open access: Cancer of unknown primary (CPU) : progress in the search for improved and rapid diagnosis leading toward superior patient outcomes

Abstract

This paper explores the enigma of cancer of unknown primary (CUP) in relation to rapidly improving molecular diagnostic approaches. It is based on the first global collaboration meeting on improving research and clinical outcomes in CUP organized by the CUP Foundation........All patients with CUP could thus be appropriately managed without the constant uncertainty that has previously severely hampered patient care and optimal outcomes. The longer-term objective is to understand the biology of highly metastatic disease, leading to the development of future global therapeutic programs. Current clinical studies, such as CUP-ONE, will address some of these issues.

introduction

definition, epidemiology, biology, and prognosis

diagnostic approaches to CUP

pathologic evaluation

clinical evaluation

molecular profiling and classification of human cancers

new technologies in practice

conclusion

 

"....Several of the favorable subsets of CUP patients seem to mimic the clinical and pathologic features of particular known metastatic cancers. These include ..............; peritoneal serous adenocarcinoma (ovarian primary) ........" 

Table 1.    Favorable prognostic subsets of patients with unknown primary cancer recognized by clinical and pathologic features in the last three decades