Cancer, Types of

Synonyms

Cancer types

Definition

Cancer is a term used for a disease in which abnormal cells divide uncontrollably and invade other tissues.

Cancer includes many forms of disease, and there are more than 100 different types of cancer. Most cancers are named for the organ or type of cell from which they originate. Cancer types can also be grouped into broader categories.

The main categories of cancer include:

• Carcinoma – cancer that begins in the skin or in tissue that lines or covers internal organs

• Sarcoma – cancer that arises from bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue

• Leukemia – cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow

• Lymphoma and myeloma – cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system

• Central nervous system cancers – cancers that begin in the tissue of the brain or spinal cord

The cancers that are diagnosed with the greatest frequency in the United States are bladder cancer, breast cancer, colorectal...