Diagnosis, workup, and prognosis of cutaneous metastases of unknown primary origin.
BACKGROUND
Metastatic cancer of unknown primary (MCUP) accounts for 5-10% of presenting oncology patients. Premorbid identification of the primary source occurs in only 20-25% of cases. A small fraction of these tumors present in the skin and are thus likely to be encountered by dermatologists and dermatologic surgeons.


OBJECTIVE
To present a practical schema for the diagnosis and evaluation of patients with MCUP.


METHODS
Case report and literature review.


CONCLUSIONS
The diagnosis of MCUP is associated with a poor prognosis, with median survival rates of less than 1 year. Efforts to identify subgroups of patients with understanding of these subgroups will enable early identification of patients with treatable disease and more favorable prognoses.
Carroll
Maria C
MC
Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226, USA.
Fleming
Matthew
M
Chitambar
Christopher R
CR
Neuburg
Marcy
M
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009382:Neoplasms, Unknown Primary; D011379:Prognosis; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary*