title: [Advances in the diagnosis of unknown primary carcinoma of the neck].
abstract: The diagnosis of carcinoma of unknown primary is set, when histologically the neck metastases are confirmed but the primary focus is not possible to be found or occurs during the follow-up. The CUP-nodes constitute 2-20% of all neck metastases in laryngological entities. The squamous cell carcinoma or anaplastic carcinoma recognized in the neck nodes suggest, that the primary focus is localised in the head and neck region.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The schedule of diagnostic procedure aiming at finding the primary focus in CUP-syndrome is presented. The knowledge of carcinoma cells spreading paths between particular neck regions is crucial for effective diagnostics of tumor localization in upper aerodigestive tract.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 3320 oncological patients treated between 1993-2003 in Department of Otolaryngology, Head Neck Oncological Surgery 32 were diagnosed as CUP syndrome. In 17 patients the primary localisation was revealed during the follow-up period in: nasopharynx, palatine tonsil, hypopharynx, testis and breast. In 15 patients the primary focus was never found. The radical neck dissection followed by radiotherapy or chemotherapy was performed in patients with CUP. In cases when primary tumor was found, the radical surgery or radiotherapy was additionally applied.
authors.affiliation: Klinika Otolaryngologii i Onkologii Laryngologicznej AM w Poznaniu.
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kruk-Zagajewska
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Milecki
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wierzbicka
mesh_terms: D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009382:Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors