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Carcinoma of an unknown primary site: a chemotherapy strategy based on histological differentiation--results of a prospective study.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Saghatchian, M; Fizazi, K; Borel, C; Ducreux, M; Ruffié, P; Le Chevalier, T; Théodore, C
Published in: Ann Oncol
April 2001

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of a chemotherapy strategy based on histological differentiation, for patients with carcinoma of unknown primary site. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-eight patients were prospectively included in the trial. Thirty patients with poorly-differentiated carcinoma or poorly-differentiated adenocarcinoma (group A) received a combination of cisplatin and etoposide. Patients with a responsive or stable disease after two cycles received the same regimen plus bleomycin, ifosfamide and G-CSF. Eighteen patients with well- or moderately-differentiated carcinoma (group B) received cisplatin, continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and alpha-interferon. Treatment was maintained in case of response or stable disease for up to six cycles. RESULTS: The overall response rate (RR) for the entire group is 43% (95% confidence interval (CI): 35.9%-50.1%): seven CR and five PR in group A (RR = 40%) and six CR and two PR in group B (RR = 44%). Grade 4 leucopenia was observed in 22 (46%) patients and sepsis in 3 (6%). Median survival is 9.4 months (range 5-13.7 months) and 16.1 months (range 11.8 20.3 months), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This chemotherapy strategy is one way to achieve high response rates, particularly for patients with well- or moderately-differentiated adenocarcinoma usually considered poorly chemosensitive.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Ann Oncol

DOI

ISSN

0923-7534

Publication Date

April 2001

Volume

12

Issue

4

Start / End Page

535 / 540

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Prospective Studies
  • Oncology & Carcinogenesis
  • Neoplasms, Unknown Primary
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Ifosfamide
  • Humans
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor
  • Fluorouracil
 

Citation

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Chicago
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MLA
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Saghatchian, M., Fizazi, K., Borel, C., Ducreux, M., Ruffié, P., Le Chevalier, T., & Théodore, C. (2001). Carcinoma of an unknown primary site: a chemotherapy strategy based on histological differentiation--results of a prospective study. Ann Oncol, 12(4), 535–540. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1011129429499
Saghatchian, M., K. Fizazi, C. Borel, M. Ducreux, P. Ruffié, T. Le Chevalier, and C. Théodore. “Carcinoma of an unknown primary site: a chemotherapy strategy based on histological differentiation--results of a prospective study.Ann Oncol 12, no. 4 (April 2001): 535–40. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1011129429499.
Saghatchian M, Fizazi K, Borel C, Ducreux M, Ruffié P, Le Chevalier T, et al. Carcinoma of an unknown primary site: a chemotherapy strategy based on histological differentiation--results of a prospective study. Ann Oncol. 2001 Apr;12(4):535–40.
Saghatchian, M., et al. “Carcinoma of an unknown primary site: a chemotherapy strategy based on histological differentiation--results of a prospective study.Ann Oncol, vol. 12, no. 4, Apr. 2001, pp. 535–40. Pubmed, doi:10.1023/a:1011129429499.
Saghatchian M, Fizazi K, Borel C, Ducreux M, Ruffié P, Le Chevalier T, Théodore C. Carcinoma of an unknown primary site: a chemotherapy strategy based on histological differentiation--results of a prospective study. Ann Oncol. 2001 Apr;12(4):535–540.
Journal cover image

Published In

Ann Oncol

DOI

ISSN

0923-7534

Publication Date

April 2001

Volume

12

Issue

4

Start / End Page

535 / 540

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Prospective Studies
  • Oncology & Carcinogenesis
  • Neoplasms, Unknown Primary
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Ifosfamide
  • Humans
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor
  • Fluorouracil