Long-term remission in a patient with carcinoma of unknown primary site.
BACKGROUND
Cancer of unknown primary site also designated as CUP syndrome usually presents as metastatic disease with a poor prognosis and low remission as well as survival rates.


METHODS
We report a 46-year-old male with para-aortal and left-sided cervical lymph node metastases. Histological examination of a cervical lymph node revealed papillary carcinoma. Despite thorough investigation, no primary tumor was found. The patient was empirically treated with six courses of the FACP regimen (5-fluorouracil, Adriamycin, cyclophosphamide and cisplatin) combined with radiotherapy (40 Gy) and has remained in complete remission for 124 months.


CONCLUSIONS
This case indicates that treatment of a patient with cancer of unknown primary site may be rewarded by a benign course. However, complete cure remains a very rare event in CUP. Remission can be achieved with a platinum-containing regimen combined with radiotherapy.
Jentsch-Ullrich
K
K
Department of Hematology and Oncology, Magdeburg University, Germany. Kathleen.Jentsch@Medizin.Uni-Magdeburg.de
Kalinski
T
T
Roessner
A
A
Franke
A
A
Mohren
M
M
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009382:Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D012074:Remission Induction; D005641:Tegafur / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors; D015898:Tomography Scanners, X-Ray Computed
D005641:Tegafur; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D002945:Cisplatin