Family and Medical History of Patient:

The doctors ask various questions about the past illness, medicine used surgeries etc so that they came to know about the causes of unknown primary cancer.  The patient should inform the doctors everything like his smoking habit , diet, physical activity etc as  the information and detail of these things make the diagnostic process quite easy.   The patient must share the detail of his family history as it serves as a clue for the doctor.

Physical examination:

In this, the doctor completely examined the entire body of patient and this may include the examination of lymph nodes, pelvis, breasts, rectum, and genitals.

Blood and urine tests:

These test are performed to determine the level of certain markers and proteins in the blood and urine. For example the high level of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the indicator of neck lymph nodes cancer.

X-ray:

With the mean of an x-ray is a clear cut  picture of the inside of the body is taken. Normally chest x-ray is performed to check whether cancerous cells are spread to  the lungs or not.

Other Imaging test that are performed during Unknown Primary cancer diagnosis are

• CAT / CT scan (Computed Tomography)
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan

Endoscopy:

In this test an endscope that is a thin flexible lighted tube is inserted into the stomach by the way of mouth esophagus and this process is named as endoscopy.

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test:

This is a test of special protein i.e.  Prostate-specific antigen . it is a protein that is released by  prostate tissue. The elevated level of this protein means there is an abnormal activity in the prostate and that is an indication of prostate cancer. The men who are feeling bone pain will lead to PSA and the higher level of it  increase the risk of prostate cancer in men.

Mammogram:

The women may undergone through this test that is an x-ray of breast in case of cancer  in the axillary lymph nodes and sometimes this is suggested when other areas metastatic breast cancer is suspected.

There is no specific cause or risk factor of unknown primary cancer but the doctors have identified some risk factors for this cancer. The information about the risk factors may help you to discus effectively about your disease with your doctors.

It is a known fact that the causes of many cancers are relevant and sometimes it may  happen that one cancer becomes a cause of other cancer’s appearance.Here is some causes of unknown primary cancer:

Age: This is a risk factor of many cancers including unknown primary cancer.  The risk of cancer attack grows to be high with increase in age. It is evident in a study that persons diagnosed by the unknown primary cancer usually are of over 60. It means that the risk of unknown cancer is more for a people of over age 60 in comparison of other who is under age 60.

Tobacco:

The usage of tobacco in the routine life may be a cause of not only primary cancer but also Lung cancer. Tobacco includes cigarette smoking, chewing tobacco, and cigar smoking. The person who has a habit of smoking may befall a target of unknown primary cancer.

Sun Exposure:

The excessive exposure to sun light is also a major cause of this cancer. It is demonstrated in the research that the people who have constant exposure to sunlight are more likely to be affected by this disease. Sun exposure is also a risk factor of skin cancer.

Radiation Exposure:

The people who had experience some constant radiation treatment in past may become a victim of unknown primary cancer.

Chemical Exposure:

It is shown in the studies that the large amount of chemicals of some manufacturing industries may increase the risk of this cancer if a person has experience of such chemical exposure.

Poor Nutrition:

The intake of poor and unhygienic nutrition in routine life also proves hazardous for a man and may lead to development of unknown primary cancer. One who wants to avoid the risk must include vegetables and fruits in his routine diet.

Lack of Exercise:

The lack of exercise is a minor cause of this cancer so in order to minimize its risk a person must make a habit of exercising.

Family history:

If a person’s close siblings and relative have some cancers such as breast, ovarian, or colorectal cancer then it is possible that he may be affected by unknown primary cancer.

The cancer varies from case to case depending on where the primary was and the treatment also varies as a result. It is crucial for the doctor to attempt to locate the primary as finding what is in affect an offshoot of it means that the cancer is spreading.

The symptoms for this type of cancer also vary from person to person depending on where it is in the body, swelling, breathlessness even weight loss can be symptoms although they could be symptoms of anything else too. It is important that the doctor is informed of any symptoms you have or have had so that an assessment can be properly made.

Typically a biopsy of the affected area is taken as well as draining fluid from the area to try to assess where the cancer has spread from and hopefully eliminate the primary. Unfortunately if the primary is not found then the cancer cannot be cured as it may be part of a larger problem, an analysis of the cells in the cancer may reveal the likely origin of the cancer and then a treatment can be made on that basis. Although usually due to the nature of the cancer itself it is usually best to use radiation therapy and hormonal therapy to control the cancer until the primary can be located.