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Carcinoma of Unknown Primary
Understanding Your Diagnosis Deciding on Treatment Managing Side Effects Cancer FAQs Advanced Reading
This type of cancer is found after it has spread from its original location. With testing, doctors may be able to tell where the cancer originated, which helps with treatment.
Overview
This type of cancer is most often found in the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, brain, or bones. Doctors try to find out where the cancer originated for more effective treatment.
Understanding Your Diagnosis
A physical exam can help your doctor discover the source of the cancer. If it originated in the lungs, for instance, the carcinoma would be renamed lung cancer.
Deciding on Treatment
Your doctor is the best person to answer questions about treatment, such as what the choices are, how well they might work, and what the risks and side effects may be.
Managing Side Effects
Some people have no side effects during treatment, but others may have several. Some side effects may change over time, although others stay the same. Your doctor or cancer nurse can suggest ways to ease the side effects you experience.
Advanced Reading
Learn more about carcinomas from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Physician Data Query (PDQ®) for patients. It includes information about prevention, screening, and treatment.
