Abstract |
We carried out a retrospective review of the medical records of patients with metastatic carcinoma of unknown primary and either raised alpha fetoprotein (AFP) or beta human chorionic gonadotrophin (beta HCG) over a period of 6 years at three teaching hospital oncology units to assess response to platinum based chemotherapy. 15 patients were identified who fitted these criteria. Of these, 3 received no treatment because of poor functional status, 2 patients received only radiotherapy for symptomatic disease and died within 3 months of diagnosis and 1 patient died 2 weeks after diagnosis having received his first cycle of cisplatin-based chemotherapy. 9 patients received at least 2 cycles of chemotherapy. A complete tumour response was seen in only one patient who presented with midline lymphadenopathy and remains disease-free 46 months after treatment. This presentation was consistent with disease already known to herald platinum sensitivity. In the other 8 patients, there was only one partial response that lasted 2 months. The median survival for this group of 9 patients was 4.5 months (range 3 to > 46 months). Our data do not support the postulate that elevated germ cell markers in patients with carcinoma of unknown primary predict a response to cisplatin based chemotherapy.
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Authors | D C Currow, M Findlay, K Cox, P R Harnett |
Journal | European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990)
(Eur J Cancer)
Vol. 32A
Issue 13
Pg. 2357-9
(Dec 1996)
ISSN: 0959-8049 [Print] England |
PMID | 9038622
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Antineoplastic Agents
- Biomarkers, Tumor
- Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human
- Platinum Compounds
- alpha-Fetoproteins
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Topics |
- Adult
- Antineoplastic Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Biomarkers, Tumor
(blood)
- Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human
(blood)
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Neoplasms, Unknown Primary
(blood, drug therapy)
- Platinum Compounds
(therapeutic use)
- Prognosis
- Retrospective Studies
- Treatment Outcome
- alpha-Fetoproteins
(analysis)
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