Occult primary malignancies

Occult primary malignancies (OPMs) are the eighth most common cancer in the United States. Generally, the prognosis is poor, with survival usually lasting two to four months from the time of diagnosis. The primary tumor will never be found in more than half of the patients, even after an exhaustive diagnostic workup and eventual autopsy. The majority of these tumors are metastatic at the time of diagnosis; therefore, therapy is palliative. Nursing implications include providing symptom management, psychological support, and patient education.