Cancer (adenocarcinoma) of unknow primary - need info.
Quote:
> Hello all.
> This has been a moving target for me. My father was diagnosed with cancer
2
> weeks ago & my postings to the newsgroups have been a great help in
gaining
> information, knowledge & receiving emotional support. The doctors have
told
> us many things in the last two weeks, used different names, eliminated
some
> cancers & included others.
> My father goes in on Monday for the last of testing - I don't think there
> are any more tests that can be done - he's been scoped, biopsied, and
> tested everywhere. I am told that the primary cancer may never be found &
> that if it isn't they will use a drug called Platinum in chemotherapy
> because adenocarcinomas respond reasonably well to Platinum. I am told
that
> ideally they would like to find a primary because the effectiveness of
> treatment will go up if they know what they're treating.
Unfortunately, there is a law of diminishing returns with investigations in
this situation. If a history and physical and some basic investigations fail
to find the primary site, it is unlikely to be found.
Unfortunately, it is also true that for most patients with metastatic
disease from unknown primary sites, finding the primary will not make the
effectiveness of the treatment any better. The only adenocarcinomas in which
discovering the primary site may make a difference to treatment are
prostate, {*filter*}, and a germ cell tumour masquerading as an adeno. They will
certainly have done the investigations to exclude these.
Quote:
> Does anyone have any experience with this? Platinum? Unknown primary?
> Does anyone know of any hospitals (anywhere) that specialize in finding
> unknown primaries? Is there any advice that someone may have? I am told
> that the prognosis at this point is pretty bad & my research into the
> subject confirms this - does anyone have any positive experiences to
share?
Platinum chemo is a very common approach in these circumstances.
Unfortunately, there is no evidence that it improves survival. The real
issue is whether it will improve quality of life, not quantity. This largely
depends on your father's symptoms.
Quote:
> Anything that you think may help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks a
> million.
> Michael.
