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Parisi S, Gambardella C, Ruggiero R, Tolone S, Iovino F, Lucido FS, Fisone F, Lanza Volpe M, Cozzolino G, Mongardini FM, Brusciano L, Andrea R, Docimo L. Rare axillary cancer of unknown primary originating from the breast of a 64‑year‑old male patient: A case report and literature review. Oncol Lett 2024; 27:86. [PMID: 38249810 PMCID: PMC10797319 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2024.14220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancers of unknown primary (CUPs) are a heterogeneous group of tumors characterized by a difficult diagnosis. The primitive tumor remains unknown, whereas metastases are the most common manifestation. Occult male breast cancers are very rare types of CUPs. The present study describes the case of a 64-year-old man affected by a CUP of presumed mammary origin. The aim of the article and the present review was to focus on their management. To the best of our knowledge, only thirteen cases have been reported in the literature. Because no specific guidelines are available, various approaches have been applied, influencing the treatment and the prognosis of patients with CUP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Parisi
- Department of Advanced Science and Surgery, General, Mini-Invasive, Oncological and Obesity Surgery Unit, Luigi Vanvitelli University of Campania, I-80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Claudio Gambardella
- Department of Advanced Science and Surgery, General, Mini-Invasive, Oncological and Obesity Surgery Unit, Luigi Vanvitelli University of Campania, I-80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Roberto Ruggiero
- Department of Advanced Science and Surgery, General, Mini-Invasive, Oncological and Obesity Surgery Unit, Luigi Vanvitelli University of Campania, I-80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Salvatore Tolone
- Department of Advanced Science and Surgery, General, Mini-Invasive, Oncological and Obesity Surgery Unit, Luigi Vanvitelli University of Campania, I-80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Iovino
- Department of Translational Medical Science, School of Medicine, General, Mini-Invasive, Oncological and Obesity Surgery Unit, Luigi Vanvitelli University of Campania, I-80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Saverio Lucido
- Department of Advanced Science and Surgery, General, Mini-Invasive, Oncological and Obesity Surgery Unit, Luigi Vanvitelli University of Campania, I-80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Fisone
- Department of Advanced Science and Surgery, General, Mini-Invasive, Oncological and Obesity Surgery Unit, Luigi Vanvitelli University of Campania, I-80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Mariachiara Lanza Volpe
- Department of Advanced Science and Surgery, General, Mini-Invasive, Oncological and Obesity Surgery Unit, Luigi Vanvitelli University of Campania, I-80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cozzolino
- Department of Advanced Science and Surgery, General, Mini-Invasive, Oncological and Obesity Surgery Unit, Luigi Vanvitelli University of Campania, I-80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Federico Maria Mongardini
- Department of Advanced Science and Surgery, General, Mini-Invasive, Oncological and Obesity Surgery Unit, Luigi Vanvitelli University of Campania, I-80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Brusciano
- Department of Advanced Science and Surgery, General, Mini-Invasive, Oncological and Obesity Surgery Unit, Luigi Vanvitelli University of Campania, I-80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Ronchi Andrea
- Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine Department, Pathology Unit, Luigi Vanvitelli University of Campania, I-80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Ludovico Docimo
- Department of Advanced Science and Surgery, General, Mini-Invasive, Oncological and Obesity Surgery Unit, Luigi Vanvitelli University of Campania, I-80138 Naples, Italy
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Pinkiewicz M, Dorobisz K, Zatoński T. A Systematic Review of Cancer of Unknown Primary in the Head and Neck Region. Cancer Manag Res 2021; 13:7235-7241. [PMID: 34566429 PMCID: PMC8457440 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s319179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Despite the vivid progress in molecular and genetic profiling, extensive diagnosis and multiple therapeutic modalities, cancers of unknown primary in the head and neck region continue to be a formidable challenge. Aim The purpose of the review is to present the most recent and well-established findings concerning cancers of unknown primary (CUPs) in the head and neck patients and consequently to provide medical specialists with essential information regarding the biology, pathology, histology, diagnosis and treatment of CUP in the head and neck region. Material and Methods The Medline/PubMed database was searched by using the following keywords “CUP”, “cancer of unknown primary”, “CUP biology”, “head and neck”. The references of the publications of interest were also screened for relevant papers. There were no limitations in regard to the publication date. Conclusion Unique biology and pathophysiology prompt the management of CUP to be demanding. The vivid rise in HPV-related CUPs during the last 20 years has put more focus on this phenomenon. New findings concerning the enigmatic biology of CUP provide fundaments for targeted therapy. Despite the availability of various diagnostic methods, the diagnosis of CUP continues to be a time-consuming, strenuous process that eventually provides answers. It remains controversial as to what combination of treatment methods is the most effective. There is no consensus on the value of combining chemotherapy with radiotherapy. Highly specific surgical treatments for particular histological types of CUP produce more satisfactory results. It is paramount to establish reliable guidelines concerning the diagnosis and treatment of CUP patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milosz Pinkiewicz
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Wroclaw Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Karolina Dorobisz
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Wroclaw Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Tomasz Zatoński
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Wroclaw Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
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Costantini M, Montella RA, Fadda MP, Garganese G, Di Leone A, Sanchez AM, Franceschini G, Rinaldi PM. Axillary Nodal Metastases from Carcinoma of Unknown Primary (CUPAx): Role of Contrast-Enhanced Spectral Mammography (CESM) in Detecting Occult Breast Cancer. J Pers Med 2021; 11:465. [PMID: 34070278 PMCID: PMC8225076 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11060465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Axillary lymph node metastases of occult breast cancer (CUPAx) is an unusual condition that represents both a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. The first steps in the diagnostic work-up of patients with CUPAx are the histological analysis of the lymph node metastasis and the execution of basic breast diagnostic imaging (mammography and ultrasound). In the case of occult breast cancer, breast Magnetic Resonance (MR) must be performed. Breast MR identifies a suspicious lesion in many patients and second-look ultrasound detects a corresponding ultrasound alteration in about half of cases, allowing the performance of a US-guided biopsy. In the case of an MR-only lesion, MR-guided biopsy is mandatory. We present a case of CUPAx in which contrast-enhanced spectral mammography (CESM) is used to help the detection of occult breast cancer and to guide stereotactic vacuum breast biopsy (VABB). CESM is a new breast imaging technique that is proving to have good performance in breast cancer detection and that is showing potential in the identification of occult breast cancer in a CUPAx setting. The use of an innovative and personalized breast imaging approach in breast cancer patients improves diagnostic possibilities and promises to become the focus in decision strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melania Costantini
- Radiology Unit, Mater Olbia Hospital (Qatar Foundation Endowment and Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS Foundation), 07026 Olbia, Italy; (M.C.); (M.P.F.); (P.M.R.)
- Area Diagnostica per Immagini, Dipartimento Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Rino Aldo Montella
- Radiology Unit, Mater Olbia Hospital (Qatar Foundation Endowment and Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS Foundation), 07026 Olbia, Italy; (M.C.); (M.P.F.); (P.M.R.)
| | - Maria Paola Fadda
- Radiology Unit, Mater Olbia Hospital (Qatar Foundation Endowment and Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS Foundation), 07026 Olbia, Italy; (M.C.); (M.P.F.); (P.M.R.)
| | - Giorgia Garganese
- Gynecology and Breast Care Center, Mater Olbia Hospital (Qatar Foundation Endowment and Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS Foundation), 07026 Olbia, Italy;
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita e Sanità Pubblica, Sezione Ginecologia e Ostetricia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Alba Di Leone
- Multidisciplinary Breast Center, Dipartimento Scienze della Salute della Donna e del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy; (A.D.L.); (A.M.S.); (G.F.)
| | - Alejandro Martin Sanchez
- Multidisciplinary Breast Center, Dipartimento Scienze della Salute della Donna e del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy; (A.D.L.); (A.M.S.); (G.F.)
| | - Gianluca Franceschini
- Multidisciplinary Breast Center, Dipartimento Scienze della Salute della Donna e del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy; (A.D.L.); (A.M.S.); (G.F.)
- Istituto di Semeiotica Chirurgica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Maria Rinaldi
- Radiology Unit, Mater Olbia Hospital (Qatar Foundation Endowment and Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS Foundation), 07026 Olbia, Italy; (M.C.); (M.P.F.); (P.M.R.)
- Area Diagnostica per Immagini, Dipartimento Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy
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Barbieri E, Anghelone CAP, Gentile D, La Raja C, Bottini A, Tinterri C. Metastases from Occult Breast Cancer: A Case Report of Carcinoma of Unknown Primary Syndrome. Case Rep Oncol 2020; 13:1158-1163. [PMID: 33173479 PMCID: PMC7590765 DOI: 10.1159/000510001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP) syndrome occurs when metastases from an unknown primary site spread to multiple organs. Occult breast cancer (OBC) is defined as a clinically recognizable metastatic carcinoma from an undetectable primary breast tumor. It accounts for 0.3–1% of all breast cancers, often presenting with lymph node, bone, and skin metastases. Clinical and radiological examinations represent the first steps in the diagnostic algorithm for CUP syndrome from OBC. However, histological and immunohistochemical analyses, multidisciplinary team evaluation, and a multidisciplinary therapy are essential in the diagnosis and treatment of CUP syndrome from OBC. We report the case of a 52-year-old woman who underwent the removal of a parietal skin lesion. The histological and immunohistochemical analyses suggested a breast cancer origin. Clinical assessment and laboratory and radiological examinations did not locate the primary tumor. Hormone therapy was offered to the patient; however, she refused it. After 28 months, the patient reported a right cervical lump, and a total-body positron emission tomography showed dissemination of the disease to the lymph nodes and bone. A CUP syndrome from OBC was diagnosed. A multimodality approach with radiotherapy and hormone and biological therapy was started. At present, 5 years from the first presentation, the patient is asymptomatic despite the disseminated disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Barbieri
- Breast Unit, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Damiano Gentile
- Breast Unit, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlotta La Raja
- Breast Unit, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto Bottini
- Breast Unit, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Corrado Tinterri
- Breast Unit, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Milan, Italy
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Predicting cancer origins with a DNA methylation-based deep neural network model. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0226461. [PMID: 32384093 PMCID: PMC7209244 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer origin determination combined with site-specific treatment of metastatic cancer patients is critical to improve patient outcomes. Existing pathology and gene expression-based techniques often have limited performance. In this study, we developed a deep neural network (DNN)-based classifier for cancer origin prediction using DNA methylation data of 7,339 patients of 18 different cancer origins from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). This DNN model was evaluated using four strategies: (1) when evaluated by 10-fold cross-validation, it achieved an overall specificity of 99.72% (95% CI 99.69%-99.75%) and sensitivity of 92.59% (95% CI 91.87%-93.30%); (2) when tested on hold-out testing data of 1,468 patients, the model had an overall specificity of 99.83% and sensitivity of 95.95%; (3) when tested on 143 metastasized cancer patients (12 cancer origins), the model achieved an overall specificity of 99.47% and sensitivity of 95.95%; and (4) when tested on an independent dataset of 581 samples (10 cancer origins), the model achieved overall specificity of 99.91% and sensitivity of 93.43%. Compared to existing pathology and gene expression-based techniques, the DNA methylation-based DNN classifier showed higher performance and had the unique advantage of easy implementation in clinical settings. In summary, our study shows that DNA methylation-based DNN models has potential in both diagnosis of cancer of unknown primary and identification of cancer cell types of circulating tumor cells.
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Zaun G, Schuler M, Herrmann K, Tannapfel A. CUP Syndrome-Metastatic Malignancy with Unknown Primary Tumor. DEUTSCHES ARZTEBLATT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 115:157-162. [PMID: 29587959 DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2018.0157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2017] [Revised: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 08/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND 2-4% of newly diagnosed cases of malignant disease involve cancer of unknown primary (CUP). This mixed entity is one of the 6 most common types of malignant disease in Germany. Highly refined treatment strategies can now be offered to patients with CUP. METHODS This review is based on pertinent publications retrieved by a selective search in PubMed with an emphasis on articles from the past decade. The current guidelines and recommendations of specialty societies were also considered in the evaluation. RESULTS CUP most commonly manifests itself as metastases to the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, or bones. With the aid of imaging studies, including functional hybrid imaging and further medical examination, a primary tumor can be discovered in up to 40% of patients initially diagnosed with CUP. Immunohistochemistry guided by histomorphology often enables precise characterization of the lesion and can be supplemented, in selected cases, by molecular-genetic diagnostic evaluation. The most commonly detected types of primary tumor are cancers of the lung, pancreas, liver, and biliary system. For patients with local metastases, surgical resection or radiotherapy with curative intent is usually indicated, sometimes in the framework of a multimodal treatment concept. The median 2-year survival of patients with disseminated CUP is only 20%. For such patients, specific types of systemic therapy are recommended on the basis of the diagnostic characterization of the disease. Immune-modulatory antibodies can be effective, particularly in the treatment of CUP that has been characterized with biomarkers, but should still be considered experimental at present. CONCLUSION A combination of conventional and innovative diagnostic methods enables the provision of highly refined therapeutic strategies to patients with CUP who are undergoing treatment in interdisciplinary cancer centers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregor Zaun
- West German Cancer Center, Clinic for Internal Medicine (Tumor Research), University Hospital Essen; West German Cancer Center, Clinic for Internal Medicine (Tumor Research), University Hospital Essen, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Location University Hospital Essen; West German Cancer Center, Clinic for Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Essen, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Location University Hospital Essen; Institute of Pathology, Ruhr-University Bochum
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Giordano V, Giordano M, Giordano C, Giordano J, Koch HA, Knackfuss IG. Metastatic tumor of the hand of unknown primary origin. SAGE Open Med Case Rep 2019; 7:2050313X19836894. [PMID: 30899514 PMCID: PMC6419255 DOI: 10.1177/2050313x19836894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Acral metastases in the hand are exceedingly rare. We present the unusual case of a metastatic tumor of the hand of unknown primary site in a 77-year-old man with no known cancer history. The patient presented with pain and swelling in the tip of the left ring finger, which had previously been diagnosed as gout at another clinic. Laboratory tests, including white blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate/C-reactive protein, and uric acid were all within normal limits. Excisional biopsy was taken by amputation of the distal phalanx of the left ring finger through the distal third of the middle phalanx. Pathology confirmed the presence of a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of unknown primary site. Roentgenographic examination of the chest revealed no pathologic findings. The patient refused further investigation and adequate treatment. He died 4 months later. The current description confirms the rarity of metastatic malignancy of the hand and its poor prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Giordano
- Serviço de Ortopedia e Traumatologia Prof. Nova Monteiro, Hospital Municipal Miguel Couto, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcos Giordano
- Serviço de Traumato-Ortopedia, Hospital de Força Aérea do Galeão, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Hilton Augusto Koch
- Departamento de Radiologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Irocy Guedes Knackfuss
- Departamento de Ortopedia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Gastric Linitis Plastica and Peritoneal Carcinomatosis as First Manifestations of Occult Breast Carcinoma: A Case Report and Literature Review. Case Rep Oncol Med 2018; 2018:4714708. [PMID: 30073103 PMCID: PMC6057327 DOI: 10.1155/2018/4714708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2018] [Revised: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric linitis plastica is a diffuse involvement of the stomach walls by neoplastic cells. It represents about 3–19% of primitive gastric adenocarcinomas, but it can also be the manifestation of a metastatic disease. Breast cancer is the most frequent malignancy in women, and the metastatic spread to the stomach occurs in less than 10% of the cases. We present an unusual case of gastric linitis plastica and peritoneal carcinomatosis as manifestations of an occult breast cancer in a 53-year-old woman. Imaging and endoscopic evaluation were not able to discriminate a primary from a secondary gastric lesion. The histological evaluation excluded the diagnosis of a primary gastric neoplasia. The IHC profile was consistent with the diagnosis of metastases from the breast cancer. Due to the hormonal receptors' positivity, we started therapy with fulvestrant (500 mg, day 0, 14, and 28 and every 28 days thereafter by intramuscular injection). After 20 months, the same therapy is still ongoing and well tolerated, while the patient is in good condition with improvement of the dysphagia. Almost 2 years after the diagnosis of linitis plastica, the primitive breast lesion is still occult.
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Uzunoglu S, Erdogan B, Kodaz H, Cinkaya A, Turkmen E, Hacibekiroglu I, Sari A, Ozen A, Usta U, Cicin I. Unknown primary adenocarcinomas: a single-center experience. Bosn J Basic Med Sci 2016; 16:292-297. [PMID: 27455119 DOI: 10.17305/bjbms.2016.1495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Revised: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 07/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to elucidate the clinical and prognostic characteristics of a homogeneous group of patients with cancer of unknown primary (CUP). Between 1999 and 2014, CUP was diagnosed in 159 (1.3%) of 11,742 cancer patients at Trakya University Hospital (Edirne, Turkey). Ninety-seven (61%) of the 159 patients were retrospectively reviewed. Among these, 61 (62.8%) patients with adenocarcinoma were included in this study. The most frequently predicted primary tumor site was the lung (37.7%), and 59% of the patients were smokers. There was a significant relationship between smoking and the lung as a potential primary cancer site (p = 0.042). The most frequent site of metastasis was the liver (60.7%). The median number of metastases per patient was two, but patients with liver metastases had a median of five metastases. The overall median survival time was 7 months. Median survival was significantly longer in patients with a predicted primary site than in patients without the predicted site (7 vs. 6 months, respectively; p = 0.038). When the patients with predicted ovarian and peritoneal tumors were excluded from the comparison, the statistical p value was still close to significant (p = 0.07). Multivariate analysis revealed that smoking, liver metastasis, serum alkaline phosphatase ≥92 U/L, and progression in response to chemotherapy were independent predictors of a poor prognosis. The present study identified several independent prognostic factors in patients with unknown primary adenocarcinomas who received chemotherapy. Smoking, the presence of liver metastasis, and response to chemotherapy were independent risk factors for both progression-free and overall survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sernaz Uzunoglu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey.
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Fayanju OM, Stoll CRT, Fowler S, Colditz GA, Jeffe DB, Margenthaler JA. Geographic and temporal trends in the management of occult primary breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Surg Oncol 2013; 20:3308-16. [PMID: 23975301 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-013-3157-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Management of occult primary breast cancer (OPBC), including the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), is controversial. We conducted a pooled analysis of OPBC patients and a meta-analysis of MRI accuracy in OPBC in order to elucidate current practices. METHODS A literature search yielded 201 studies. Patient-level data for clinically/mammographically OPBC from studies published after 1993 and from our institution were pooled; logistic regression examined associations between patient/study data and outcomes, including treatments and recurrence. We report adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CI) significant at 2-tailed p < 0.05. Meta-analysis included data for patients who received MRIs for workup of clinically/mammographically OPBC. We report pooled sensitivity and specificity with 95 % CIs. RESULTS The pooled analysis included 92 patients (15 studies [n = 85] plus our institution [n = 7]). Patients from Asia were more likely to receive breast surgery (OR = 5.98, 95 % CI = 2.02-17.65) but not chemotherapy (OR = 0.32, 95 % CI = 0.13-0.82); patients from the United States were more likely to receive chemotherapy (OR = 13.08, 95 % CI = 2.64-64.78). Patients from studies published after 2003 were more likely to receive radiotherapy (OR = 3.86, 95 % CI = 1.41-10.55). Chemotherapy recipients were more likely to have distant recurrence (OR = 9.77, 95 % CI = 1.10-87.21). More patients with positive MRIs received chemotherapy than patients with negative MRIs (10 of 12 [83.3 %] vs 5 of 13 [38.5 %]; p = 0.0414). In the MRI-accuracy meta-analysis (10 studies, n = 262), pooled sensitivity and specificity were 96 % (95 % CI = 91-98 %) and 63 % (95 % CI = 42-81 %), respectively. CONCLUSIONS OPBC management varied geographically and over time. We recommend establishing an international OPBC patient registry to facilitate longitudinal study and develop global treatment standards.
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Stella GM, Senetta R, Cassenti A, Ronco M, Cassoni P. Cancers of unknown primary origin: current perspectives and future therapeutic strategies. J Transl Med 2012; 10:12. [PMID: 22272606 PMCID: PMC3315427 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-10-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2011] [Accepted: 01/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
It is widely accepted that systemic neoplastic spread is a late event in tumour progression. However, sometimes, rapidly invasive cancers are diagnosed because of appearance of metastatic lesions in absence of a clearly detectable primary mass. This kind of disease is referred to as cancer of unknown primary (CUP) origin and accounts for 3-5% of all cancer diagnosis. There is poor consensus on the extent of diagnostic and pathologic evaluations required for these enigmatic cases which still lack effective treatment. Although technology to predict the primary tumour site of origin is improving rapidly, the key issue is concerning the biology which drives early occult metastatic spreading. This review provides the state of the art about clinical and therapeutic management of this malignant syndrome; main interest is addressed to the most recent improvements in CUP molecular biology and pathology, which will lead to successful tailored therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Maria Stella
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (IRCC), Candiolo (Turin), Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernd Gerber
- Breast Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rostock, Germany
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