Iliac lymph node metastasis of an unknown primary tumor: report of a case

HPV-related metastatic retroperitoneal pelvic squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary origin in a patient previously treated for endometrial cancer

INTRODUCTION

Cancer of unknown primary (CUP) is metastatic disease with no identifiable site of origin. Retroperitoneal squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary is extremely rare. There are limited reports regarding treatment recommendations and outcomes for women with this disease.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

Here we present the case of a woman with human papillomavirus (HPV)-related metastatic retroperitoneal pelvic squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary previously treated for endometrial cancer as well as a review of the existing reports on this topic. Surgical removal of the tumor was performed, the treatment had effective immediate results.

DISCUSSION

There are a few reports describing CUPs in the retroperitoneal space. Most retroperitoneal tumors are asymptomatic and may be found incidentally during a regular examination, as in the case presented here. A full pelvic exam including inspection of the vulva, colposcopy and anoscopy should be performed, particularly in HPV-associated CUPs. Pathologic testing including immunohistochemistry and special staining and molecular testing of the tumor may be needed.

CONCLUSION

It is important to find the primary origin of cancer to treat it successfully. If the primary tumor cannot be identified, immunohistochemistry and molecular testing of the tumor may help identify the nature of malignant disease and help guide appropriate treatment.

Local Treatment Efficacy for Single-Area Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Unknown Primary Site

The prognosis for cancer of unknown primary site (CUP) is poor, and squamous cell carcinoma of the unknown primary site (SCCUP) is a rare histological type. CUP is often treated with aggressive multimodal treatments, while the treatment of single-area localized CUP remains controversial. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with CUP. SCCUP in women was classified according to several definitions. Based on the histologic type and site, they were classified into favorable and unfavorable subsets. We further divided SCCUP into two types (single and multiple areas) and reviewed treatment and efficacy. Among the 227 female CUP patients, 36 (15%) had SCCUP. The median age was 59.9 years (range, 31-90 years). Most patients (61.1%) had a good performance status. Of the SCCUP patients, 22 had cancer in a single area, and 14 in multiple areas. Single-area SCCUP was further divided into favorable (16 cases) and unfavorable subsets (6 cases). In the favorable subset, local treatment was predominant, and almost all cases had a good prognosis. Even in the unfavorable subset, local therapy was combined with systemic chemotherapy in only two cases, and four cases showed no recurrences. Local treatment may be effective for single-area SCCUP, even in the unfavorable subset.

[Cancer of unknown primary (CUP)-single-site, oligometastatic, and in the head and neck region]

INTRODUCTION

About 20% of all cancer of unknown primary (CUP) cases can be classified into favorable subgroups, which are defined by either obvious analogies to certain cancers with a known primary or amenability to local ablative treatment. In the updated European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of CUP, the definition of favorable subgroups has been revised according to the latest scientific findings. In particular, the definition and treatment of oligometastatic CUP have undergone considerable changes in recent years. Thus, we delineate the current diagnostic and therapeutic standards for the two favorable CUP subtypes single-site/oligometastatic and head/neck CUP.

METHODS

The classification, diagnostic workup, and treatment of single-site and oligometastatic CUP are summarized based on the current ESMO and American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) guidelines together with a literature review.

CONCLUSIONS

Single-site and oligometastatic CUP is defined by the presence of a maximum of five metastases that are amenable to local ablative treatment. Median overall survival is favorable and exceeds 4 years after local ablation of all detectable metastases. Lymph node metastases in the head and neck region represent a frequent scenario of single-site CUP. They usually originate from human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated squamous cell carcinoma in the oropharynx. Diagnostic workup comprises computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) if necessary, and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT), followed by panendoscopy and biopsies of suspicious mucosal sites. Neck dissection, potentially followed by adjuvant radiotherapy, and definitive radiotherapy represent equally effective oncological treatment options with respect to a favorable prognosis.

Local ablative treatment with surgery and/or radiotherapy in single-site and oligometastatic carcinoma of unknown primary

BACKGROUND

Single-site carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP) is recognised as a distinct favourable subtype in the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) classification. There is broad consensus that these patients are candidates for local ablative treatment strategies with surgery and/or radiotherapy, but data on their outcomes are scarce.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this study, we have addressed the prospects of cure and prognostic factors in a retrospective cohort of 63 patients who were eligible for local treatment at our centre.

RESULTS

Median event-free (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were 15.6 months and 52.5 months, respectively. Of 61 patients who received local treatment, 20 (32.8%) remained event-free over a median follow-up of 28 months. Baseline clinical parameters including affected organ, number, volume and histology of metastases had no significant impact on prognosis, whereas deleterious TP53 mutations and DNA copy number loss emerged as independent adverse risk factors with respect to EFS. Surgical treatment was associated with improved OS as compared to radiation-based therapy.

CONCLUSION

Our study advocates to pursue localised treatment with surgery and/or radiotherapy whenever feasible and implies that genetic parameters might additionally determine the clinical course of single-site CUP patients.

Male pelvic squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary origin

Pelvic squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary origin has been described in several case reports of female patients. However, there have been no published reports describing male patients with pelvic squamous cell cancer of unknown primary origin. Our case describes a 52-year-old man who presented with right buttock pain, rectal urgency, and constipation. His physical examination demonstrated tenderness to palpation around his gluteal folds. Computed tomography scan of his abdomen and pelvis demonstrated a large mass in his retroperitoneum. The mass was determined to be squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary origin. Additionally, the patient had small nodules in his right lower lung lobe and right hepatic lobe. The patient was treated with concomitant chemoradiation, including cisplatin and intensity-modulated radiation therapy, followed by carboplatin and paclitaxel. The patient achieved partial remission, in which he remained one year after his presentation. Our case is consistent with the literature which suggests that squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary origin occurring outside of the head and neck region may have a more favorable prognosis than other carcinomas of unknown primary origin. Further studies are necessary to determine the most appropriate work-up, diagnosis, and optimal treatment strategies.

Deep vein thrombosis associated with iliac lymph node metastasis of an unknown primary tumor: report of a case

Secondary deep vein thrombosis associated with iliac lymph node metastasis of an unknown primary tumor has not been previously reported. The patient was a 57-year-old male with persistent right leg edema. Computed tomography demonstrated a mass surrounding the right external iliac vessels, and deep vein thrombosis in the right external iliac and femoral veins. Physical, laboratory, and imaging examinations did not reveal any further tumor. The patient was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis associated with right iliac lymph node metastasis of an unknown primary tumor. Complete resection of the tumor along with the involved vessels and vascular reconstruction was performed.

[Surgical options in cancer of unknown primary (CUP)]

BACKGROUND

Cancer of unknown primary site (CUP) comprises a relatively frequently occurring group of heterogeneous malignant tumors in the clinical routine, which currently has an abysmal prognosis for affected patients. Based on the improved diagnostic tools it is now possible to identify subgroups of patients with different clinical prognoses. New therapies adapted to these identified subgroups are becoming increasingly more relevant.

AIM

This review aims to evaluate the role of surgery and different surgical options in the therapy of patients with CUP.

RESULTS

For the treatment of patients with CUP it is important to identify subgroups of patients with a better prognosis. Surgical resection of CUP metastasis is a therapy option leading to a prolonged survival in (1) women with papillary peritoneal adenocarcinomatosis, (2) women with axillary lymph node metastasis of adenocarcinoma, (3) patients with cervical lymph node metastasis of squamous cell carcinoma, (4) patients with inguinal lymph node metastasis, (5) patients with poorly differentiated carcinomas with midline distribution (e.g. extragonadal germ cell syndrome) and (6) patients with small resectable tumors.

CONCLUSION

Surgery is an important therapy option in different subgroups of patients with CUP. Together with multimodal therapy, adjusted according to the identified most likely origin of the primary tumor, it is possible to prolong patient survival.

Role of definitive radiation therapy in carcinoma of unknown primary in the abdomen and pelvis

OBJECTIVES

Carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP) in the abdomen and pelvis is a heterogeneous group of cancers with no standard treatment. Considered by many to be incurable, these patients are often treated with chemotherapy alone. In this study, we determined the effectiveness of radiation therapy in combination with chemotherapy in patients with CUP in the abdomen and pelvis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Medical records were reviewed for 37 patients with CUP treated with radiation therapy for disease located in the soft tissues and/or nodal basins of the abdomen and pelvis at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer between 2002 and 2009. All patients underwent chemotherapy, either before or concurrent with radiation therapy. Patients were selected for radiation therapy on the basis of histologic type, disease extent, and prior therapy response. Twenty patients underwent definitive radiation therapy (defined as radiation therapy targeting all known disease sites with at least 45 Gy) and 17 patients underwent palliative radiation therapy. Only 6 patients had surgical resection of their disease. Patient and treatment characteristics were extracted and the endpoints of local disease control, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and treatment-related toxicity incidence were analyzed.

RESULTS

The 2-year PFS and OS rates for the entire cohort were 32% and 57%, respectively. However, in patients treated with definitive radiation therapy, the rates were 48% and 76%, and 7 patients lived more than 3 years after treatment with no evidence of disease progression. Nevertheless, radiation-associated toxicity was significant in this cohort, as 40% experienced Grade 2 or higher late toxicities.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of definitive radiation therapy should be considered in selected patients with CUP in the soft tissues or nodal basins of the abdomen and pelvis.

Compressão extrínseca de veia ilíaca externa e edema de membro inferior por cisto sinovial coxofemoral

A trombose venosa profunda (TVP) é uma freqüente causa de edema unilateral de membros inferiores. O cisto sinovial da articulação coxofemoral pode ser uma causa rara desse sintoma e deve ser considerado no diagnóstico diferencial. Apresentamos um caso clínico em que o eco-Doppler colorido revelou a presença de compressão extrínseca da veia ilíaca externa. A ressonância magnética demonstrou tratar-se de cisto sinovial como fator etiológico, confirmado pela ressecção cirúrgica.