Cancers at a glance

Click the cancer types below to view the latest key facts on trends in new cases, deaths and survival in NSW.

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In depth cancer reports

For detailed data and analysis, please see the latest cancer reports published by the Cancer Institute

Cancer in NSW: Incidence and Mortality 2008

Other cancer reports

Online cancer statistics

Run detailed and customised reports on specific cancers, with comparisons on age, genders and geography:

Online statistics module

Cancer of unknown primary

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Cancer of unknown primary accounts for less than 3 per cent of all new cancer and less than 6 per cent of cancer deaths in NSW.

At a glance

2008 statistics Men Women All People
Cases Rate Trend Cases Rate Trend Cases Rate
New cases 545 15.6 positive trend downwards 24.7% 520 11.5 positive trend downwards 27.4% 1,065 13.4
Deaths 364 10.5 positive trend downwards 38.2% 384 8.2 positive trend downwards 35.7% 748 9.3
Relative survival
(5 year)		 20% icon-trend-static.png 4% 17% icon-trend-static.png 3% -

icon-trend-static.png No statistically significant change.

  • Cancer of unknown primary is the ninth most common cancer in NSW and seventh overall in mortality.
  • One in 48 men and one in 69 women will develop CUP by the age of 85.
  • It is expected more than 1,400 people will be diagnosed with unknown primary cancer in NSW in 2011.
  • It is expected there will be more than 960 deaths from unknown primary cancer in NSW in 2011.

Cases refers to the number of people with the disease; Rate means cases per 100,000 people (age standardised); Trend means the change in the rate over 10 years.

Historical trends

New cases

Age-standardised incidence, NSW

CUP-incidence.png

Deaths

Age-standardised mortality, NSW

CUP-incidence.png

 

Risk factors

It is difficult to identify risk factors for CUP as the organ of origin in a CUP diagnosis is not known.

Smoking may be an important risk factor as more than half of unknown primary cancer patients have a history of smoking.

Other risk factors may include old age, diet, alcohol and obesity - common risk factors for many cancers.

 

Prevention

The nature of unknown primary cancer makes prevention specific to this disease difficult to define.

However, the usual cancer risk factors may be important and prevention measures may include the avoidance of tobacco consumption, maintaining a healthy diet and weight and limiting alcohol consumption.

Detection and screening

There is no screening method for unknown primary cancer.

Diagnosis occurs when a patient presents with a tumour. Tests may include a biopsy, physical examination, x-ray and blood test.

Data sources:

  1. Cancer In NSW, Incidence and Mortality Report 2008. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW, August 2010.
  2. Cancer Research in NSW 2007-2009. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW. March 2011.
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