Definition:
Cancer of Unknown Primary Site or CUPS for brevity, is the term that is used to refer to that type of cancer whose origin and type of cancerous cell is not yet known.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis is made through physical examination and undergoing series of medical and laboratory tests such as blood tests, endoscopic examination and biopsy which may be a fine needle aspiration biopsy, core needle biopsy, incisional biopsy, liver function tests, blood cell count and serum tumor markers.
Treatment:
Treatment for Cancer of Unknown Primary Site or CUPS includes undergoing chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy and even surgery to remove cancer cells.
Symptoms and Signs:
Symptoms of Cancer of Unknown Primary Site depends on which organ the cancer cells spread however, signs may include occurrence of swollen and nontender lymph nodes in the neck, collarbone, underarms and the groin area. It may also be observed that a person is having shortness of breathing, unusual pain in the abdomen or the chest area, pain in the bone, occurrence of skin tumors, weakness, poor appetite, sudden weight loss and fatigue.
Causes:
The cause of Cancer of Unknown Primary Site or CUPS is not yet known.
