[Neck lymph node metastases from an unknown primary tumor]

Abstract

During a period of 12 years, a total of 203 patients with lymph node metastases in the neck were referred. At the conclusion of the programme of investigation, the primary tumours remained undiagnosed in 37 patients. The primary tumours were diagnosed in 18 patients, ten of these were alive. The primary tumours were most commonly localized in the head and neck region with the possibility for curative treatment. Patients with small metastases experienced good effects from regional treatment in the form of cervical dissection and radiotherapy with a five-year crude survival of 53%