Prognostic factors and survival in patients with squamous cell carcinoma lymph nodes metastases from an unknown primary to the head and neck

Purpose: To analyze the clinicopathological characteristics, treatment modalities, and potential prognostic factors of cancer of unknown primary tumor (CUP) in a consecutivegroup cases. Methods: This retrospective study enrolled consecutive patients who were admitted to the Sun Yat-senUniversity Cancer Center between 1980 and 2011. Results: The key prognostic factors influencing the survival were the lymph nodes extracapsular extension (ECE), N classification, recurrence, emergence of primary tumor and treatment modalities. Multivariate analysis revealed that N classification and recurrence were independent risk factor for patient survival. Conclusions: N classification and recurrence were independent prognostic factor that influenced the treatment outcome. Our data indicate that combined surgery and postoperative radiotherapy for CUP offers the best chance for long-term survival.