neck.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A primary tumor of the pharynx, larynx, or oral cavity was found in 56 cases (70.9%). No primary tumor was located in 12 patients (15.2%). The primary tumor was an asymptomatic tumor of the chest, abdomen, or pelvis in 11 cases (13.9%) (3 pulmonary, 2 renal, 2 prostatic, 1 vesical, 1 gastric, and 2 esophageal). The probability of locating the primary tumor by clinical examination and noninvasive methods was p = 0.95.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The diagnostic strategy for cervical metastases of an unknown primary was reviewed. The probability of locating the primary tumor depended on diagnostic phase.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de ORL, Hospital Virgen de la Concha, Insalud, Zamora.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Pardal Refoyo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000556:secondary*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D011446:Prospective Studies
vernacular_title: Detección del tumor primario en metástasis ganglionares cervicales de origen desconocido.