How is CUP diagnosed?
CUP is diagnosed individually. It depends on what symptoms you have and where the cancer has spread. Here is a general overview of cancer tests:
How is Cancer of Unknown Primary Diagnosed – American Cancer Society
Cancer Tests – Cancer Research UK

Where are the first places I should look for treatment information?
Carcinoma of Unknown Primary: Treatment – NCI/PDQ®
Treatment for Cancer of Unknown Primary – American Cancer Society

Why can’t the doctor find the primary tumor?
Sometimes the doctor is unable to find where the cancer started. This can happen for a number of different reasons. The primary tumor could have disappeared on its’ own, or your body destroyed the primary tumor, but not the places the cancer spread. When a cancer spreads, the new spots of cancer are called metastases or secondary cancers. The secondary cancers may be large and blocking the primary tumor so it does not show up on x-rays. The primary tumor may be too small to find with xrays, CT of MRI scans (Cancer BACUP).

Is CUP the same as metastatic cancer?
Yes. Metastasis means cancer spread. CUP means cancer spread from a source that cannot be found.

Do you have a list of websites, books, and other resources on cancer of unknown primary?
Information Finder on Others Cancers

Revised 2008

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