[Neoplasms with unknown primary location]. / Neoplasie a sede primitiva ignota.

Neoplasms with unknown primary location (U.P.L.N.) represent an important chapter of oncological pathology which has not yet been completely defined regarding diagnostics, therapy and prognosis. U.P.L.N. recur in clinical practice in 0.5%-10% of cases and show equal sharing in both sexes: still mortality is high. This is in agreement with the biological behavior of U.P.L.N. which is that of a neoplastic illness, systemic from the onset and therefore immediately aggressive. Treatments commonly used only slightly alter the course of the disease. If the general state of the patients allows it, treatment must include every available therapeutical remedy (CHR, RDT, CHM) conveniently evaluated in every single case and preferably under the guidance of the apparent histotype and of the onset seat. The histotype of an U.P.L.N. sensibly affects the prognosis of the patient: there is an improvement in well differentiated and lodged forms and conversely, there is a sharp impairment with fast evolution in the less differentiated and variably metastasized forms. In our case-report, the U.P.L.N. rate has been 5.37% on 1786 cancer diagnoses from February 1980 until January 1988. In 65% of these cases, the histotype sustaining the pathology was represented by adenocarcinoma, in 21% by epidermoid carcinoma and in the remaining 14% by undifferentiated carcinoma. The clinical onset most frequently observed has involved the lymph nodes, followed by involvement of the serosa, bones, lungs and liver. Complex therapeutic treatments have not provided clear results, but the use of anthracyclines and cyclophosphamide seems promising. Finally, we suggest the use of immunomodulators (such as interferons, thymus hormone, lymphokines) in association with the classic chemotherapeutics.

[Clinical contribution to the knowledge of retroperitoneal tumors of the pelvic excavation]. / Contributo clinico alla conoscenza dei tumori retroperitoneali dello scavo pelvico.

Two cases of primitive retroperitoneal tumors of the pelvic excavation have been reported: a neurinosarcoma and a liposarcoma. Particular, this work emphasizes the rarity of the neurinosarcoma in that seat, the atypical clinical presentation, the complex diagnostic researches performed and the problems of the differential diagnosis. In the diagnosis of these neoplasms, the Authors emphasize, the main role performed by the "classic" radiology and its most recently acquired means as (ECO, TAC, EMR). These can give precise informations about the seat and the size of the neoplasms and especially, about it's relationship with the adjacent tissues. By using these new means, other examinations some what dangerous, can be avoided. The Authors conclude that from the therapeutical point of view, surgery is still the main weapon against these neoplasms, even if sometimes it is demolishing and does not sensibly improve the prognosis. Surgery can be associated with radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy.