Cancer of unknown primary site: a review of 28 cases and the efficacy of cisplatin/docetaxel therapy at a single institute in Japan

Acta Med Okayama. 2010 Oct;64(5):285-91. doi: 10.18926/AMO/40503.

Abstract

We evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of cisplatin/docetaxel (CDDP/TXT) chemotherapy and identified prognostic factors in Japanese patients with cancer of unknown primary site (CUP). Twenty-eight consecutive patients seen at a single institute were reviewed retrospectively. Sixteen patients were treated with TXT 80 mg/m2, followed by CDDP 75 mg/m2. The overall response rate to CDDP/TXT treatment was 62.5%, with a median survival time (MST) of 22.7 months. Common adverse reactions were myelosuppression and hyponatremia. The MST of all 28 patients with CUP was 8.3 months, and the 1-year overall survival rate was 45.6%. Univariate analysis identified 5 prognostic factors:performance status, liver involvement, bone involvement, pleural involvement, and lymph node involvement. In conclusion, CDDP/TXT chemotherapy is effective with tolerable toxicity in patients with CUP. Japanese patients with CUP might be chemosensitive and may survive longer.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cisplatin / adverse effects
  • Cisplatin / therapeutic use*
  • Docetaxel
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyponatremia / chemically induced
  • Japan
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / diagnosis
  • Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / mortality
  • Prognosis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Survival Rate
  • Taxoids / adverse effects
  • Taxoids / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Taxoids
  • Docetaxel
  • Cisplatin