Cancer of the unknown primary is when cancer is found somewhere in the body but the pathologist is unable to tell where the cells originated from. The cancer cells are so poorly differentiated that they do not resemble any cells of the body. It can be very difficult to find the right treatment because doctors usually use the type of cancer as the main starting point to choose chemotherapy or treatments that are known to be effective. Other problems arise with this type of diagnoses. Many physicians do not have much to go on to treat this disease or know if the patient is likely to survive.
French researchers have developed a prognostic model for cancer of the unknown primary. The findings were published in the December 1st issue of Cancer. Low serum albumin levels and elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the blood of patients had the worse prognosis overall. This prognostic model can show who has the most powerful adverse prognostic factors.
Even with this information though, it doesn't seem to have anything to do with treatment. They can tell who has a better or worse prognosis but what then?
Previous posts on the topic:
1. I am an almost 1-year survivor of stage 4 C.U.P. in my left pelvic cavity.
I am in the beginning stages of developing an Advocay Organization for C.U.P.
If anyone has any information they would like to share, please e-mail me (please put something about C.U.P. in the subject line).
The more information the better. Thank you and may you all be blessed and healed!
Posted at 1:01PM on Jan 29th 2007 by Mara De Leon