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Les entités anatomocliniques des CAPI relevant d’une prise en charge spécifique

Carcinoma of unknown primary: favourable subsets

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Oncologie

Abstract

Carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP) origin is a quite heterogeneous entity with a poor prognosis. It accounts for about 5% of all neoplasms. CUP is defined as a histologically confirmed diagnosis of malignancy in patients with unremarkable medical history, normal physical examination and routine blood tests, and normal computed tomography. Among CUPs, several subsets have been identified as likely to be associated with a better life expectancy after specific treatment. About 15% of CUPs correspond to those specific subtypes: metastatic disease of lymph nodes such as nodal midline distribution, isolated metastases to axillary nodes, cervical involvement with squamous histology or inguinal nodal involvement; peritoneal papillary serous carcinomatosis in women; metastatic neuroendocrine carcinoma; osteoblastic bone metastases with elevated PSA in men; a single metastatic site. Thus, ruling out the primary and recognizing one of these subsets appear necessary in the management of patients with CUP tumours.

Résumé

Les carcinomes de primitif inconnu (CAPI) forment un groupe de tumeurs hétérogènes dont le primitif n’est pas identifié après un bilan clinicobiologique et radiologique. Environ 5 % des cancers sont des CAPI. Ce sont des cancers de mauvais pronostic. Parmi ces CAPI, plusieurs entités ont étéindividualisées qui, grâce à une prise en charge spécifique, ont un meilleur pronostic. Environ 15 % des patients atteints d’un CAPI correspondent à un sous-groupe de bon pronostic. On individualise ainsi des tumeurs avec atteinte ganglionnaire isolée comme les adénopathies axillaires de type adénocarcinome chez une femme, les adénopathies cervicales d’un carcinome épidermoïde, les adénopathies inguinales d’un carcinome épidermoïde, les tumeurs de la ligne médiane ou la carcinose péritonéale papillaire séreuse chez la femme, les tumeurs neuroendocrines, les métastases osseuses chez l’homme avec PSA élevéet les CAPI avec site métastatique unique. La prise en charge initiale d’un CAPI doit donc comprendre dans le même temps une recherche du primitif et une mise en évidence éventuelle d’un de ces sous-groupes.

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Correspondence to A. Plantade.

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Plantade, A., Saban-Roche, L. & Merrouche, Y. Les entités anatomocliniques des CAPI relevant d’une prise en charge spécifique. Oncologie 10, 713–717 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10269-008-0987-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10269-008-0987-z

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