Common Cancer Types

Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the U.S. It’s caused by harmful cells in your lungs growing unchecked. Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation and targeted drugs. Screening is recommended if you’re at high risk. Advances in treatments have caused a significant decline in lung cancer deaths in recent years.

Liver cancer is a significant health issue and is among the fastest-growing types of cancer in the United States. It is categorized into two types: primary and secondary. Primary liver cancer originates within the liver, while secondary liver cancer metastasizes to the liver from other parts of the body. This article will primarily focus on primary liver cancer.

Kidney cancer is cancer that starts in the cells of the kidney. The most common type of kidney cancer is renal cell carcinoma (RCC), accounting for about 90% of all cases. Usually only one kidney is affected, but in rare cases the cancer may develop in both kidneys.

Stomach cancer develops when cells in any part of the stomach grow and divide abnormally. Tumours can begin anywhere in the stomach but most begin in the glandular tissue on the stomach's inner surface. This type of cancer is an adenocarcinoma of the stomach (gastric cancer).

Breast cancer, a condition characterized by uncontrolled growth of breast cells, affects both men and women, though it is more prevalent in the latter. The most frequently diagnosed form is ductal carcinoma, which originates in the cells of the milk ducts.

Cervical cancer is a common global affliction originating from the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the cervix. Mainly caused by persistent high-risk HPV infection, treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and targeted drugs. Routine screening is vital, especially for those at high risk, contributing to the significant decline in cervical cancer deaths in recent years through early detection and advanced treatments.

Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that originates in the ovaries, the female reproductive organs responsible for producing eggs (ova) and the hormones estrogen and progesterone.

Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, develops from the inner lining of the bowel and is usually preceded by growths called polyps, which may become invasive cancer if undetected.

Prostate cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers among men worldwide. It originates in the prostate gland, and the uncontrolled growth of malignant cells leads to the development of this disease. Common treatments for prostate cancer encompass surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted drug therapies. For individuals at a higher risk, regular screenings are recommended to detect the cancer at an early and more treatable stage. Notably, advancements in prostate cancer treatments have contributed to a substantial reduction in mortality rates over the past years, highlighting the progress made in combating this form of cancer.

Thyroid cancer, though less common, poses a significant global health concern, stemming from abnormal cell growth in the thyroid gland. Factors like genetics and radiation exposure contribute to its development. Treatment options, including surgery, radioactive iodine therapy, and targeted therapy, aim to address the condition. Regular screening, especially for high-risk individuals, is recommended for early detection. Advances in diagnostics and treatment have contributed to improved outcomes, reflected in a positive trend in thyroid cancer mortality rates in recent years.

Oesophageal cancer is a cancer of the food pipe. The food pipe is also called the oesophagus or gullet and is part of the digestive system.

Testicular cancer is not a common cancer but it is the second most common cancer in young men (aged 20 to 39) excluding non-melanoma skin cancer. The most common testicular cancers are germ cell tumours. There are two main types, seminoma and non-seminoma.

Vaginal cancer is one of the rarest types of cancer affecting the female reproductive system. It is more common in women, however, vaginal cancer, particularly adenocarcinoma, can occur in younger women

Pancreatic cancer affects your pancreas, a gland in your abdomen that aids in digestion. Pancreatic cancer symptoms include nausea, bloating, fatigue, jaundice and lack of appetite. Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Pancreatic cancer survival rates are low because the disease is difficult to detect in the early stages.

Bladder cancer occurs when cells in the bladder start to grow without control. The bladder is a hollow, balloon-shaped organ in the lower part of the abdomen that stores urine. The bladder has a muscular wall that allows it to get larger to store urine made by the kidneys and to shrink to squeeze urine out of the body.

Bone cancer can refer to primary bone cancer or secondary bone cancer and the two types are quite different. Primary bone cancer is cancer that begins in the bones.

Skin cancer occurs when skin cells are damaged, for example, by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.

Throat cancer generally refers to cancers that start in the pharynx or larynx (voice box), but can also refer to cancers that start in the oesophagus (food pipe) or thyroid. Some cancers which begin in the throat area, as well as the tongue, salivary glands, sinuses, nose or ear, are classified as head and neck cancers.

Brain cancers include primary brain tumours, which start in the brain and almost never spread to other parts of the body, and secondary tumours (or metastases), which are caused by cancers that began in another part of the body.

Anal cancer is a type of cancer where the malignant cells form in the tissues of the anus, which is the end of the gastrointestinal tract and is comprised of the last inch or so of the large intestine. This type of cancer is relatively rare when compared to other forms of digestive system cancers such as colorectal cancer.