Tumors in the brain can be malignant or benign and can occur at any age. Only malignant tumors are cancerous.
Various types of breast cancer exist and differ in their capacity to spread to other body tissues. Breast cancer is diagnosed through self-exams, physician exams, mammography, ultrasounds and biopsy. Treatment depends on the type and location of the breast cancer, as well as the age and health of the patient.
Most colorectal cancer is the result of polyps developing from the inner wall of the large intestine. Because colon polyps and early cancer often have no symptoms, regular screening is important.
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) usually begin in cells in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract and can be benign or malignant. Malignant GISTs can develop from the esophagus to the rectum but occur most commonly in the stomach and small intestine.
Cervical cancer occurs at entrance to the uterus, a hollow pear-shaped organ located in a woman's lower abdomen and located between the bladder and the rectum. Uterine cancer, also called endometrial cancer, occurs in the womb (the uterus). Ovarian cancer involves the reproductive egg sacs and may take many forms.
These cancers include common carcinomas of the mouth, pharynx (tube that goes into the stomach) and larynx (contains vocal cords), as well as other tumors affecting the head and neck.
A cancer of the blood cells, leukemia occurs when the growth and development of the blood cells are abnormal.
Most commonly caused by smoking (approximately 90 percent of all cases), lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among men and women in the United States. Lung cancer often goes undiagnosed until later stages so prevention is key.
The most dangerous form of skin cancer, melanoma is most common in people with fair skin but can occur in people with all skin colors. Most melanomas present as a dark molelike spot that spreads and, unlike a mole, has an irregular border. The tendency toward melanoma may be inherited, and the risk increases with overexposure to the sun and sunburn.
A malignancy of plasma cells that typically involves multiple sites within the bone morrow and secretes all or part of a monoclonal antibody.
Prostate cancer is an uncontrolled malignant growth of cells in the prostate gland, which helps control urination and forms part of the semen. Testicular cancer occurs in the male sex organ (the testicle), which normally produces the hormone testosterone.