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Primary cancer unknown/ Secondary in perionetal area.

Mq21
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Hello, I'm 48 and my husband is 56. He has been diagnosed with CUP, with secondary In the perionetal area. Shocked and devastation is an understatement. Main symptom is ascites of the abdomen.  Following several visits to gp and numerous a and e visits over a period of around 6 months,  5 weeks ago he was admitted to hospital and had 20 l of fluid removed and on testing cancer cells were found in the fluid.  A week later we met with Dr who told us that my husband had a very aggressive cancer had months left and that time was precious.  He was signed off work immediately and I also was signed off on advice from Consultant and a work colleague to make the most of our time together.  Saw oncologist yesterday and chemo treatment to manage symptoms commences on16th Nov for 6 months,  reviewing after 3.  


What is the average survival rate and timeline, given the nature and aggressiveness of This cancer. We should know fairly quickly if the treatment is working to slow the fluid build up.  I don't want to miss out on any time with my husband, but also I am very aware that I will need work and an income on the other side and I don't know if I should go back to work now, wait to see how he manages after a couple of rounds of chemo or just completely forget about work and focus on him and our 3  kids, aged 22, 21 and 18 all at home. I can take up,to,a year on sick leave and then explore the possibility of a career break after that if necessary.  I have so many questions and just don't know where to turn. I can't imagine what life will look like in the future.  We have been together for 32 years, since I was 16 and married for 24. We had planned to take a big American holiday to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary next August, its unbearable, to think that he won't be around to give his daughter,s away at their weddings. He won't see his son graduate from uni and will never meet his grandchildren.  My heart is breaking for him.  This is not how our lives was meant to be. But maybe medics wrong and the chemo will work and he will be with us for a long time yet or I am just being naive


 

  • Hello and thank you for your post,

    I am very sorry to hear about your husband's diagnosis of a Cancer of Unknown Primary  (CUP), this must be a difficult time for you all. I can appreciate you want to know more about his situation.

    I am afraid that we are not the best people to know your husband's prognosis (survival rate) this is best coming from his specialist cancer team because they know him and can see the effect treatment has on his cancer. I also think that everyone needs to see how the chemotherapy affects his cancer. Doing the scan half way through the treatment and possibly again after all of the treatment has been given will give valuable information and this will help everyone understand more about his prognosis.

    It may be difficult to make plans, and heart breaking to know that his time will be shorter. I think it is a good idea to talk with your line manager at work and keep them up to date. You might decide that going in to work while he is having his treatment is a good idea. But I do think the decision to do this is influenced by how well your husband is while having the treatment and possibly by the type of work you do. Making longer-term plans I think may not be possible, at least yet.  Please keep in your mind the fact that there will be support for you all, when it is needed. 

    We have information about CUP on our website you can see it here 

    I think it might be good idea to know more about benefits and finance, you see this information here 

    This is information about support for people at home with cancer, for when you need it click here 

    I hope this has helped. Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    Take care,

    Caroline 

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