<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.3.0.814</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>106</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>174</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>38</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>5</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="pbyi-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/DocumentDocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pbyi-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100010 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pbyi-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100020 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pbyi-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100030 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pbyi-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100040 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pbyi-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100050 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfStockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pbyi-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100060 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfStockholdersEquityParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pbyi-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100070 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pbyi-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100080 - Disclosure - Business and Basis of Presentation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBusinessAndBasisOfPresentation</Role>
      <ShortName>Business and Basis of Presentation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pbyi-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100090 - Disclosure - Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pbyi-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100100 - Disclosure - Prepaid Expenses and Other</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePrepaidExpensesAndOther</Role>
      <ShortName>Prepaid Expenses and Other</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pbyi-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100110 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipment</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pbyi-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100120 - Disclosure - Accrued Expenses</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccruedExpenses</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Expenses</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pbyi-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100130 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pbyi-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100140 - Disclosure - 401(k) Savings Plan</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/Disclosure401KSavingsPlan</Role>
      <ShortName>401(k) Savings Plan</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pbyi-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100150 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pbyi-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100160 - Disclosure - Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSignificantAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pbyi-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100170 - Disclosure - Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSignificantAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pbyi-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100180 - Disclosure - Prepaid Expenses and Other (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePrepaidExpensesAndOtherTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Prepaid Expenses and Other (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePrepaidExpensesAndOther</ParentRole>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pbyi-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100190 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipmentTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipment</ParentRole>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pbyi-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100200 - Disclosure - Accrued Expenses (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccruedExpensesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Expenses (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccruedExpenses</ParentRole>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pbyi-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100210 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquity</ParentRole>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pbyi-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100220 - Disclosure - Business and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBusinessAndBasisOfPresentationAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Business and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pbyi-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100230 - Disclosure - Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSignificantAccountingPoliciesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pbyi-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100240 - Disclosure - Assets Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAssetsMeasuredAtFairValueOnRecurringBasisDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Assets Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pbyi-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100250 - Disclosure - Components of Prepaid Expenses and Other (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureComponentsOfPrepaidExpensesAndOtherDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Components of Prepaid Expenses and Other (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pbyi-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100260 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipmentDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipmentTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pbyi-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100270 - Disclosure - Accrued Expenses (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccruedExpensesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Expenses (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccruedExpensesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pbyi-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100280 - Disclosure - Stockholders Equity - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders Equity - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pbyi-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100290 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationExpenseDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pbyi-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100300 - Disclosure - Performance Shares (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePerformanceSharesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Performance Shares (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pbyi-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100310 - Disclosure - Fair Value Options Weighted-Average Assumptions (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueOptionsWeightedAverageAssumptionsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Options Weighted-Average Assumptions (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pbyi-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100320 - Disclosure - Activity with Respect to Options Granted (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureActivityWithRespectToOptionsGrantedDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Activity with Respect to Options Granted (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pbyi-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100330 - Disclosure - Stock Options (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockOptionsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock Options (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pbyi-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100340 - Disclosure - 401(K) Savings Plan - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/Disclosure401KSavingsPlanAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>401(K) Savings Plan - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pbyi-20150930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100350 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pumabiotechnology.com/20150930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">In ''Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets'', column(s) 3, 4 are contained in other reports, so were removed by flow through suppression.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">In ''Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows'', column(s) 1, 2 are contained in other reports, so were removed by flow through suppression.</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>pbyi-20150930.xml</File>
    <File>pbyi-20150930_cal.xml</File>
    <File>pbyi-20150930_def.xml</File>
    <File>pbyi-20150930_lab.xml</File>
    <File>pbyi-20150930_pre.xml</File>
    <File>pbyi-20150930.xsd</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies/>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>

