Types of cancer

1. Carcinomas

Definition: Cancers that arise from epithelial cells lining the skin, glands, and internal organs.

Common Examples:

Adenocarcinoma: Originates in glandular tissues (e.g., breast, colon, prostate).

Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Arises in flat cells (e.g., skin, esophagus, cervix).

Basal Cell Carcinoma: A common skin cancer.

Symptoms: May include visible lumps, sores, or changes in organ function.

 

2. Sarcomas

Definition: Cancers arising in connective or supportive tissues like bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, or blood vessels.

Common Examples:

Osteosarcoma: Bone cancer, often in children and adolescents.

Liposarcoma: Affects fat tissues.

Angiosarcoma: Affects blood or lymphatic vessels.

Symptoms: Swelling, pain, or a noticeable lump in the affected area.

 

3. Leukemias

Definition: Cancers of the blood or bone marrow caused by abnormal production of white blood cells.

Types:

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML).

Symptoms: Fatigue, frequent infections, bleeding, and anemia.

Treatment: Often treated with chemotherapy and sometimes bone marrow transplantation.

 

4. Lymphomas

Definition: Cancers of the lymphatic system, including lymph nodes, spleen, and thymus

Symptoms: Swollen lymph nodes, fever, night sweats, weight loss.

 

5. Myelomas

Definition: Cancers that develop in plasma cells in the bone marrow.

Example: Multiple Myeloma.

Symptoms: Bone pain, fractures, anemia, and kidney dysfunction.

 

6. Melanomas

Definition: A type of skin cancer originating from melanocytes (pigment-producing cells).

Risk Factors: UV exposure, fair skin.

Symptoms: Moles that change shape, size, or color; unusual skin lesions.

 

7. Neuroendocrine Tumors

Definition: Tumors arising from neuroendocrine cells, which produce hormones.

Examples:

Carcinoid Tumors: Typically found in the lungs or digestive tract.

Pheochromocytomas: Found in the adrenal glands.

Symptoms: Hormonal imbalances, flushing, diarrhea.

 

8. Germ Cell Tumor

Definition: Cancers originating in germ cells (cells that produce eggs or sperm).

Common Locations: Testes, ovaries, or other areas like the chest.

Examples:

Testicular Cancer: Includes seminomas and non-seminomas.

Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors: Rare and often curable.

Symptoms: Swelling or lumps in the affected organ.

 

9. Blastomas

Definition: Cancers originating from immature or embryonic tissue.

Examples:

Neuroblastoma: Affects the adrenal glands or sympathetic nervous system.

Retinoblastoma: Affects the eyes.

Hepatoblastoma: Affects the liver.

 

10. Rare Cancers

Examples:

Mesothelioma: Cancer of the lining of the lungs (pleura).

Thymoma: Affects the thymus gland.

Chordoma: A rare cancer of the spine or base of the skull.