[Occult carcinoma in urology. Nosography and diagnosis]

The term "unknown carcinoma" may be referred to any tumour that is not revealed by clinical examination or by routine diagnostic measures; the same term can indicate metastases whose source remains unknown until revealed by autopsy. The definition of the tumour histotype is mandatory for a correct choice of curative or a palliative treatment; therefore, a recognition of primary tumour should be cunningly aimed at. With regard to imaging diagnostics, some highly paramagnetic molecules for RM will shortly be available; with regard to nuclear medicine, some gamma-releasing immuno-specific markers reacting with tumour-associated antigens are also made available. Laboratory advances nowadays afford a better definition of biopsy samples, namely monoclonal antibodies versus cytospecific antigens and/or tumour-associated antigens; immuno-histochemical markers, such as anti-AFP and anti-HCG monoclonals, that detect the testicular source (germinal tumours) of a highly undifferentiated retroperitoneal mass; etc. It seems therefore possible the foresee a reduction in the incidence of "unknown" carcinomas.