Skip to main content
Journal cover image

Metastatic adenocarcinoma to the neck from an unknown primary source.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Lee, NK; Byers, RM; Abbruzzese, JL; Wolf, P
Published in: Am J Surg
October 1991

We report a retrospective review of 223 patients who presented to the Department of Head and Neck Surgery from 1970 through 1987 with a diagnosis of metastatic adenocarcinoma of unknown primary origin. Multivariate analysis was performed using the following parameters: age, sex, initial side and site of nodal involvement, involvement of other body sites, degree of differentiation, treatment modality, outcome, and survival. Follow-up was obtained in all patients, with a minimum of 2 years for survivors. Average age was 55 years, with an approximately equal male:female ratio. The most common site of presentation was the supraclavicular fossa (76%). The initial side of presentation was the left neck in 53% of patients, right neck in 33%, and bilateral in 14%. Metastatic disease to other body sites was present in 86% of patients, with the most common sites being mediastinum (35%), lung (21%), and bones (19%). Increased survival was associated with unilateral neck involvement (p = 0.001) and disease limited to nodes above the cricoid cartilage (p = 0.007). Mean survival was 17 months, with a median of 8 months. Death was due to the index cancer in all but four patients; three of these four patients died of treatment-related causes. Survival was 20% at 2 years and 9% at 5 years. Length of survival was not affected by age, sex, initial side of neck disease, location of other metastatic sites, histologic appearance, or treatment modality. Our current algorithm for the work-up and treatment of this lethal disease is explained.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Am J Surg

DOI

ISSN

0002-9610

Publication Date

October 1991

Volume

162

Issue

4

Start / End Page

306 / 309

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Survival Rate
  • Survival Analysis
  • Surgery
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Neoplasms, Unknown Primary
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Humans
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Lee, N. K., Byers, R. M., Abbruzzese, J. L., & Wolf, P. (1991). Metastatic adenocarcinoma to the neck from an unknown primary source. Am J Surg, 162(4), 306–309. https://doi.org/10.1016/0002-9610(91)90137-3
Lee, N. K., R. M. Byers, J. L. Abbruzzese, and P. Wolf. “Metastatic adenocarcinoma to the neck from an unknown primary source.Am J Surg 162, no. 4 (October 1991): 306–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/0002-9610(91)90137-3.
Lee NK, Byers RM, Abbruzzese JL, Wolf P. Metastatic adenocarcinoma to the neck from an unknown primary source. Am J Surg. 1991 Oct;162(4):306–9.
Lee, N. K., et al. “Metastatic adenocarcinoma to the neck from an unknown primary source.Am J Surg, vol. 162, no. 4, Oct. 1991, pp. 306–09. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/0002-9610(91)90137-3.
Lee NK, Byers RM, Abbruzzese JL, Wolf P. Metastatic adenocarcinoma to the neck from an unknown primary source. Am J Surg. 1991 Oct;162(4):306–309.
Journal cover image

Published In

Am J Surg

DOI

ISSN

0002-9610

Publication Date

October 1991

Volume

162

Issue

4

Start / End Page

306 / 309

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Survival Rate
  • Survival Analysis
  • Surgery
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Neoplasms, Unknown Primary
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Humans