Dictionary of Cancer Terms
View in Spanish: Cáncer de origen primario desconocido
Cancer of unknown primary origin (KAN-ser UN-none PRY-mayr-ee OR-uh-jun)
A case in which cancer cells are found in the body, but the place where the cells first started growing (the origin or primary site) cannot be determined. Also called carcinoma of unknown primary and CUP.
Source: National Cancer Institute Dictionary of Cancer Terms, available at www.cancer.gov/dictionary.