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Updated: Sep 30, 2026
A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model
Published on: May 18, 2018
Diagnosis, workup, and prognosis of cutaneous metastases of unknown primary origin
Maria C Carroll1, Matthew Fleming, Christopher R Chitambar
1Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226, USA.
Background:
Metastatic cancer of unknown primary (MCUP) accounts for 5-10% of presenting oncology patients. Premorbid identification of the primary source occurs in only 20-25% of cases. A small fraction of these tumors present in the skin and are thus likely to be encountered by dermatologists and dermatologic surgeons.
Objective:
To present a practical schema for the diagnosis and evaluation of patients with MCUP.
Methods:
Case report and literature review.
Conclusion:
The diagnosis of MCUP is associated with a poor prognosis, with median survival rates of less than 1 year. Efforts to identify subgroups of patients with understanding of these subgroups will enable early identification of patients with treatable disease and more favorable prognoses.
