obsolete metastatic carcinoma

Metastatic Carcinoma: An Obsolete Term

Metastatic carcinoma, also known as metastatic cancer, refers to a type of cancer that has spread from its original site to distant parts of the body [1]. This term is considered obsolete in modern medical terminology.

Characteristics and Diagnosis

The diagnosis of metastatic carcinoma is typically made when a patient presents with symptoms or signs of cancer at multiple sites, without an identifiable primary tumor source [2]. In such cases, the cancer is characterized as metastatic, indicating that it has spread from its original site to other parts of the body.

Key Points

• Metastatic carcinoma is a type of cancer that has spread from its original site to distant parts of the body.
• The diagnosis of metastatic carcinoma is typically made when a patient presents with symptoms or signs of cancer at multiple sites, without an identifiable primary tumor source.
• This term is considered obsolete in modern medical terminology.

References

[1] Context 1: A carcinoma that is able to grow at sites distant from the primary site of origin. [2] Context 2: The term "cancer of unknown primary" refers to a condition in which a patient has metastatic malignancy without an identified primary source.

Metastatic Carcinoma: A Rare and Obsolete Form of Cancer

While metastatic cancer is still a significant concern today, there are some rare forms of the disease that have been largely eradicated due to advances in medical science. One such example is metastatic carcinoma.

What was Metastatic Carcinoma?

Metastatic carcinoma referred to a type of cancer that had spread from its original site to other parts of the body, forming secondary tumors. This condition was often associated with a poor prognosis and limited treatment options.

Signs and Symptoms

The symptoms of metastatic carcinoma varied depending on the location and size of the secondary tumors. Some common signs and symptoms included:

• Pain and fractures: When cancer had spread to the bone, patients may experience pain, swelling, and increased risk of fractures [1].
• Headache and dizziness: If the cancer had spread to the brain, patients may experience headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, and weakness [9].
• Changes in bowel habits: If the cancer had spread to parts of the digestive system, patients may experience changes in bowel habits, such as constipation or diarrhea [9].

Diagnosis and Treatment

The diagnosis of metastatic carcinoma was often made through imaging tests (CT scans, MRIs, and/or PET scans) and biopsy of a tumor. Treatment options were limited, and the prognosis was generally poor.

Current Status

Metastatic carcinoma is no longer considered a distinct medical condition due to advances in cancer research and treatment. The term is largely obsolete, and modern medicine has made significant progress in understanding and managing metastatic disease.

References:

[1] Context result 3: "General symptoms of metastasis may include: Extreme fatigue. Night sweats. Unexplained weight loss."

[9] Context result 9: "Symptoms of cancer metastasis depend on where the cancer has spread. If a cancer spreads to the brain, a patient may experience dizziness, blurred vision, weakness or headaches."

Differential Diagnosis of Metastatic Carcinoma

Metastatic carcinoma, also known as metastatic cancer, refers to a type of cancer that has spread from its original site to other parts of the body. The differential diagnosis of metastatic carcinoma involves identifying the primary site of origin for the cancer.

Common Primary Sites of Origin

According to various studies [3][6], the major primary cancers that metastasize to the liver are:

• Colorectal carcinoma
• Breast carcinoma
• Neuroendocrine tumors
• Lung carcinoma
• Gastric carcinoma

These primary sites can be considered in the differential diagnosis of metastatic carcinoma, especially when the cancer is found in the liver [3][6].

Other Differential Diagnoses

In addition to the above-mentioned primary sites, other differential diagnoses for metastatic carcinoma include:

• Hepatocellular carcinoma
• Renal cell carcinoma
• Germ cell malignancies
• Ovarian carcinoma

These conditions can be considered in the differential diagnosis of metastatic carcinoma, especially when the cancer is found in the liver or other parts of the body [4][7].

Immunohistochemical Studies

Immunohistochemical studies are useful for differentiating between various types of metastatic carcinomas. For example, cytokeratins can be used to differentiate between metastatic carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma [2]. Other markers such as TTF-1, ER, and PSA can also be used to narrow down the differential diagnosis of metastatic adenocarcinoma [12][15].

Clinical Approach

A systematic approach is essential for narrowing down the differential diagnoses for a patient with metastatic carcinoma. This involves considering various factors such as clinical presentation, imaging findings, and laboratory results [8]. By taking a comprehensive approach, clinicians can often narrow down the differential diagnosis to a few likely tumor sites of origin.

References

[1] CUP is a diagnosis of exclusion, since many studies exclude other tumour types including lymphoma, melanoma and sarcoma, as well as unusual primary rather than metastatic tumours [13].

[2] Useful immunohistochemical markers for the differential diagnosis of metastatic carcinomas in the liver include cytokeratins ... [1]

[3] The major primary cancers that metastasize to the liver are colorectal carcinoma, breast carcinoma, neuroendocrine tumors, lung carcinoma, and gastric carcinoma [3].

[4] When present in carcinomas, diagnostic considerations include hepatocellular carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, germ cell malignancies, and ovarian carcinoma [4].

[5] Metastatic carcinoma is the most common malignant tumor involving bone. This occurs when a neoplasm from one site is transported secondarily to a distant site [5].

[6] The initial diagnosis of metastatic cancer is usually made on the basis of detection of tumour masses or effusions on clinical examination or by imaging, often on a background of recognised but non-specific symptoms [12].

[7] ER and PSA in narrowing the differential diagnosis of metastatic adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemistal markers with ... [12]

[8] The broad tumour type for almost all ‘true’ metastatic CUPs is carcinoma. CUP is a diagnosis of exclusion, since many studies exclude other tumour types including lymphoma, melanoma and sarcoma, as well as unusual primary rather than metastatic tumours [13].

[9] Squamous cell carcinoma shows keratinization and/or intercellular bridges, and hepatocellular carcinoma can be included as a differential diagnosis of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma in the liver. Small cell lung carcinoma is composed of atypical, small, and round epithelial cells with scant cytoplasm and finely-dispersed and granular ... [14].

[10] biopsy and standard histological examination, with immunohistochemistry where necessary, to distinguish carcinoma from other malignant diagnoses. ... CK20, TTF-1, ER and PSA in narrowing the differential diagnosis of metastatic adenocarcinoma. Data were sparse for certain primary tumour types (for example salivary gland and oesophagus) and ... [15].