LYMPH-NODE METASTASES OF THE HEAD AND NEC K FROM UNKNOWN PRIMARY TUMORS - CLINICAL COURSE IN 58 PATIENTS

Fifty-eight patients presenting with lymph node metastases of the head and neck were treated at the Bremen ENT Clinic from 1970 to 1988. In none of the patients could a primary tumor be detected despite extensi ve diagnostic procedures. The 5-year survival rate was 26.3%. During t he further course of the disease, six primary tumors were detected in the following areas: nasopharynx (2 cases), soft palate, oesophagus, b ronchi and kidney. Prognosis decreased with increasing tumor stages, a lthough histological grading had no influence on prognosis. Supraclavi cular localization and male sex were high risk factors. Prognosis was also not improved when ampiric irradiation also included the pharynx a s a possible site of the primary tumor.