Cancers of unknown primary origin: current perspectives and future therapeutic strategies

Journal of Translational Medicine

Paola Cassoni²  Margherita Ronco²  Adele Cassenti²  Rebecca Senetta²  Giulia Maria Stella¹ 

[1] Department of Molecular Medicine, - Section of Pneumology, Laboratory of Biochemistry & Genetics; University and Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia-Italy;Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Turin, 10128 Turin, Italy

关键词: Mutations;    Invasive growth;    Metastases;    Cancer;   

Others  :  1207783
DOI  :  10.1186/1479-5876-10-12

 received in 2011-10-17, accepted in 2012-01-24,  发布年份 2012

【 摘 要 】

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.

【 授权许可】

   
2012 Stella et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

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