HELP❗Cancer with an unknown primary site❗

There are symptoms that appear before a diagnosis is made

First, there were petechiae and subcutaneous hemorrhages. They appeared for no apparent reason and began to worsen over time. This was a warning sign that required medical evaluation.

Marek had previously been treated for a skin cancer on his nose. The lesion was surgically removed, followed by brachytherapy. The treatment was completed, but further symptoms appeared some time later.

The investigation does not point to a single source

In May 2023, a detailed diagnostic workup was performed, including a bone marrow trephine biopsy. A neoplasm of the hematopoietic and lymphatic systems of undetermined nature and myelodysplastic syndrome were diagnosed.

Further tests revealed enlarged lymph nodes and the presence of tumor infiltrates. A PET-CT scan confirmed the spread of squamous cell carcinoma to the lymph nodes; however, the primary site could not be identified.

This means that treatment cannot be focused on a single cause of the disease.

Subsequent stages provide new information, but they do not conclude the process

In January 2024, a lymph node was surgically removed. The examination confirmed the presence of tumor emboli in the lymphatic vessels.

Radiotherapy was administered in the following months . Further diagnoses indicating metastases emerged, including urothelial carcinoma, with no primary site still identifiable.

A PET scan performed in October 2025 revealed further spread of the cancer, this time to the retroperitoneal lymph nodes. In January 2026, another course of radiation therapy was administered, targeting the lymph nodes affected by metastases.

The body requires constant support to maintain its functions

Starting in early 2025 , regular blood transfusions will be necessary, performed every few weeks. Anemia causes increasing weakness and limits daily functioning.

This treatment does not stop the disease, but it helps maintain the body's vital functions.

The illness affects every aspect of life

Marek quit his job. His weakness, limited mobility, and frequent hospital stays make it impossible for him to resume his previous level of activity. His wife takes care of him while also caring for her bedridden mother, who is unable to care for herself. This daily routine requires constant presence and dedication.

The hardest part is that there is no single answer

The inability to identify the primary site means that there is no single, clearly defined course of treatment. This leads to uncertainty about the disease’s future progression and the risk of further metastases. It is a situation that is difficult to manage.

Despite this, life doesn't come to a complete standstill

Marek still reflects on what was important to him. Travel and his interest in architecture were his way of experiencing the world and making sense of it. Today, those experiences have taken on a new dimension.

In this situation, the most important thing is to ensure that treatment remains an option

Regular hospital visits, tests, and blood transfusions are a constant part of daily life. The treatment is ongoing and requires consistency.