Treatments for cancer of unknown primary
Last medical review:
Your healthcare team will create a treatment plan just for you. The plan is based on your health and specific information about the cancer. What you want is also important when planning treatment. When deciding which treatments to offer for cancer of unknown primary (CUP), your healthcare team will consider:
- where and how many different places cancer is found
- where the cancer may have started (called the primary site)
- the type of CUP
- your overall health
- how well your body can cope with certain treatments and their side effects
- your
performance status - what you prefer or want
Treatments by where cancer of unknown primary is found and where it may have started
Treatments for cancer of unknown primary (CUP) may be based on where cancer is found and where it may have started.
Treatments for extragonadal germ cell tumours of unknown primary
Extragonadal germ cell tumours of unknown primary are usually treated with chemotherapy.
Treatments for neuroendocrine carcinoma of unknown primary
Neuroendocrine carcinoma of unknown primary (neuroendocrine CUP) is often treated with chemotherapy. Somatostatin analogues and targeted therapy may also be used.
Treatments for melanoma of unknown primary
Melanoma of unknown primary is usually treated with surgery.
Treatments for undifferentiated carcinoma of unknown primary
Undifferentiated carcinoma of unknown primary (undifferentiated CUP) is treated with chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy for cancer of unknown primary
Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. Cancer of unknown primary (CUP) is usually treated with chemotherapy.
Surgery for cancer of unknown primary
Surgery is a medical procedure to examine, remove or repair tissue. Cancer of unknown primary (CUP) is often treated with surgery.
Radiation therapy for cancer of unknown primary
Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells. Cancer of unknown primary (CUP) is sometimes treated with radiation therapy.
Hormone therapy for cancer of unknown primary
Hormone therapy affects hormones that cancer cells need to grow. Cancer of unknown primary (CUP) is sometimes treated with hormone therapy.
Targeted therapy for cancer of unknown primary
Targeted therapy uses drugs to target specific molecules on cancer cells. Cancer of unknown primary (CUP) is sometimes treated with targeted therapy.
Follow-up after treatment for cancer of unknown primary
Follow-up is an important part of care for cancer of unknown primary (CUP). It often involves regular tests and visits with the healthcare team.