Six-year experience of Australia’s first dedicated cancer of unknown primary clinic

A van Mourik; G Tonkin-Hill; J O’Farrell; S Waller; L Tan; RW Tothill; D Bowtell; S Fox; A Fellowes; C Fedele; P Schofield; T Sivakumaran; HL Wong; L Mileshkin

Journal article

Six-year experience of Australia’s first dedicated cancer of unknown primary clinic

A van Mourik, G Tonkin-Hill, J O’Farrell, S Waller, L Tan, RW Tothill, D Bowtell, S Fox, A Fellowes, C Fedele, P Schofield, T Sivakumaran, HL Wong, L Mileshkin

British Journal of Cancer | SPRINGERNATURE | Published : 2023

DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02254-6

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Abstract

Background: Diagnosis and management of cancers of unknown primary (CUP) remain challenging. This study examines the referral patterns, management and outcomes of patients referred to Australia’s first dedicated CUP clinic. Methods: Retrospective medical record review was conducted for patients seen at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre CUP clinic between July 2014 and August 2020. Overall survival (OS) was analysed for patients with a CUP diagnosis where treatment information was available. Results: Of 361 patients referred, fewer than half had completed diagnostic work-up at the time of referral. A diagnosis of CUP was established in 137 (38%), malignancy other than CUP in 177 (49%) and ben..

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