Cancer of unknown primary origin

"Cancer of unknown primary origin" (CUP, "occult cancer") is a term used to describe a cancer that is said to be at the metastatic stage at the time of diagnosis, but a primary tumor cannot be identified. A diagnosis of CUP requires a clinical picture with metastatic disease and one or more biopsy results inconsistent with a primary tumor.[1]

CUP is found in about 3 to 5% of all people diagnosed with invasive cancer,[2] and carries a poor prognosis in most (80 to 85%) of those circumstances. The other 15 to 20% of patients, however, have a relatively long survival with appropriate treatment.[2]

Cancer Of Unknown Primary Origin Media

References

  1. Carcinoma of Unknown Primary Treatment–for health professionals (December 30, 2014)National Cancer Institute. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Stella, GM. Cancers of unknown primary origin: current perspectives and future therapeutic strategies.. Journal of Translational Medicine 10 (24 January 2012). p. 12. doi:10.1186/1479-5876-10-12.