what is the treatment for unspecified cancer

What are the treatment options for cancer?

Treatment for a cancer of unknown primary (CUP) may include: Surgery for a Cancer of Unknown Primary. Radiation Therapy for a Cancer of Unknown Primary. Chemotherapy for a Cancer of Unknown Primary. Hormone Therapy for a Cancer of Unknown Primary. Targeted Therapy for a Cancer of Unknown Primary. Other Drugs for a Cancer of Unknown Primary.

What are the treatment options for carcinoma of unknown primary?

The radiation may be given before or after surgery. When tumors are very large or present on both sides of the neck, chemotherapy (chemo) and radiation therapy are often used together. A targeted therapy drug may also be used with radiation (instead of chemo).

What are the different ways that surgery is used against cancer?

Some people with cancer will have only one treatment. But most people have a combination of treatments, such as surgery with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. You may also have immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or hormone therapy. Clinical trials might also be an option for you. Clinical trials are research studies that involve people.

How many types of cancer treatments are there?

Cancer of Unknown Primary. If you have a cancer of unknown primary or are close to someone who does, knowing what to expect can help you cope. Here you can find out all about cancers of unknown primary, including risk factors, symptoms, how they are found, and how they are treated.

Can alternative treatments help with cancer?

Alternative treatments are used instead of a doctor’s medical treatment. Although some of these methods might be helpful in relieving symptoms or helping you feel better, many have not been proven to work. Some might even be harmful. Be sure to talk to your cancer care team about any method you are thinking about using.

Is treatment information given here official policy of the American Cancer Society?

The treatment information given here is not official policy of the American Cancer Society and is not intended as medical advice to replace the expertise and judgment of your cancer care team. It is intended to help you and your family make informed decisions, together with your doctor.

What kind of doctor treats cancer?

Based on your treatment options, you might have different types of doctors on your treatment team. These doctors could include: 1 A surgical oncologist (oncologic surgeon): a doctor who uses surgery to treat cancer 2 A radiation oncologist: a doctor who treats cancer with radiation therapy 3 A medical oncologist: a doctor who treats cancer with medicines such as chemotherapy or targeted therapy

What are the factors to consider when making a cancer treatment plan?

In creating your treatment plan, the most important factors to consider are the type of cancer and its location. Your cancer care team will also take into account your general state of health and your personal preferences.

What do people with cancer need?

People with cancer need support and information, no matter what stage of illness they may be in. Knowing all of your options and finding the resources you need will help you make informed decisions about your care.

What is the number to call for cancer treatment?

Call our National Cancer Information Center at 1-800-227-2345 and speak with one of our trained specialists. Palliative Care. Find Support Programs and Services in Your Area.

What is a medical oncologist?

A surgical oncologist (oncologic surgeon): a doctor who uses surgery to treat cancer. A radiation oncologist: a doctor who treats cancer with radiation therapy. A medical oncologist: a doctor who treats cancer with medicines such as chemotherapy or targeted therapy. You might have many other specialists on your treatment team as well, ...

What is the treatment for cancer?

Depending on the woman’s age and whether the cancer cells contain estrogen and/or progesterone receptors, additional (adjuvant) treatment may include hormonal therapy, chemo, or both . The cancer can also be tested for a protein called HER2. If positive, a drug that targets the HER2 protein may be used.

Can cancer be treated with surgery?

It’s important to search carefully for the origin of these cancers, as many of them can be treated effectively if it is found. If the primary tumor can’t be found, surgery is usually the main treatment. If the cancer appears to be confined to a single lymph node, removing it may be the only treatment.

How to remove squamous cell carcinoma?

Squamous cell carcinoma in lymph nodes in the neck 1 A partial or selective neck dissection removes only a few lymph nodes. 2 A modified radical neck dissection removes most lymph nodes on one side of the neck between the jawbone and collarbone, as well as some muscle and nerve tissue. 3 A radical neck dissection removes nearly all the nodes on one side, as well as even more muscles, nerves, and veins.

Can HER2 be used for breast cancer?

If positive, a drug that targets the HER2 protein may be used. For more information about prognosis and treatment of breast cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes, see Breast Cancer. Although cancer in axillary lymph nodes in men may represent spread from a breast cancer, spread from a lung cancer is much more likely.

Does breast cancer spread to lymph nodes?

For more information about prognosis and treatment of breast cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes, see Breast Cancer. Although cancer in axillary lymph nodes in men may represent spread from a breast cancer, spread from a lung cancer is much more likely.

What is the best treatment for lymph node cancer?

If more than one lymph node is found to contain cancer, radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy may be recommended as well.

How long does it take to get rid of ovarian cancer?

Treatment is typically surgery to remove the uterus, both ovaries, both fallopian tubes, and as much of the cancer as possible. After surgery, 6 to 8 months of chemo may be recommended. For more information, see Ovarian Cancer.

What kind of treatment is needed for cancer?

Some people with cancer will have only one treatment. But most people have a combination of treatments, such as surgery with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. You may also have immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or hormone therapy.

Can cancer patients have only one treatment?

Some people with cancer will have only one treatment. But most people have a combination of treatments, such as surgery with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. You may also have immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or hormone therapy. Clinical trials might also be an option for you.

Is it normal to be overwhelmed with cancer?

When you need treatment for cancer, you have a lot to learn and think about. It is normal to feel overwhelmed and confused. But, talking with your doctor and learning all you can about all your treatment options, including clinical trials, can help you make a decision you feel good about.

How to deal with cancer?

Keeping your close relationships strong will help you deal with your cancer. Friends and family can provide the practical support you'll need, such as helping take care of your home if you're in the hospital. And they can serve as emotional support when you feel overwhelmed by cancer. Find someone to talk with.

What to do if you think you have cancer?

If your doctor suspects that you might have cancer, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in caring for people with cancer (oncologist).

What tests can be used to diagnose cancer?

Imaging tests. You might have imaging tests, such as X-ray, CT or MRI, to help with your diagnosis. Removing a sample of tissue for testing. To confirm that your symptoms are caused by cancer, your doctor may recommend a procedure to remove a sample of cells for lab testing (biopsy).

What tests can you do to see if you have cancer?

Physical exam. Your doctor will carefully examine your body to look for signs of cancer. Imaging tests. Your doctor might recommend imaging tests to look for signs of the original cancer. These tests might include CT and positron emission tomography (PET) scans. Blood tests.

What are some examples of tumor markers?

Examples of tumor markers include prostate-specific antigen (PSA) for prostate cancer and cancer antigen (CA) 125 for ovarian cancer. Using a scope to examine the inside of the body. The doctor might use a long thin tube equipped with a camera to examine the inside of your body to look for signs of cancer. The scope might be passed ...

How does chemotherapy work?

Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. One or more chemotherapy drugs may be given through a vein in your arm (intravenously), taken orally, or administered with both methods. Chemotherapy might be recommended if you have cancer cells in more than one area.

What is radiation therapy used for?

Radiation therapy might be used for carcinoma of unknown primary that's limited to one area of the body . It can also be used to help control symptoms, such as a growing cancer that's causing pain. Surgery.

Can cancer patients have only one treatment?

Some people with cancer will have only one treatment. But most people have a combination of treatments, such as surgery with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. When you need treatment for cancer, you have a lot to learn and think about. It is normal to feel overwhelmed and confused.

How many treatments do you get for cancer?

The types of treatment that you receive will depend on the type of cancer you have and how advanced it is. Some people with cancer will have only one treatment. But most people have a combination of treatments, such as surgery with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.

Is it normal to feel overwhelmed with cancer?

When you need treatment for cancer, you have a lot to learn and think about. It is normal to feel overwhelmed and confused.

What is the procedure that removes cancer from the body?

Surgery. When used to treat cancer, surgery is a procedure in which a surgeon removes cancer from your body. Learn the different ways that surgery is used against cancer and what you can expect before, during, and after surgery.

What is immunotherapy for cancer?

Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that helps your immune system fight cancer. This page covers the types of immunotherapy, how it is used against cancer, and what you can expect during treatment.

What is the treatment for breast cancer?

Hormone Therapy. Hormone therapy is a treatment that slows or stops the growth of breast and prostate cancers that use hormones to grow. Learn about the types of hormone therapy and side effects that may happen.

What is radiation therapy?

Radiation therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Learn about the types of radiation, why side effects happen, which ones you might have, and more.

How are cancers classified?

Cancers are classified by their primary site. They can also be grouped by the types of cells in them, how the cancer cells look under the microscope, and on results of certain lab tests on the cells . Knowing the type of cell might give doctors a clue as to where the cancer started. When the cancer cells closely resemble normal cells of the organ where they start, the cancer is called well differentiated. When the cells do not look much like normal cells, the cancers are called poorly differentiated. Cancers of unknown primary are often poorly differentiated.

How are cancers named?

Cancers are named based on their primary site, regardless of where in the body they spread. For example, a lung cancer that spreads to the liver is still classified as lung cancer and not as liver cancer. Sometimes it’s not clear where a cancer may have started. When cancer is found in one or more metastatic sites but the primary site cannot be ...

What is cancer of unknown primary?

What Is a Cancer of Unknown Primary? Cancer starts when cells begin to grow out of control. Cells in nearly any part of the body can become cancer, and can spread to other areas. Cancers often spread from their primary site (the part of the body where the cancer started) to one or more metastatic sites (other parts of the body).

Can lymph nodes be cancer?

As an example, a person has an enlarged lymph node on the side of their neck. When it is removed, cancer is found. But under the microscope it does not look like a cancer that normally starts in lymph nodes. At this point it might be considered a cancer of unknown primary.

Where does laryngeal cancer start?

The way it looks under the microscope might suggest that the cancer started in the mouth, throat, or voice box (larynx). When this area is examined, a small cancer of the larynx might be found. From then on, the patient is said to have laryngeal cancer rather than a cancer of unknown primary and will get treated for that type of cancer.

What is the name of the cancer that is formed by flat cells that look like cells normally found on the surface of the

Cancers formed by flat cells that look like cells normally found on the surface of the skin or the linings of certain organs are called squamous cell cancers or squamous cell carcinomas. Squamous cell cancers can start in the mouth, throat, esophagus, lungs, anus, cervix, vagina, and some other organs.

What is the term for cancer that develops from gland cells?

Cancers that develop from gland cells (cells that secrete a substance) are called adenocarcinomas . Gland cells are found in many organs of the body, including some that are not usually thought of as glands. For example, most cancers in the stomach, intestines, and colon are adenocarcinomas.

What is the treatment for leukemia?

Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is the major form of treatment for leukemia. This drug treatment uses chemicals to kill leukemia cells. Depending on the type of leukemia you have, you may receive a single drug or a combination of drugs. These drugs may come in a pill form, or they may be injected directly into a vein.

What is the treatment for bone marrow transplant?

Radiation therapy may be used to prepare for a bone marrow transplant. Bone marrow transplant. A bone marrow transplant, also called a stem cell transplant, helps reestablish healthy stem cells by replacing unhealthy bone marrow with leukemia-free stem cells that will regenerate healthy bone marrow.

Can leukemia be devastating?

A diagnosis of leukemia may be devastating — especially for the family of a newly diagnosed child. With time you'll find ways to cope with the distress and uncertainty of cancer. Until then, you may find it helps to: Learn enough about leukemia to make decisions about your care.

Where is bone marrow aspiration done?

In a bone marrow aspiration, a doctor or nurse uses a thin needle to remove a small amount of liquid bone marrow, usually from a spot in the back of your hipbone (pelvis). A bone marrow biopsy is often done at the same time. This second procedure removes a small piece of bone tissue and the enclosed marrow.

How is bone marrow removed?

The bone marrow is removed using a long, thin needle. The sample is sent to a laboratory to look for leukemia cells. Specialized tests of your leukemia cells may reveal certain characteristics that are used to determine your treatment options.

What is targeted therapy?

Targeted therapy. Targeted drug treatment s focus on specific abnormalities present within cancer cells. By blocking these abnormalities, targeted drug treatments can cause cancer cells to die. Your leukemia cells will be tested to see if targeted therapy may be helpful for you. Radiation therapy.

Can you use your own stem cells?

You may receive stem cells from a donor or you may be able to use your own stem cells. Immunotherapy. Immunotherapy uses your immune system to fight cancer. Your body's disease-fighting immune system may not attack your cancer because the cancer cells produce proteins that help them hide from the immune system cells.

Diagnosis

Treatment

• To determine which treatments might be best for you, your doctor will consider where your cancer cells were found, which type of normal cells they most closely resemble and the results of lab tests. The treatment plan is personalized to your particular clinical situation and your personal preferences. Treatments might include: 1. Chemotherapy.Chemo...

See more on mayoclinic.org

Clinical Trials

Coping and Support

Preparing For Your Appointment