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Cancer of Unknown Primary
About the condition
The place where a cancer starts growing is called the primary site. If the cancer is not treated, cells from this primary site can break away and spread to other parts of the body. These escaped cells can then form other cancers, which are known as secondary cancers or metastases.
Usually it is easy to find the primary cancer, as it will either cause symptoms or be seen on a scan. Sometimes secondary cancers are found in one or more parts of the body, but the primary site cannot be found. This is called cancer of unknown primary (CUP).
There are different reasons why a primary cancer can’t always be found:
- It may be too small to be picked up on scans or be hidden beside a larger secondary cancer
- It might have disappeared, even though it has spread to other parts of the body. This can sometimes happen if the body’s immune system has successfully got rid of it
- It might have been passed out of the body. e.g. a small cancer in the wall of the bowel may become detached and leave the body in the stools.
Cancer of unknown primary (CUP) affects about 3-5% of people with cancer.
People with CUP are usually over 60, and often have more than one secondary cancer.
Symptoms
Symptoms of CUP vary depending on where the secondary cancer(s) are.
General symptoms can include:
- unexplained weight loss
- loss of appetite
- feeling extremely tired all the time
- looking pale, feeling tired and breathless due to a lack of red blood cells (anaemia)
If any of these symptoms apply to you or if you have any concerns about similar symptoms, see your doctor. Alternatively you can book an appointment with one of our specialists by completing this form online or by calling 020 8247 3351.
Treatment
At CCL, patients with CUP are treated by a team of different specialists, called a multidisciplinary team. This team works together to create a treatment plan to suit the individual needs of the patient.
The main treatment for CUP is chemotherapy.
Other treatments include:
- Radiotherapy
- Hormonal therapies are occasionally used to treat CUP if you have a cancer with hormone receptors. They work by reducing certain hormones or preventing them from stimulating cancer cells to grow. They are commonly used to treat breast and prostate cancer and can also be used to treat cancer of the womb, ovaries or kidneys.
- Biotherapy, which is the use of newer and more targeted therapies to assist the body in fighting the disease.
Supportive or palliative care with medicines to control your symptoms is an important part of treatment for people with CUP. If the cancer is very advanced, palliative care on its own may be recommended.
At CCL, our multidisciplinary team will be available to advise you on the best treatment.
Support Services
When a diagnosis of CUP is confirmed it can be hard to accept that even with tests, the primary cancer still can’t be found. Reactions vary hugely from person to person, and most people find that it becomes easier to cope when they’re given additional support, so that’s what we provide.
We offer a wide range of services for patients, as well as their loved ones, designed to make a very difficult time as easy as possible, and to give our patients the best treatment and support possible. Our support services include a specialist counselling, specialist physiotherapy, group sessions and much more. You can find the full range of our support services here.
We’ll be with you every step of the way.
Book now
If you have any questions about CUP or would like to book an appointment with one of our CUP specialists, complete this form online or call 020 8247 3351.