What are the Different Types of Cancer in Human Beings

In a healthy body, the trillions of cells that comprise it develop and divide as the body requires them to operate regularly. Healthy cells have a distinct life cycle, multiplying and dying off in ways specified by the cell type. As old or damaged cells die, new ones replace them. Cancer interrupts this mechanism, causing aberrant cell proliferation. Changes or mutations in DNA cause it. Every cell has DNA in the form of unique genes. It contains instructions that advise the cell on what functions to execute as well as how to grow and divide. Mutations occur regularly in DNA, although cells generally repair these errors. A cell can become malignant if a mistake is not repaired. There are various types of cancer. Get a complete list of the types of cancer in this article below.

Types of Cancer

Mutations can allow cells that should be replaced to live rather than die, as well as new cells to develop when they are not required. These excess cells can divide uncontrolled, resulting in the formation of tumours. Tumours can cause a wide range of health issues depending on where they develop in the body. However, not all tumours are malignant. Noncancerous benign tumours do not spread to neighbouring tissues. When they push against surrounding organs and tissue, they can get big and create difficulties. Malignant tumours are malignant and can spread to other areas of the body. Some cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body via the circulation or lymphatic system. This is known as metastasis.

 

 

Cancers that have spread to other parts of the body are regarded as more advanced than those that have not. Metastatic malignancies are more difficult to cure and more deadly.

What are the types of cancer?

Cancer is not a single illness, but rather a set of disorders that cause cells in the body to alter and grow uncontrollably. Cancers are categorised based on the type of fluid or tissue from which they originate, as well as the region in the body where they initially appeared. Furthermore, some tumours are of mixed kinds.

The five major groups listed below represent cancer tissue and blood classifications.

1. Carcinoma

A carcinoma is a kind of cancer that develops in epithelial tissue, which covers or lines the surfaces of organs, glands, or bodily structures. A carcinoma, for example, is a cancer of the stomach lining. Many carcinomas affect secretion-related organs or glands, such as the breasts, which produce milk. Carcinomas are responsible for 80-90 per cent of all cancer cases.

Types of carcinoma include:

• Melanoma
• Basal cell carcinoma
• Squamous cell skin cancer
• Merkel cell carcinoma

2. Sarcoma

Sarcoma is a cancerous tumour that develops from connective tissues such as cartilage, fat, muscle, tendons, and bones. The most common sarcoma, a bone tumour, generally affects young individuals. Sarcomas include osteosarcoma (bone) and chondrosarcoma (feet) (cartilage).

Types of sarcoma include:

• Soft tissue sarcoma
• Osteosarcoma
• Ewing’s sarcoma
• Chondrosarcoma

3. Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a kind of cancer that begins in the lymphatic system’s nodes or glands, which generate white blood cells and clean bodily fluids, or in organs such as the brain and breast. Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-lymphoma Hodgkin’s are the two types of lymphomas.

Types of lymphoma include:

• Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Cutaneous lymphoma

4. Leukemia

Leukaemia, commonly known as blood cancer, is a bone marrow disease that prevents the marrow from generating normal red, white, and platelets. To fight infection, white blood cells are required. To avoid anaemia, red blood cells are required. Platelets protect the body against bruising and bleeding. Acute myelogenous leukaemia, chronic myelogenous leukaemia, acute lymphocytic leukaemia, and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia are all types of leukaemia. The words myelogenous and lymphocytic refer to the kind of cells involved.

Types of leukaemia include:

• Acute lymphocytic leukaemia
• Acute myeloid leukaemia
• Agnogenic myeloid leukaemia
• Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
• Chronic myeloid leukaemia
• Essential thrombocythemia (ET)
• Hairy cell leukaemia
• Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)

Most common types of Cancer

1. Breast cancer

After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in American women.

Estimated yearly new cases:

• Female: 268,600
• Male: 2,670

Estimated yearly deaths:

• Female: 41,760
• Male: 500

5-year survival rate:

• Female: 90 per cent (2008–2014)

2. Lung cancer (including bronchus)

The second most common cancer, lung cancer, is the leading cause of cancer death.

To lower your risk of lung and bronchus cancer, it’s recommended that you stop smoking.

• estimated yearly new cases: 228,150
• estimated yearly deaths: 142,670
• 5-year survival rate: 23 per cent (2008–2014)

3. Prostate cancer

Typically slow-growing, prostate cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death among American men.

• estimated yearly new cases: 164,690
• estimated yearly deaths: 29,430
• 5-year survival rate: 98 per cent (2008–2014)

4. Colon and rectal cancer

Colorectal cancer refers to cancers found in the colon or rectum. Together they make up the large intestine.

• estimated yearly new cases: 145,600
• estimated yearly deaths: 51,020
• 5-year survival rate: 64 per cent (2008–2014)

5. Melanoma (skin)

Melanoma is an Oesophagalcancer that begins in specialized cells that make up the pigment that gives skin its colour (melanin).

While more common on the skin, melanomas can also form on the eye and in other pigmented tissues.

• estimated yearly new cases: 96,480
• estimated yearly deaths: 7,230
• 5-year survival rate: 92 per cent (2008–2014)

6. Bladder cancer

Bladder cancer usually affects older adults and occurs more frequently in men than it does in women.

• estimated yearly new cases: 80,470
• estimated yearly deaths: 17,670
• 5-year survival rate: 77 per cent (2008–2014)

7. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a cancer that begins in the lymphatic system. It’s characterized by tumours developing from a type of white blood cell known as lymphocytes.

• estimated yearly new cases: 74,200
• estimated yearly deaths: 19,970
• 5-year survival rate: 71 per cent (2008–2014)

8. Kidney (renal cell and renal pelvis) cancer

The most common type of kidney cancer is renal cell carcinoma which commonly develops in one kidney as a single tumour.

Renal pelvis cancer forms in the kidney’s pelvis or the ureter, the tube that carries urine to the bladder from the kidney.

• estimated yearly new cases: 73,820
• estimated yearly deaths: 14,770
• 5-year survival rate: 75 per cent (2008–2014)

9. Endometrial cancer

There are two types of uterine cancer. Endometrial cancer is common while uterine sarcoma is rare.

• estimated yearly new cases: 61,880
• estimated yearly deaths: 12,160
• 5-year survival rate: 84 per cent (2008–2014)

10. Leukemia (all types)

Leukaemias are cancers that begin in the blood-forming tissue of the bone marrow.

These cancers are characterized by large numbers of abnormal white blood cells building up in the blood and bone marrow to the point where they crowd out normal blood cells. This makes it harder for the body to distribute oxygen to its tissues, fight infections, and control bleeding.

• estimated yearly new cases: 61,780
• estimated yearly deaths: 22,840
• 5-year survival rate: 61.4 per cent (2008–2014)

11. Pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer begins in the pancreas and usually spreads rapidly to other organs nearby.

• estimated yearly new cases: 56,770
• estimated yearly deaths: 45,750
• 5-year survival rate: 9 per cent (2008–2014)

12. Thyroid cancer

While anaplastic thyroid cancer is difficult to cure, follicular, medullary, and the most common type of thyroid cancer, papillary, can usually be treated effectively with positive outcomes.

• estimated yearly new cases: 52,070
• estimated yearly deaths: 2,170
• 5-year survival rate: near 100 per cent (2008–2014)

13. Liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancer

Liver cancer includes hepatocellular carcinoma — the most common type — bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma), and hepatoblastoma.

Risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma include cirrhosis of the liver and chronic infection with hepatitis B or C.

• estimated yearly new cases: 42,030
• estimated yearly deaths: 31,780
• 5-year survival rate: 18 per cent (2008–2014)

Complete list of Cancer Types

A

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

B

• Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Skin
• Bile Duct Cancer
• Bladder Cancer
• Bone Cancer (includes Ewing Sarcoma Osteosarcoma and Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma)
• Brain Tumors
• Breast Cancer
• Bronchial Tumors (Lung Cancer)
• Burkitt Lymphoma

C

• Carcinoid Tumor (Gastrointestinal)
• Carcinoma of Unknown Primary
• Cardiac (Heart) Tumors, Childhood
• Central Nervous System
  • Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor, Childhood (Brain Cancer)
  • Medulloblastoma and Other CNS Embryonal Tumors, Childhood (Brain Cancer)
  • Germ Cell Tumor, Childhood (Brain Cancer)
  • Primary CNS Lymphoma
• Cervical Cancer
• Childhood Cancers
• Cancers of Childhood, Rare
• Cholangiocarcinoma
• Chordoma, Childhood (Bone Cancer)
• Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
• Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)
• Colorectal Cancer
• Chronic Myeloproliferative Neoplasms
• Craniopharyngioma, Childhood (Brain Cancer)
• Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma

D

• Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS)

E

• Embryonal Tumors, Medulloblastoma and Other Central Nervous System, Childhood (Brain Cancer)
• Endometrial Cancer (Uterine Cancer)
• Ependymoma, Childhood (Brain Cancer)
• Oesophageal Cancer
• Esthesioneuroblastoma (Head and Neck Cancer)
• Ewing Sarcoma (Bone Cancer)
• Extracranial Germ Cell Tumor, Childhood
• Extragonadal Germ Cell Tumor
• Eye Cancer
  • Intraocular Melanoma
  • Retinoblastoma

F

• Fallopian Tube Cancer

G

• Gallbladder Cancer
• Gastric (Stomach) Cancer
• Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumor
• Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST) (Soft Tissue Sarcoma)
• Germ Cell Tumors
  • Childhood Central Nervous System Germ Cell Tumors (Brain Cancer)
  • Childhood Extracranial Germ Cell Tumors
  • Extragonadal Germ Cell Tumors
  • Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors
  • Testicular Cancer
• Gestational Trophoblastic Disease

H

• Hairy Cell Leukemia
• Head and Neck Cancer
• Heart Tumors, Childhood
• Hepatocellular (Liver) Cancer
• Histiocytosis, Langerhans Cell
• Hodgkin Lymphoma
• Hypopharyngeal Cancer (Head and Neck Cancer)

I

• Intraocular Melanoma
• Islet Cell Tumors, Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors

K

• Kaposi Sarcoma (Soft Tissue Sarcoma)
• Kidney (Renal Cell) Cancer

L

• Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis
• Laryngeal Cancer (Head and Neck Cancer)
• Leukaemia
• Lip and Oral Cavity Cancer (Head and Neck Cancer)
• Liver Cancer
• Lung Cancer (Non-Small Cell, Small Cell, Pleuropulmonary Blastoma, and Tracheobronchial Tumor)
• Lymphoma

M

• Male Breast Cancer
• Melanoma
• Melanoma, Intraocular (Eye)
• Merkel Cell Carcinoma (Skin Cancer)
• Mesothelioma, Malignant
• Metastatic Cancer
• Metastatic Squamous Neck Cancer with Occult Primary (Head and Neck Cancer)
• Midline Tract Carcinoma With NUT Gene Changes
• Mouth Cancer (Head and Neck Cancer)
• Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndromes
• Multiple Myeloma/Plasma Cell Neoplasms
• Mycosis Fungoides (Lymphoma)
• Myelodysplastic Syndromes, Myelodysplastic/Myeloproliferative Neoplasms
• Myelogenous Leukemia, Chronic (CML)
• Myeloid Leukemia, Acute (AML)
• Myeloproliferative Neoplasms, Chronic

N

• Nasal Cavity and Paranasal Sinus Cancer (Head and Neck Cancer)
• Nasopharyngeal Cancer (Head and Neck Cancer)
• Neuroblastoma
• Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
• Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

O

• Oral Cancer, Lip and Oral Cavity Cancer and Oropharyngeal Cancer (Head and Neck Cancer)
• Osteosarcoma and Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma of Bone Treatment
• Ovarian Cancer

P

• Pancreatic Cancer
• Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors (Islet Cell Tumors)
• Papillomatosis (Childhood Laryngeal)
• Paraganglioma
• Paranasal Sinus and Nasal Cavity Cancer (Head and Neck Cancer)
• Parathyroid Cancer
• Penile Cancer
• Pharyngeal Cancer (Head and Neck Cancer)
• Pheochromocytoma
• Pituitary Tumor
• Plasma Cell Neoplasm/Multiple Myeloma
• Pleuropulmonary Blastoma (Lung Cancer)
• Pregnancy and Breast Cancer
• Primary Central Nervous System (CNS) Lymphoma
• Primary Peritoneal Cancer
• Prostate Cancer

R

• Rare Cancers of Childhood
• Rectal Cancer
• Recurrent Cancer
• Renal Cell (Kidney) Cancer
• Retinoblastoma
• Rhabdomyosarcoma, Childhood (Soft Tissue Sarcoma)

S

• Salivary Gland Cancer (Head and Neck Cancer)
• Sarcoma
  • Childhood Rhabdomyosarcoma (Soft Tissue Sarcoma)
  • Childhood Vascular Tumors (Soft Tissue Sarcoma)
  • Ewing Sarcoma (Bone Cancer)
  • Kaposi Sarcoma (Soft Tissue Sarcoma)
  • Osteosarcoma (Bone Cancer)
  • Soft Tissue Sarcoma
  • Uterine Sarcoma
• Sézary Syndrome (Lymphoma)
• Skin Cancer
• Small Cell Lung Cancer
• Small Intestine Cancer
• Soft Tissue Sarcoma
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Skin
• Squamous Neck Cancer with Occult Primary, Metastatic (Head and Neck Cancer)
• Stomach (Gastric) Cancer

T

• T-Cell Lymphoma, Cutaneous
• Testicular Cancer
• Throat Cancer (Head and Neck Cancer)
  • Nasopharyngeal Cancer
  • Oropharyngeal Cancer
  • Hypopharyngeal Cancer
• Thymoma and Thymic Carcinoma
• Thyroid Cancer
• Tracheobronchial Tumors (Lung Cancer)
• Transitional Cell Cancer of the Renal Pelvis and Ureter (Kidney (Renal Cell) Cancer)

U

• Unknown Primary, Carcinoma of
• Ureter and Renal Pelvis, Transitional Cell Cancer (Kidney (Renal Cell) Cancer
• Urethral Cancer
• Uterine Cancer, Endometrial
• Uterine Sarcoma

V

• Vaginal Cancer
• Vascular Tumors (Soft Tissue Sarcoma)
• Vulvar Cancer

W

• Wilms Tumor and Other Childhood Kidney Tumors

Conclusion

Hope you have understood the types of Cancer. You can find all such information about health education on our website. If you have any queries or questions, do let us know in the comment section below. We answer all the questions and provide information only after thorough research from trusted sources. Send this article to friends and family and let them know what are the types of Cancer.