Diagnosis of unknown primary cancer based on molecular techniques may influence therapeutic approach and improve survival.
Unknown primary cancer (UPC) is a common clinical syndrome classically associated with a poor prognosis. Pathological examination including immunohistochemistry continues to be essential in tumour origin characterization, although in many cases primary tumour site remains unknown. Gene expression based analysis may offer important diagnostic information that could lead to therapeutic decisions.
Homet
Blanca
B
Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain. blankihome@hotmail.com
Hitt
Ricardo
R
Ghanem
Ismael
I
Cortés-Funes
Hernán
H
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000556:secondary*; D000368:Aged; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009382:Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000556:secondary*