UNKNOWN PRIMARY – PART 2
You will remember from the last chapter that the crucial step in diagnosis of cancer, is to get a sample of the suspicious area for examination under the microscope. This is also true for people with probable secondary deposits and unknown primary. Examination of such a sample is usually necessary to confirm the diagnosis of cancer. In addition, by studying the shape, size, type and arrangement of cells from the secondary growth, the pathologist can often suggest likely primary sites. In deciding what further tests^ to recommend your doctor should consider the appearance and location of the secondary deposits, common cancer types for your age and sex and what treatments might be possible as well as the pathologist’ advice. Once you have ruled out primary cancers which are sensitive to certain particular hormone, chemotherapy or other treatments which go right through the body, there is rarely anything to be gained by searching further for the primary tumour. It may reveal itself later by producing symptoms which can then be dealt with. However, in some cases the primary cancer never causes any problems and is not located before death results from the effects of the secondary growths.
Well, that wasn’t such a difficult or unpleasant chapter, was it? You now have enough background to start thinking about treatment. First of all, it is important for you to understand why certain treatments are recommended. It is also important to understand what sorts of things you will need to know in order to decide whether what is recommended is likely to be best for you. This is what the next chapter is about. It is an extremely important chapter. Don’t miss it.
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