Cancer of unknown primary origin history and symptoms

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: ; Roukoz A. Karam, M.D.[2]

The majority of patients with cancer of unknown primary origin are asymptomatic.

The majority of patients with cancer of unknown primary origin are asymptomatic.^[1]

The hallmark of CUP is determined by the specific metastatic sites involved, which are usually more than one at time of diagnosis.

Patients often present with signs and symptoms related to the sites involved including the liver, lungs, lymph nodes, and bones.

Common symptoms of cancer of unknown primary origin may include the following:^[1]

• Fatigue
• Pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Less common symptoms of cancer of unknown primary origin may include the following:^[1]

• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Insomnia