Cancer of unknown primary (CUP)
Types of treatment Save this page
Treatments for cancer of unknown primary (CUP) can include:
- chemotherapy
- radiation therapy (radiotherapy)
- surgery
- hormonal therapy
- palliative care
- targeted therapy – may be available in clinical trials
- immunotherapy – may be available in clinical trials.
Most people with CUP may have one or more of these treatments. Not all treatments are suitable for every person with CUP.
Choose the option that best suits your situation
Chemotherapy, also known as chemo, is a way of treating cancer using drugs.
Radiation therapy is a way of treating cancers using X-rays or other types of radiation.
The type of surgery you have depends on your cancer.
Hormonal therapy uses drugs to treat cancers that are sensitive to hormones.
Targeted therapy uses drugs that affect specific cells in some cancers.
Immunotherapy helps the body’s immune system to fight cancer.
Palliative care deals with managing symptoms and improving quality of life.
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