Treatments for cancer of unknown primary
If you have cancer of unknown primary (CUP), your healthcare team will create a treatment plan just for you. It will be based on your needs and may include a combination of different treatments. When deciding which treatments to offer for CUP, your healthcare team will consider:
- the type of CUP
- the amount of differentiation of the cancer cells
- whether it is favourable-risk or poor-risk CUP
- where and how many different places cancer is found
- prognosis
performance status - where the cancer may have started (called the primary site)
- your overall health
- your age
- your preferences for treatment
Treatments for adenocarcinoma of unknown primary
Treatments for adenocarcinoma of unknown primary depend on where cancer is found and where it may have started. Learn about treatment options.
Treatments for poorly differentiated carcinoma of unknown primary
Chemotherapy is used to treat poorly differentiated cancer of unknown primary. Learn about when chemotherapy is used and which chemotherapy drugs are used.
Treatments for squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary
Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation are often all used to treat squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary. Learn more about how these treatments are used.
Treatments for neuroendocrine carcinoma of unknown primary
Chemotherapy is used to treat neuroendocrine tumours of unknown primary. Learn about the types of chemotherapy drugs that are used.
Treatments for undifferentiated tumours
Chemotherapy is used to treat undifferentiated tumours of unknown primary. Learn about the types of chemotherapy drugs used.
Chemotherapy for cancer of unknown primary
Chemotherapy is commonly used to treat cancer of unknown primary. Learn about which chemotherapy drugs are used and their side effects.
Radiation therapy for cancer of unknown primary
External beam radiation therapy is used to treat cancer of unknown primary (CUP). Learn how it is used and the side effects of radiation.
Hormonal therapy for cancer of unknown primary
Hormonal therapy is used to treat cancer of unknown primary (CUP) in some people. Learn when it is used and the side effects of hormonal therapy.
Surgery for cancer of unknown primary
Surgery is sometimes used to treat cancer of unknown primary (CUP). Learn about which surgeries are used and their side effects.
Targeted therapy for cancer of unknown primary
Targeted therapy is a new treatment for some types of cancer of unknown primary (CUP). Learn more about targeted therapy drugs and their side effects.
Follow-up after treatment for cancer of unknown primary
Follow-up after treatment for cancer of unknown primary (CUP) varies. Learn about follow-up appointments and tests or procedures that may be done.