There are 2500 new diagnosis of Cancer Unknown Primary (CUP) in Australia each year (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), Australian Cancer Incidence and Mortality (ACIM) books: cancer of unknown primary site, AIHW, Canberra, December 2017.). The survival outcome of CUP is generally poor and there is no consensus for treatment (Kang, et al., 2021). A diagnosis of CUP is a devastating diagnosis for patients and their families. There is uncertainly regarding the diagnosis, the optimal treatment, and ultimately the likely prognosis. This creates significant anxiety and worry in patients who have no support groups or “tumour streams”. These patients have often been seen by multiple specialists or had innumerable scans and procedures before getting to a tertiary centre with a Cancer Unknown Primary service.
The CUP nurse specialist role plays a vital part in helping patients and their families navigate the complexities around their diagnosis, the delays in treatment while a primary is being investigated, and ultimately the treatment approach where there is often minimal evidence base. CUP nurse specialists are integral in Cancer Unknown primary services to provide timely access to specialist treating teams and therefore improved outcomes for this unique patient group. They provide the emotional support to patients and families who often don’t have the support groups that are available for cancers with a known primary.