Cancer of unknown primary statistics
It can take several years to collect and confirm cancer data, so the number of new cancer cases and deaths from recent years may not be available for some time. The most recent data available are provided below.
Incidence and mortality
Specific numbers for cancer of unknown primary are not reported separately but are included in the general category other ill-defined and unknown cancers. This broad category includes similar cancers that are grouped and reported together. So the numbers do not necessarily show the new cases (incidence) and deaths (mortality) specifically for cancers of unknown primary.
Incidence is the total number of new cases of cancer. Mortality is the number of deaths due to cancer.
Cancer statistics are currently analyzed and reported based on the sex assigned at birth, with male/men and female/women categories. We need to address gaps in how statistics are collected to better understand cancer in transgender, non-binary and gender-diverse people.
The most recent incidence statistics for other ill-defined and unknown cancers are from 2023:
- 7,765 people in Canada (excluding Nova Scotia) were diagnosed with other ill-defined and unknown cancers.
- 4,055 men were diagnosed with other ill-defined and unknown cancers.
- 3,710 women were diagnosed with other ill-defined and unknown cancers.
The most recent mortality statistics for other ill-defined and unknown cancers are from 2024:
- 4,329 people in Canada died from other ill-defined and unknown cancers.
- 2,118 men died from other ill-defined and unknown cancers.
- 2,211 women died from other ill-defined and unknown cancers.
Find out more about cancer statistics.
Your trusted source for accurate cancer information
With support from readers like you, we can continue to provide the highest quality cancer information for over 100 types of cancer.
We’re here to ensure easy access to accurate cancer information for you and the millions of people who visit this website every year. But we can’t do it alone.
Every donation helps fund reliable cancer information, compassionate support services and the most promising research. Please give today because every contribution counts. Thank you.