[Malignant cervical epithelial adenopathy from unknown primary source. Apropos of a series of 54 cases]

Fifty four patients with cervical lymph node metastasis from an unknown primary tumor underwent treatment from 1969 to 1988. Fourty five underwent radical neck dissection. 69% had node capsular effraction and 36% perinodal vascular embolism. Thirty four patients underwent postoperative radiotherapy including rhinopharynx, cervical oesophagus and all the bilateral cervical nodes. The primary tumor appeared after treatment in 7 cases. Total survival rate is 36% 5 years after treatment. Vascular embolism aggravates the prognosis. Radiosurgical association allow effective control of loco-regional cancer but does not improve survival rate. Prognosis is aggravated by metastases arising (18%).