What Are the Treatments for Undifferentiated Cancer?

According to the National Cancer Institute, undifferentiated cancers tend to be primitive and fast-growing, making prompt treatment very important. If you have been diagnosed with undifferentiated cancer, it's important to come up with a plan of action quickly.

Identification

Undifferentiated cancer may exist in many parts of the body. The growths do not resemble the cells of the tissue in the same area and instead have few defining characteristics, leading to the name "undifferentiated."

Types

Undifferentiated cancer has not been classified as a particular type of cancer yet, but undifferentiated cell growths are commonly found in relation to lung, ovarian, nasal, gastric and colon cancers. An undifferentiated sarcoma---in connective tissue or the bloodstream---may be anaplastic, or primitive in nature.

Treatment

Conventional treatment for undifferentiated cancer will vary, depending on its location in the body and other factors. Radiation and chemotherapy may be prescribed as a means of shrinking the size of the cancer cells. If a tumor is present, it may be removed through surgery.

Considerations

Many cases of undifferentiated cancer are classified as another type of cancer, depending on what part of the body the cells originated in. Your doctor may recommend a treatment regimen in line with other diagnoses.

Prognosis

Undifferentiated cancer is often aggressive and easily spreads to other parts of the body. According to the Women's Cancer Center, the five-year survival rate for undifferentiated ovarian cancer is poor in comparison to other types of ovarian cancer.

References

• "National Cancer Institute, Dictionary of Cancer Terms: Undifferentiated"
• "Women's Cancer Information Center: Ovary"; Jeffrey L. Stern; 2007

Resources

• "American Cancer Society: Cancer Survivors Network"