Occult neoplasm - A Medical Service experience

Abstract

Cancer of unknown origin has a variable pre­ sentation which makes its systematic evaluati­on difficult. Few papers have been published concerning the subject. The A.A. made a two year retrospective study of all patients admitted to the Medical Service of Faro District Hospital

Cancer was diagnosed in 469 patients, with a diagnosis of cancer of unknown origin in 34. The authors evaluated the following: gender and age distribution, clinicai and laboratory data on ad­mission, diagnostic work-up, sites of metastasi­zation, cytology or histology ofthe tumours, cli­nical evolution and therapy.

Cancer of unknowon origin accounted for 6,8% ofthe total number of patients in whom neopla­ sic disease was diagnosed. The average age was 72 years with a mate predominance. Clinical and laboratory data on admission had no relevance to the final diagnosis. Ultrasonography and com­ puterised axial tomography were the exams most requested.

The liver was most frequent site for metasta­ses, and carcinoma was the most frequent diag­nosis made by cytology or histology. The average survival was 81,9 days. Only 4 patients star­ ted curative chemotherapy and 3 of them are still in remission after a follow-up of more than two years.