To develop and test supportive interventions for patients with CUP we need to understand how their needs change over time, which issues should be prioritised at particular points along the disease trajectory, and how these compare with the experiences of patients with metastatic disease where the primary is known.
An Australian study (Solving Unknown Primary CancER (SUPER)), led by Dr Penelope Schofield at the Peter MacCullum Cancer Centre, is currently underway that compares longitudinal outcomes for patients with CUP and patients with metastatic cancer of known origin.
The SUPER study (Peter Mc Project No. 13/62) will recruit a matched sample of patients with advanced cancer of known primary (n=60) and CUP (n=60), and compare self-reported outcomes relevant to the design of targeted supportive care interventions. Our future intention is to collaborate with Australian colleagues by conducting a similar large scale mixed methods study to explore QoL issues of patients with CUP in England.
Professor Alison Richardson
Dr Richard Wagland
Adventures in Research (University of Southampton)