Most patients have an obvious site of primary cancer but sometimes cancer is suspected or found in the body but the place where the cancer began is not known. Delays in diagnostic investigations and initiating anti-cancer therapy can have a detrimental effect on these patients’ survival outcome.
In collaboration with Oaks Hospital, I offer a comprehensive and affordable specialist service for patients with suspected cancer without an obvious primary. You can access this service using your health insurance or paying for yourself.
Symptoms
Symptoms of cancer of unknown primary (CUP) will vary depending on where the secondary cancer (or cancers) are but common reasons for suspecting cancer and referring patients for further investigation include:
- Your GP concern of underlying malignancy
- Lymph node or groin lump
- Abdominal mass or build-up of fluid in the abdomen
- Build-up of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion)
- Unexplained bone pain
- Enlarged lymph nodes seen on ultrasound or CT scan
- Liver or lung deposits found after ultrasound or CT scan
- Unexplained weight loss, fatigue or poor appetite
You will be seen within 3-5 working days and I will carry out further investigations, often, on the same day/appointment. You will have access to a team of multi-disciplinary hospital experts depending on the diagnosis.