What is cancer of unknown primary?
Cancer occurs when abnormal cells within the body grow in an uncontrolled way. Cancer can form in any of the body’s tissues.
The first cancer that develops is called the primary cancer. Primary cancers can spread to other places in the body, such as lymph nodes or other organs . Cancer that forms from the spread of a primary cancer is called a secondary cancer or a metastasis.
Sometimes, a secondary cancer is found but the primary cancer cannot be found. This is called cancer of unknown primary.
There are several reasons why it may not be possible to find the primary cancer:[1]
- The primary cancer may be too small or slow growing to be easily detected.
- The body’s immune system may have killed the primary cancer.
- The secondary cancer may be ‘hiding’ the primary cancer on scans.
- The primary cancer may already have been removed by surgery for another condition.
- The primary cancer may not have developed a mass (tumour) – a single cancerous cell may have spread, causing the secondary cancer.
Explore statistics on cancer of unknown primary, including the number of new cases, deaths, survival rates, and overall prevalence.
Smoking, older age, poor diet, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, radiation exposure, and family history of cancer are common risk factors associated with an increased likelihood of developing cancer of unknown primary.
Here’s a one-sentence summary of the text: Cancer of unknown primary can cause various symptoms, including lumps, pain, fatigue, and changes in bodily functions. If you experience these symptoms, consult your doctor for assessment.
Doctors may use various tests, including physical exams, blood tests, imaging scans, and biopsies, to diagnose metastatic cancer and identify its primary origin.
Cancer of unknown primary is treated by a team of health professionals and may involve surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, or targeted therapy, depending on the type of cell, spread, symptoms, and test results.
Living with cancer can be challenging, but you can find support from family, friends, health professionals, and cancer support organizations to help you cope with the emotional, physical, and practical issues related to your diagnosis.
Research is ongoing to find new ways to diagnose and treat different types of cancer.
Details for professionals seeking comprehensive information on cancer of unknown primary diagnosis and treatment.
Last updated 20 November 2024
