What are tumors of unknown origin?
Tumors of unknown origin are microscopic and are hidden in such a way that currently available diagnostic tests cannot discover them. They are very aggressive and when they can be detected it is because they have already metastasized and spread to other tissues. These cases represent 5% of diagnosed tumors, and affect men and women equally, at the average age of 60 years.
What symptoms do tumors of unknown origin cause?
They are usually asymptomatic at first, the signs that are detected usually come from the organs or tissues where they have metastasized. Symptomatology does not help to detect the origin of the tumor. Some of the warning signs of a tumor are the following:
- Thickening of some part of the body.
- Pain in a part of the body that does not go away.
- Cough or hoarse voice that does not go away.
- Loss of weight or appetite
- Night sweats
- Unusual bleeding or discharge
Causes of tumors of unknown origin
The creation of these tumors will vary depending on the patient, the organ affected and the type of cells that form the tumor. The cells that usually form these tumors are:
- Adenocarcinoma: these make up 70% of tumors of unknown origin, are formed by the body’s glands and usually affect the pancreas, lungs and bile duct.
- Poorly differentiated carcinoma: these represent 20% of tumors of unknown origin and do not know what type of cell they are.
- Squamous cell or epidermoid cell carcinoma: these are created by cells that form the skin and usually affect the mouth, larynx, pharynx, lung and male and female genital tract.
- Neuroendocrine carcinoma: the incidence of these is less than 5% of tumors of unknown origin, and are formed by the creation of hormones in response to orders from the nervous system. They usually affect the pancreas, digestive tract and lungs.
- Germinal tumors: these are the most curable, as they are known to come from reproductive organs such as the ovaries or testicles.
Prevention of tumors of unknown origin
Currently, we are still studying ways to prevent the creation of this type of tumors or to be able to detect them in their earliest stage, as well as if there are genetic components that may indicate a predisposition to them.
Treatment of tumors of unknown origin
Tumors of unknown origin are treated using the usual cancer techniques, such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Knowing the origin of the cancer or primary cancer is essential for a better approach to treatment.