Cancer of unknown primary (CUP)

Patient Information Leaflet

What is the Cancer of Unknown Primary?

• Cancer of Unknown Primary (CUP) means that a person has cancer, but the doctors do not know where it started in the body.
• Usually when cancer spreads to other parts of the body, doctors can find out where the cancer first started (the "primary cancer").
• With CUP, even after thorough tests, doctors are unable to find the original location of the cancer.

Why can't doctors always find the "primary cancer"?

• The original cancer may be too small to be seen in scans.
• The original cancer may be hidden by the spread of the cancer.
• The body's immune system might have successfully destroyed the original cancer, but the spread of the cancer continues.
• The original cancer may have been very small and completely disappeared.

What are the symptoms of CUP?

• Symptoms can vary greatly depending on which part of the body is affected.
• In some cases, CUP may not cause any obvious symptoms at all.

How is CUP diagnosed?

• Doctors will conduct a thorough medical history and physical examination. You may also have various tests, such as:

  • Scans: (Computed Tomography (CT) scan, Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan) to look for other locations where cancer may have spread.

  • Blood tests: to check for certain markers that may reveal the type of cancer.

  • Biopsy (a small piece of bodily tissue is taken) for examination under a microscope.

  • Other procedures: (for example: endoscopy, colonoscopy) to examine internal organs.

What is the treatment for CUP?

• The treatment for CUP aims to control the cancer, manage symptoms, and to improve quality of life.

• Treatment options may include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy and/or targeted therapies.

What is the role of the Palliative Care Team?

• Palliative care focuses on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life for people with serious illnesses like cancer.
• Early involvement of the palliative care team can provide you and your family with important support to help you manage the challenges of living with cancer in the community.

Your Oncologist is:

Dr

Your Keyworker is:

• Name:
  Contact Number: 07826 970 128 (Monday to Friday 9:00AM - 5:00PM)

Other contact numbers:

Chemotherapy Unit Receptionist (for chemotherapy appointments and access to chemotherapy nurses for treatment advice): 020 7288 3912.
Oncology Pathway Coordinator (for oncology clinic appointments): 020 7288 5831

Further Information:

The Macmillan Information Centre is in the main foyer of the Whittington Hospital.