Cancer types

Normal cancer cell division from NIH

cancer encompasses a diverse group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. Understanding the various types of cancer, their treatment options, causes, prevention strategies, screening methods, and ongoing research is essential for managing and combating these diseases effectively.

medicine research

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nano treatment

immune system

Mechanisms by which bacteria target tumors

Proton treatment

Pharmacokinetic model of drugs entering a tumor

Radiation therapy for cancer

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Clinac 2100 C accelerator in the polyclinique de Courlancy in Reims, France

What Is cancer?

cancer is a broad term for a collection of related diseases where some of the body's cells begin to divide uncontrollably and spread into surrounding tissues. This process can occur in any part of the body, leading to a myriad array of cancer types, each with its unique characteristics and treatment approaches.

Types of cancer

Cancers are systematically categorized based on their origin within the body. However, since various body parts comprise multiple tissue types, cancers are more specifically classified according to the type of cell from which they originate. This refined classification includes:

• Carcinoma: Originating from epithelial cells, carcinomas comprise a significant portion of all cancer cases, particularly among older adults. The majority of cancers in the breast, prostate, lung, pancreas, and colon fall under this category.
• Sarcoma: These cancers originate from connective tissue such as bone, cartilage, fat, and nerve. Sarcomas develop from cells that originate in mesenchymal cells outside the bone marrow.
• Lymphoma and Leukemia: Both cancers derive from immature cells within the bone marrow and are meant to differentiate into various components of the immune system and blood. Notably, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is the predominant type of cancer in children, constituting about 30% of childhood cancer cases. Nevertheless, lymphoma and leukemia are more prevalent in adults than in children.
• Germ Cell Tumor: These cancers stem from pluripotent cells, typically presenting in the testicle or ovary (as seminoma and dysgerminoma, respectively).
• Blastoma: Originating from immature "precursor" cells or embryonic tissue, blastomas are more prevalent in children than adults. Examples include neuroblastoma, retinoblastoma, nephroblastoma (Wilms tumor), hepatoblastoma, and medulloblastoma.

Naming

Cancers are generally named by appending the suffix -carcinoma, -sarcoma, or -blastoma to the Latin or Greek term for the organ or tissue of origin. For instance, liver cancer, originating from malignant epithelial cells (hepato- = liver) and developing in the liver parenchyma, is termed hepatocarcinoma. Conversely, a cancer emerging from primitive liver precursor cells is known as hepatoblastoma. Similarly, a malignancy arising from malignant fat cells is classified as liposarcoma. This naming convention helps in identifying the nature and origin of the cancer more precisely.

Treatments for cancer

Treatment options for cancer vary widely depending on the cancer type, stage, and patient's health. Common treatments include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, surgery, and targeted therapy. Each treatment aims to remove or kill cancer cells, reduce symptoms, and prevent the spread of cancer.

Common Types of cancer

The most common cancers in the United States are lung cancer, prostate cancer, and breast cancer. Each type has specific risk factors, symptoms, and treatment protocols.

Detailed Types of cancer

A

• Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
• Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
• cancer in Adolescents
• Adrenocortical Carcinoma
  • Childhood Adrenocortical Carcinoma
• AIDS-Related cancers:
  • Kaposi Sarcoma
  • AIDS-Related Lymphoma
  • Primary CNS Lymphoma
• Anal cancer
• Appendix cancer
• Astrocytomas, Childhood
• Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor, Childhood, Central Nervous System

B

• Basal cell carcinoma of the Skin
• Bile duct cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Bone cancer
• Brain tumors
• Breast cancer
• Bronchial Tumors, Childhood
• Burkitt lymphoma

C

• Carcinoid tumor (Gastrointestinal)
• Carcinoma of unknown primary
• Cardiac (Heart) Tumors, Childhood
• Cervical cancer
• Childhood cancers
• Cholangiocarcinoma
• Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
• Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)
• Chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms
• Colorectal cancer
• Craniopharyngioma, Childhood
• Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

D

• Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) - Often considered the earliest form of breast cancer, DCIS is characterized by cancer cells that are contained within the ducts of the breast and have not invaded surrounding tissue.

E

• Embryonal tumors, Central Nervous System, Childhood - These are rare tumors found in the brain or spinal cord of children and include medulloblastomas and primitive neuroectodermal tumors.
• Endometrial cancer - A type of cancer that begins in the lining of the uterus, known as the endometrium. It's the most common type of uterine cancer.
• Ependymoma, childhood - Ependymomas are gliomas that develop from ependymal cells in the brain and spinal cord, affecting children and adults differently.
• Esophageal cancer - cancer that occurs in the esophagus, the long tube that connects the throat to the stomach, presenting challenges in swallowing as a common symptom.
• Esthesioneuroblastoma - A rare type of cancer that originates in the upper part of the nasal cavity, which is involved in the sense of smell.

F

• Fallopian tube cancer - A rare cancer that starts in the fallopian tubes, part of the female reproductive system connecting the ovaries to the uterus.

G

• Gallbladder cancer - A rare disease in which malignant (cancer) cells are found in the tissues of the gallbladder.
• Gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor - Slow-growing tumors that can arise in the gastrointestinal tract, particularly in the appendix, small intestine, and rectum.
• GastrointestinalsStromal tumors (GIST) - A type of tumor that occurs in the digestive tract, most commonly in the stomach or small intestine.

H

• Hairy cell leukemia - A rare, slow-growing leukemia in which the bone marrow produces too many B cells, a type of white blood cell.
• Head andnNeck cancer - cancers that develop in the mouth, throat, nose, or surrounding areas, often linked to tobacco use, alcohol consumption, or HPV infection.
• Hepatocellular cancer - The most common type of liver cancer, usually affecting people with chronic liver diseases, such as cirrhosis.

I

• Intraocular melanoma - A rare cancer that occurs in the eye, also known as uveal or choroidal melanoma.
• Islet cell tumors, or Pancreatic neuroendocrine Tumors - Rare tumors that form in the pancreas from a type of cell called the islet cell, which produces hormones.t

K

• Kaposi sarcoma - A type of cancer that can form masses in the skin, lymph nodes, or other organs. The skin lesions are usually purple and are caused by a viral infection.
• Kidney cancer - A cancer that starts in the kidneys, with renal cell carcinoma being the most common type. It's often detected incidentally through imaging for other conditions.

L

• Langerhans cell histiocytosis - A disorder where the body produces too many Langerhans cells, a type of white blood cell. It can lead to tumors in various parts of the body.
• Laryngeal cancer - cancer that occurs in the larynx, or voice box, located in the throat. Risk factors include smoking and heavy alcohol use.
• Leukemia - A type of cancer found in your blood and bone marrow, caused by the rapid production of abnormal white blood cells. The high number of abnormal white cells are not able to fight infection, and they impair the ability of the bone marrow to produce red blood cells and platelets.

M

• Melanoma - A type of skin cancer that develops from the pigment-producing cells known as melanocytes. Melanomas can develop anywhere on the skin and are more likely to invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body.
• Multiple myeloma - A cancer of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell in bone marrow. It is characterized by an excessive production of abnormal plasma cells, which can lead to symptoms such as bone pain, weakness, and kidney problems.

N

• Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma - A large group of blood cancers that include any type of lymphoma except Hodgkin's lymphomas. These cancers affect the lymphatic system, which is part of the immune system.

O

• Ovarian cancer - A type of cancer that begins in the ovaries. It often goes undetected until it has spread within the pelvis and abdomen, making it more difficult to treat.

P

• Pancreatic cancer - A type of cancer that starts in the pancreas, an organ in the abdomen that lies behind the lower part of the stomach. Pancreatic cancer is often detected late, spreads rapidly, and has a poor prognosis.

Q

• Quality of life (QOL) Issues in cancer patients - Not a type of cancer, but an important area of cancer care and research, focusing on the overall well-being of patients and survivors.

R

• Rectal cancer - A disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the rectum. It is often treated similarly to Colorectal cancer, but treatment approaches can vary based on the exact location and stage of the cancer.

• Recurrent cancer
• Renal cell cancer
• Retinoblastoma

S

• Sarcoma - A broad group of cancers that begin in the bones and in the soft (connective) tissues (soft tissue sarcomas). These tissues include muscle, fat, blood vessels, lymph vessels, cartilage, and tendons.
• Skin cancer - The most common form of cancer, which includes basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. While basal and squamous cell are the most common and less severe, melanoma is the most aggressive.
• Small cell lung cancer - A fast-growing type of lung cancer that is usually associated with smoking. It tends to spread quickly to other parts of the body.
• Stomach cancer - Also known as gastric cancer, this type can begin in any part of the stomach and may spread throughout the stomach and to other organs.
• Soft tissue Sarcoma - A cancer that begins in the soft tissues of the body. The tissues include muscle, fat, blood vessels, nerves, tendons, and the lining of your joints.

T

• Testicular cancer - cancer that originates in the male organs known as testicles or testes, which are located inside the scrotum. It's most treatable when detected early.
• Throat cancer - Encompasses cancer in the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and hypopharynx. Risk factors include smoking, alcohol use, and HPV infection.
• Thyroid cancer - Begins in the thyroid gland, which is located at the base of the neck. It's among the most curable forms of cancer when diagnosed early.

U

• Uterine cancer - Includes endometrial cancer (most common) and uterine sarcoma. It often presents with vaginal bleeding not associated with a menstrual period.
• Urinary bladder cancer - A common type of cancer that begins in the cells of the bladder. Symptoms include blood in urine, frequent urination, and pain during urination.

V

• Vaginal cancer - cancer that forms in the tissues of the vagina. Primary vaginal cancer is rare and often diagnosed in older women.
• Vulvar cancer - A rare type of cancer that forms in the outer vaginal area. It often presents with itching, burning, or bleeding in the vulvar area.

W

• No common cancers begin with the letter W, but wellness and early detection practices are important in cancer prevention and treatment.

X

• No common cancers begin with the letter X, but advancements in radiology (such as X-rays) have played a significant role in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Y

• Young adults with cancer - While not a specific type of cancer, young adults face unique challenges when diagnosed with cancer, including issues related to fertility, employment, and long-term side effects of treatment.

Z

• No common cancers begin with the letter Z, but ongoing research and clinical trials continue to provide new insights into the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of various cancers.

Research and Innovations in cancer

The latest research in cancer seeks to uncover new treatments, improve existing therapies, and better understand the underlying mechanisms of cancer development and progression. Innovations include advancements in genomic medicine, personalized treatment plans based on genetic makeup, and novel immunotherapies that enhance the body's immune response to cancer.

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  Adenocarcinoma coli (well differentited)

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  Adenocarcinoma recti (well differentiated)

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  Carcinoma adenoides ventriculi (low differentiated)

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  Adenocarcinoma recti (moderate differentiaded)

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  Carcinoma planoepitheliale keratodes laryngis (well differentiated)

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  breast cancer (Infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the breast) dyed with H&E

Conclusion

cancer's complexity necessitates a broad approach to treatment and research. Understanding the types of cancer and their specific characteristics is crucial in developing effective treatment strategies and improving patient outcomes.