Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Intratumoral Injection of Cisplatin for the Treatment of Isolated Mediastinal Recurrence of Lung Cancer
Published on: February 12, 2017
Long-term remission in a patient with carcinoma of unknown primary site
K Jentsch-Ullrich1, T Kalinski, A Roessner
1Department of Hematology and Oncology, Magdeburg University, Germany. Kathleen.Jentsch@Medizin.Uni-Magdeburg.de
Background:
Cancer of unknown primary site also designated as CUP syndrome usually presents as metastatic disease with a poor prognosis and low remission as well as survival rates.
Case:
We report a 46-year-old male with para-aortal and left-sided cervical lymph node metastases. Histological examination of a cervical lymph node revealed papillary carcinoma. Despite thorough investigation, no primary tumor was found. The patient was empirically treated with six courses of the FACP regimen (5-fluorouracil, Adriamycin, cyclophosphamide and cisplatin) combined with radiotherapy (40 Gy) and has remained in complete remission for 124 months.
Conclusion:
This case indicates that treatment of a patient with cancer of unknown primary site may be rewarded by a benign course. However, complete cure remains a very rare event in CUP. Remission can be achieved with a platinum-containing regimen combined with radiotherapy.
