Definition of Thyroid Cancer

Cancer that forms in the thyroid gland (an organ at the base of the throat that makes hormones that help control heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and weight). Four main types of thyroid cancer are papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic thyroid cancer. The four types are based on how the cancer cells look under a microscope.   Estimated new cases and deaths from thyroid cancer in the United States in 2010: New cases: 44,670 Deaths: 1,...

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Definition of Prostate Cancer

Cancer that forms in tissues of the prostate (a gland in the male reproductive system found below the bladder and in front of the rectum). Prostate cancer usually occurs in older men.   Estimated new cases and deaths from prostate cancer in the United States in 2010 New cases: 217,730 Deaths: 32,050...

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Definition of Pancreatic Cancer

A disease in which malignant (cancer) cells are found in the tissues of the pancreas. Also called exocrine cancer.   Estimated new cases and deaths from pancreatic cancer in the United States in 2010: New cases: 43,140 Deaths: 36,...

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Definition of non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Any of a large group of cancers of lymphocytes (white blood cells). Non-Hodgkin lymphomas can occur at any age and are often marked by lymph nodes that are larger than normal, fever, and weight loss. There are many different types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. These types can be divided into aggressive (fast-growing) and indolent (slow-growing) types, and they can be formed from either B-cells or T-cells. B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas include Burkitt lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, immunoblastic large cell lymphoma, precursor B-lymphoblastic lymphoma, and mantle cell lymphoma. T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas include mycosis fungoides, anaplastic...

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Definition of Melanoma

A form of cancer that begins in melanocytes (cells that make the pigment melanin). It may begin in a mole (skin melanoma), but can also begin in other pigmented tissues, such as in the eye or in the intestines.   Estimated new cases and deaths from melanoma in the United States in 2010 New cases: 68,130 Deaths: 8,7...

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Definition of Lung Cancer

Cancer that forms in tissues of the lung, usually in the cells lining air passages. The two main types are small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. These types are diagnosed based on how the cells look under a microscope.   Estimated new cases and deaths from lung cancer (non-small cell and small cell combined) in the United States in 2010 New cases: 222,520 Deaths: 157,...

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Definition of Leukemia

Cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow and causes large numbers of blood cells to be produced and enter the bloodstream.   Estimated new cases and deaths from leukemia in the United States in 2010 New cases: 43,050 Deaths: 21,8...

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Definition of Kidney Cancer

Cancer that forms in tissues of the kidneys. Kidney cancer includes renal cell carcinoma (cancer that forms in the lining of very small tubes in the kidney that filter the blood and remove waste products) and renal pelvis carcinoma (cancer that forms in the center of the kidney where urine collects). It also includes Wilms tumor, which is a type of kidney cancer that usually develops in children under the age of 5. Estimated new cases and deaths from kidney (renal cell and renal pelvis) cancer in the United States in 2010 New cases: 58,240 Deaths: 13,040 Part 2 Definition of Kidney Canc...

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Definition of Endometrial Cancer

Cancer that forms in the tissue lining the uterus (the small, hollow, pear-shaped organ in a woman's pelvis in which a fetus develops). Most endometrial cancers are adenocarcinomas (cancers that begin in cells that make and release mucus and other fluids).   Estimated new cases and deaths from endometrial (uterine corpus) cancer in the United States in 2010 New cases: 43,470 Deaths: 7,9...

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Definition of Colon Cancer

Cancer that forms in the tissues of the colon (the longest part of the large intestine). Most colon cancers are adenocarcinomas (cancers that begin in cells that make and release mucus and other fluids).   Estimated new cases and deaths from colon and rectal cancer in the United States in 2010: New cases: 102,900 (colon); 39,670 (rectal) Deaths: 51,370 (colon and rectal combine...

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Definition of Breast Cancer

Cancer that forms in tissues of the breast, usually the ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) and lobules (glands that make milk). It occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare. Estimated new cases and deaths from breast cancer in the United States in 2010: New cases: 207,090 (female); 1,970 (male) Deaths: 39,840 (female); 390 (mal...

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Definition of bladder cancer

Cancer that forms in tissues of the bladder (the organ that stores urine). Most bladder cancers are transitional cell carcinomas (cancer that begins in cells that normally make up the inner lining of the bladder). Other types include squamous cell carcinoma (cancer that begins in thin, flat cells) and adenocarcinoma (cancer that begins in cells that make and release mucus and other fluids). The cells that form squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma develop in the inner lining of the bladder as a result of chronic irritation and inflammation. Estimated new cases and deaths from bladder cancer in the United States in 2010New cases: 70,530Deaths: 14,680 Dr. Andrew Siegel discusses bladder Cancer Part 1.   Dr. Andrew Siegel...

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Types of Cancer

Common Cancer Types This list of common cancer types includes cancers that are diagnosed with the greatest frequency in the United States, excluding nonmelanoma skin cancers Bladder Cancer  Breast Cancer Colon and Rectal Cancer Endometrial Cancer Kidney (Renal Cell) Cancer Leukemia Lung Cancer Melanoma Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Pancreatic Cancer Prostate Cancer Thyroid Cancer Cancer incidence and mortality statistics reported by the American Cancer Society and other resources were used to create the list. To qualify as a common cancer, the estimated annual incidence for 2010 had to be 40,000 cases or more. The most common type of cancer on the list is lung cancer, with more than 222,000 new cases expected in the United States in 2010. The cancer with the lowest incidence is leukemia....

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How can cancer be prevented?

Cancers that are closely linked to certain behaviors are the easiest to prevent. For example, choosing not to smoke tobacco or drink alcohol significantly lower the risk of several types of cancer - most notably lung, throat, mouth, and liver cancer. Even if you are a current tobacco user, quitting can still greatly reduce your chances of getting cancer. Skin cancer can be prevented by staying in the shade, protecting yourself with a hat and shirt when in the sun, and using sunscreen. Diet is also an important part of cancer prevention since what we eat has been linked to the disease. Physicians recommend diets that are low in fat and rich in fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Certain vaccinations have been...

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How is cancer treated?

Cancer treatment depends on the type of cancer, the stage of the cancer (how much it has spread), age, health status, and additional personal characteristics. There is no single treatment for cancer, and patients often receive a combination of therapies and palliative care. Treatments usually fall into one of the following categories: surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, or gene therapy. SurgerySurgery is the oldest known treatment for cancer. If a cancer has not metastasized, it is possible to completely cure a patient by surgically removing the cancer from the body. This is often seen in the removal of the prostate or a breast or testicle. After the disease has spread, however, it is nearly...

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How is cancer diagnosed and staged?

Early detection of cancer can greatly improve the odds of successful treatment and survival. Physicians use information from symptoms and several other procedures to diagnose cancer. Imaging techniques such as X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, PET scans, and ultrasound scans are used regularly in order to detect where a tumor is located and what organs may be affected by it. Doctors may also conduct an endoscopy, which is a procedure that uses a thin tube with a camera and light at one end, to look for abnormalities inside the body. Extracting cancer cells and looking at them under a microscope is the only absolute way to diagnose cancer. This procedure is called a biopsy. Other types of molecular diagnostic tests are frequently...

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How is cancer classified?

There are five broad groups that are used to classify cancer. Carcinomas are characterized by cells that cover internal and external parts of the body such as lung, breast, and colon cancer. Sarcomas are characterized by cells that are located in bone, cartilage, fat, connective tissue, muscle, and other supportive tissues. Lymphomas are cancers that begin in the lymph nodes and immune system tissues. Leukemias are cancers that begin in the bone marrow and often accumulate in the bloodstream. Adenomas are cancers that arise in the thyroid, the pituitary gland, the adrenal gland, and other glandular tissues. Cancers are often referred to by terms that contain a prefix related to the cell type in which the cancer originated and a suffix...

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What are the symptoms of cancer?

What are the symptoms of cancer?Cancer symptoms are quite varied and depend on where the cancer is located, where it has spread, and how big the tumor is. Some cancers can be felt or seen through the skin - a lump on the breast or testicle can be an indicator of cancer in those locations. Skin cancer (melanoma) is often noted by a change in a wart or mole on the skin. Some oral cancers present white patches inside the mouth or white spots on the tongue. Other cancers have symptoms that are less physically apparent. Some brain tumors tend to present symptoms early in the disease as they affect important cognitive functions. Pancreas cancers are usually too small to cause symptoms until they cause pain by pushing against...

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What is Cancer? What Causes Cancer?

What is Cancer? What Causes Cancer?Cancer is 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. More dangerous, or malignant, tumors...

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