Unknown primary cancer: Support research for new diagnostic tests and treatments
Last updated: 19/02/2014
Why this research is needed
Cancers are named based on where they start in the body. However, it's not always possible to determine this, and some cancers are only detected by the secondary tumours that have spread from it.
Cancer of unknown primary (CUP) is the name given to this type of cancer, and it's responsible for over 10,000 deaths a year. By the time cancer is diagnosed, it is often quite advanced and very difficult to treat. Better diagnostic tools and treatment for CUP is desperately needed to help improve survival.
The impact of our work
This research will show whether a new combination of chemotherapy drugs can improve survival for patients with CUP, and help design future trials to test whether it should be a standard treatment. This study may also lead to new tests to find where an unknown primary cancer starts, helping doctors provide the most effective treatment earlier, giving patients the best chance of survival.
Project closed – February 2014
We’re very excited to announce that we’ve achieved the fundraising target for this project! Thank you so much for helping us to raise £160,000 for pioneering research into unknown primary cancers.
With a special thank you to Friends of Fi whose fundraising efforts have made an overwhelming contribution toward the total of this project.
Together you’re support is helping to make a difference and you can read the latest news about our research here.
Fundraising and donations to this project have closed, but you can continue to support our work by fundraising for another area of research.