Incidence of occult primary-their diagnosis and non surgical management.

Twenty one (16.5%) cases of Occult primary (18 males and 3 females) were analysed out of 121 cases of secondaries in the neck regarding their diagnosis and non-surgical management over a period of six years, from March, 1990 to Feb., 1996 in the department of ENT and Radiotherapy of I.G.M.C. and Hospital Shimla. Majority of these cases were in the age group of 50-70 years and 95% of these cases had squamous cell carcinoma and in one case there was adenocarcinoma. 12 (57%) of these patients were in N3 stage. 13 patients were treated by radiotherapy, 3 by chemotherapy whereas remaining 5 cases absconded and therefore no treatment could be given to them.