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Gastrointestinal Cancer Educational Case Series: Management of Metastatic Adenocarcinoma of Unknown Primary Origin in a Ph+ ALL Survivor

  • MGMT. OF COMPLEX CASES IN GI ONCOLOGY
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Abstract

Introduction

Secondary malignancies and chronic end-organ sequelae are significant and steadily rising consequences of cancer therapy. The workup and management of a carcinoma of unknown primary must consider the patient’s clinical presentation, radiologic and pathologic findings, and comorbidities.

Case Report

We present the case of a 50-year-old female survivor of Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) with significant treatment-related end-organ sequelae who developed a metastatic adenocarcinoma of unknown primary 15 years following curative therapy for her ALL. The complex management issues related to the investigations and choice of therapy for this patient are reviewed.

Discussion

This case discusses key issues related to the workup and management of a carcinoma of unknown primary. In addition, it illustrates the importance of taking patient comorbidities into consideration and tailoring investigations and therapy accordingly.

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Acknowledgements

This case was presented at the MSKCC/American University of Beirut Gastrointestinal Cancer Conference on September 22, 2010 and was supported by the endowment gift of Mrs. Mamdouha El-Sayed Bobst and the Bobst Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA

    Celina Ang, Eileen M. O’Reilly, Ghassan K. Abou-Alfa, Maeve Lowery & Manish A. Shah

  2. American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon

    Ali Shamseddine, Hadi Skouri, Ayman Tawil, Mohamad A. Eloubeidi, Mohamed Kharfan-Dabaja, Tania Kaprealian, Sally Temraz, Hassan Sibai & Hassan Farran

  3. Department of Medicine, Gastrointestinal Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA

    Eileen M. O’Reilly

Authors
  1. Celina Ang
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  2. Eileen M. O’Reilly
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  3. Ghassan K. Abou-Alfa
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  4. Ali Shamseddine
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  5. Hadi Skouri
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  6. Ayman Tawil
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  7. Mohamad A. Eloubeidi
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  8. Maeve Lowery
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  9. Mohamed Kharfan-Dabaja
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  10. Tania Kaprealian
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  11. Sally Temraz
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  12. Hassan Sibai
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  13. Hassan Farran
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  14. Manish A. Shah
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Eileen M. O’Reilly.

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Ang, C., O’Reilly, E.M., Abou-Alfa, G.K. et al. Gastrointestinal Cancer Educational Case Series: Management of Metastatic Adenocarcinoma of Unknown Primary Origin in a Ph+ ALL Survivor. J Gastrointest Canc 42, 165–170 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12029-010-9233-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12029-010-9233-1

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