[A study of cervical metastases from unknown primary tumor].
Cervical metastases of cancer of an unknown primary tumour (CMUPT) are infrequent but they represent botha diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for ENT physicians. We present a retrospective study over 22 patients with CMUPT diagnosed in our hospital during 13 years (3.4% of the patients with head and neck cancer). The sensitivity of the fine-needle aspiration technique was 94.7%. 54% were N2a, 36% N3 and 9% N2b. 73% were squamous cell carcinoma and 27% were undifferentiated carcinoma. We established our protocol on diagnosis and management: panendoscopy with biopsies of nasopharynx, vallecula and pyriform sinus and ipsilateral tonsillectomy. The primary source was identified in 23% of the series. All squamous cell carcinoma were treated with radical neck surgery plus radiotherapy and the undifferentiated carcinoma with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The overall survival was 64% at 3 years. The N-stage affected the survival rate.
Vaamonde
P
P
Cátedra y Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Universidad y Hospital Clínico-Universitario de Santiago de Compostela. pvaamondel@seorl.org
Martín Martín
C
C
del Río Valeiras
M
M
Labella Caballero
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009382:Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies