List of Types of Cancer and Tumors in Humans

Introduction

Cancer is defined as a class of diseases characterized by out-of-control cell growth. There are over 100 different types of cancer, and each is classified by the type of cell that is initially affected. Cancer harms the body when damaged cells divide uncontrollably to form lumps or masses of tissue called tumors (except in the case of leukemia where cancer prohibits normal blood function by abnormal cell division in the blood stream). Tumors can grow and interfere with the digestive, nervous, and circulatory systems, and they can release hormones that alter body function.

Tumors that stay in one spot and demonstrate limited growth are generally considered to be benign. When a tumor successfully spreads to other parts of the body and grows, invading and destroying other healthy tissues, it is said to have metastasized. This process itself is called metastasis.

Main Digest

Cancer Starts in Cells

Our bodies are made up of millions of cells, grouped together to form tissues and organs such as muscles and bones, the lungs and the liver. Genes inside each cell order it to grow, work, reproduce and die.

Normally, our cells obey these orders and we remain healthy. But sometimes the instructions get mixed up, causing the cells to form lumps or tumors, or spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body.

Tumors can be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Benign tumor cells stay in one place in the body and are not usually life-threatening.

There Are Over 100 Types of Cancer

Each type of cancer is unique with its own causes, symptoms, and methods of treatment.

Like with all groups of disease, some types of cancer are more common than others. The most common type of cancer, excluding skin cancer, is prostate cancer, with more than 240,000 new cases expected in the United States in 2012. The cancer on the list with the lowest incidence is pancreatic cancer, with 43,920 new cases expected in 2012.

Cancer symptoms vary widely based on the type of cancer. Cancer treatment includes chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.

Cancer Facts and Statistics

Tobacco use is the cause of about 22% of cancer deaths. Another 10% is due to obesity, a poor diet, lack of physical activity, and drinking alcohol. Other factors include certain infections, exposure to ionizing radiation, and environmental pollutants.

In the developing world nearly 20% of cancers are due to infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and human papillomavirus. These factors act, at least partly, by changing the genes of a cell.

Typically many such genetic changes are required before cancer develops. Approximately 5 to 10% of cancers are due to genetic defects inherited from a person's parents.

Cancer can be detected by certain signs and symptoms or screening tests. It is then typically further investigated by medical imaging and confirmed by biopsy.

Most Common Cancer Types

• Bladder Cancer
• Lung Cancer
• Breast Cancer
• Melanoma
• Colon and Rectal Cancer
• Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
• Endometrial Cancer
• Pancreatic Cancer Kidney (Renal Cell)
• Cancer Prostate Cancer
• Leukemia Thyroid Cancer

Percentage of patients with cancer types deceased five years after cancer diagnosis

• Pancreatic cancer - 97%
• Liver cancer - 95%
• Esophageal cancer - 92%
• Lung cancer - 87%
• Stomach cancer - 83%
• Brain cancer - 75%
• Ovarian cancer - 61%
• Oral cancer - 49%
• Kidney cancer - 47%
• Rectal cancer - 46%
• Colon cancer - 43%
• Laryngeal cancer - 34%
• Cervical cancer - 34%
• Prostate cancer - 26%
• Breast cancer - 23%
• Bladder cancer - 22%
• Skin cancer - 19%
• Uterine cancer - 17%
• Thyroid cancer - 6%

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Cite This Page (APA): Langtree, I. C. (2008, December 30 - Last revised: 2023, December 25). List of Types of Cancer and Tumors in Humans. Disabled World. Retrieved September 7, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/definitions/cancer-glossary.php

Permalink: <a href="https://www.disabled-world.com/definitions/cancer-glossary.php">List of Types of Cancer and Tumors in Humans</a>: Cancer, also called malignancy, is characterized by an abnormal growth of cells. Here is a list of names of nearly all types of cancers which can effect the human body.

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