Types

This condition is the formation of cancerous growths in the colon (called colon cancer) and in the rectum (called rectal cancer).

This type of cancer forms in the lining of the stomach or the intestines. It is a slow-growing cancer that results in one or more tumors. This cancer can spread from the gastrointestinal tract to the liver. Carcinoid tumors are less common than many other forms of cancer.

This cancer begins in a woman's uterus. That's the hollow organ we call the "womb," where a fetus grows during pregnancy. The cancer forms in the endometrial tissue. That's a layer of cells lining the inside of the womb.

This type of cancer develops in your esophagus. The esophagus is the organ that carries food and liquids from your throat to your stomach. It is a muscular tube lined with specialized cells.

This is a cancer of your lower throat. It affects the part of your throat called the "hypopharynx." It's the entrance to your esophagus (the tube that carries food to your stomach).

This cancer usually forms in the cells that line the inside of the stomach. These cells produce your stomach's protective mucus layer. Stomach cancer is not as common as other cancers. It can spread to other parts of the body if it is not treated in its early stages.

This is a cancer that forms in a part of your oral cavity. That includes your lips, tongue, mouth and throat. Oral cancers can be serious and hard to treat. They can spread through your lymphatic system to other parts of your body.

This is a cancer of your middle throat. It affects the part of your throat called the "oropharynx." This includes the throat's side and back walls, and the soft palate. It also includes the back of your tongue and your tonsils.

This video will teach patients what breast cancer is, its stages, and common treatments.

This form of cancer is a growth of abnormal cells in the breast tissue. Let's take a moment to learn more about this common disease.

Cervical cancer happens here, in the cervix. It's the lower part of a woman's womb (or uterus). If this cancer is found early, it can be cured. If left untreated, it can spread to other parts of your body.

This is a growth of cancer cells in one or both of your ovaries. These organs are part of a woman's reproductive system. They make your egg cells. They also make hormones.

This video will teach patients what lung cancer is, its stages, and common treatments.

This is an abnormal growth of lung tissue cells. It can affect one or both of your lungs. In the United States, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in men and women.

This type of cancer is a slow-growing tumor. It forms in the walls of the large airways near the center of the lungs, or in the smaller airways near the lungs' outer edges. Carcinoid tumors are less common than many other forms of cancer. Some carcinoid tumors can spread from the lungs to other parts of the body.

This disease is a type of tumor that begins in the main cells of the liver. The liver is a large gland organ in your upper abdomen. It performs many roles, including helping break down and store nutrients.

This video will teach patients what prostate cancer is, its stages, and common treatments.

This is a common cancer in men. It forms in the prostate. That's a small gland at the base of the male bladder. Prostate cancer usually grows slowly, but it can spread to other parts of your body.

Testicular cancer is cancer that begins in the testicles. Most testicular cancer patients are men 20 to 40 years old. This video offers details on who is at risk for this type of cancer and how this cancer is diagnosed.

This video will teach patients what pancreatic cancer is, its stages, and common treatments.

This disease begins in the cells of the pancreas. Your pancreas is an important gland in your upper abdomen. It secretes hormones such as insulin. It also secretes enzymes that help digestion. Pancreatic cancer develops when cells in the pancreas mutate. Doctors are not sure what causes this to occur.

This video will teach patients what leukemia is, its stages, and common treatments.

The doctor says your blood is making you sick. You have "leukemia." What does that mean, exactly? Well, let's find out.

This is a cancer of the blood cells. Commonly it involves your white blood cells, but leukemia can also affect red blood cells and platelets. Leukemia results in abnormal blood cells that don't work properly.

This video will teach patients what lymphoma is, its stages, and common treatments.

This is a cancer of the lymphatic system. This system clears infections and manages fluids in your body. It is an important part of your immune system.

This is a cancer of the lymphatic system. This system helps clear infections and manage fluids throughout your body. It's an important part of your immune system.

This is a swelling of part of your body. Often, it involves an arm or a leg. Lymphedema is linked to improper drainage of your lymphatic system. This system of vessels, ducts and nodes carries infection-fighting lymph fluid throughout your body.

This is a cancer that forms in the mesothelium. That's a thin layer of tissue around many of your organs. Most often, this cancer affects the tissue around your lungs. But it can form in other places. It can develop in the tissue that lines the heart, abdomen or testicles.

This type of cancer forms in blood cells called plasma cells. These are special white blood cells that help your immune system. They mainly stay inside your bone marrow, a soft, spongy tissue found in your large bones. Your bone marrow is where new blood cells are made. If you have multiple myeloma, your marrow becomes crowded with cancerous plasma cells. They crowd out healthy blood cells. They produce abnormal proteins that cause problems in your body.

This video will teach patients what skin cancer is, its stages, and common treatments.

This is the most common form of cancer. We often see it on skin that gets a lot of sun. This includes your head, face, neck, arms and hands. Anyone can get skin cancer. But it's more common in people who have fair skin, red or blonde hair and light-colored eyes.

This is a tumor in your meninges. These thin layers of protective tissue surround your brain and spinal cord. Most meningiomas are not cancerous. They usually grow slowly.

This is a cancer that begins in your bladder. This muscular organ stores your urine and pushes it out of your body when you urinate. Bladder cancer most commonly affects older people. Without proper treatment, it can spread to other parts of your body.

This disease, also called renal cancer, is a condition in which abnormal cells grow in one or both kidneys. The kidneys are fist-sized organs that filter blood and produce urine. In adults, the most common type of kidney cancer is renal cell carcinoma. This cancer develops inside the lining of small tubes found in the kidney's cortex and medulla regions.

This is an abnormal growth of cells in your thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland. Your thyroid is located in the base of your neck. The hormones it produces help regulate your metabolism, heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature.

This is an uncommon type of cancer that forms in soft tissues of the body. Soft tissue sarcomas can develop in fat, muscle, or fibrous tissues. They can form in tissues of the blood vessels or nerves. They are most often found in the arms, legs or abdomen, but they can develop in any part of the body. This cancer can also spread from one part of the body to another.

This cancer forms in a gland that makes your saliva. There are three pairs of these glands, and they're on both sides of your face. Salivary gland cancer can form in any of them.

Cancer cells can spread from one part of the body to another. When this happens, the cancer is said to have metastasized. When cancer spreads far from a primary tumor and begins to invade other organs, bones or tissues, this is called metastatic disease. It can be very difficult to treat, but some people live with this disease for a long time.

This is the name given to a large group of rare, chronic genetic disorders. These are diseases of the immune system. A person who has a PI has a weaker-than-normal immune system. There are hundreds of primary immunodeficiency diseases. Some are serious, and some are mild.

This is a cancer that began elsewhere in your body and then spread to your brain, forming one or more tumors. Many different cancers can spread this way. These tumors are actually more common than tumors that begin in the brain's own tissues.

This is when cancer spreads to your spine from somewhere else in your body. It can form one or more tumors. It may invade healthy bone and tissues. And it may spread throughout your spine.

This is the collective name for a group of bone marrow disorders. Bone marrow is a soft, spongy tissue found inside the large bones in your body. It's where new blood cells are made. With MDS, also called "bone marrow failure disorder," the marrow does not produce enough healthy blood cells.

This is a cancerous bone tumor. It tends to affect growing teens and people over age 60. Although osteosarcoma may form in any bone, we most often see it in a large bone near a growth plate. That's the part of the bone that expands as you grow.

This cancer is most often found in males between the ages of 15 and 35. It can form in one or both testicles (also called the "testes"). These reproductive organs make sperm and sex hormones.

People with this syndrome have dark moles around the mouth, nose, and eyes, as well as multiple polyps in the intestines.

Once cancer has been diagnosed, the next step is to choose the best way to treat it. To help do this, your healthcare provider checks how deep the cancer has grown and if it has spread. (This is called the cancer stage.)

Once cancer has been diagnosed, the next step is to choose the best way to treat it. To help do this, your healthcare provider checks what the cancer cells look like under a microscope. (This is called the cancer grade.).

Cystoscopy is a way for your healthcare provider to get a close look at the inside of your bladder. If cancer is found, it may be taken out during this procedure. This is called transurethral resection (TUR).

Some types of bladder tumors are hard to remove completely with surgery. In certain cases, special medicines that kill cancer cells may be put right inside the bladder. This is called intravesical therapy. It may be a choice if you have a hard-to-remove tumor. Or it may be done after surgery to help keep the cancer from coming back.

Learn about how radiation is used to treat bladder cancer, including what to expect before, during, and after treatment.

A bone marrow biopsy involves removing a small sample of the bone marrow inside your bones for testing. Read on to learn what to expect before, during, and after this procedure.

Treatment for a brain tumor may involve internal or external radiation.

In some cases, a brain tumor may be treated by placing radioactive seends directly in or near the tumor.

A brain tumor can cause symptoms. Learn about what kinds of medicines can help.

Chemotherapy for a brain tumor uses medicine to interrupt the life cycle of the cancer cells. It can cause a number of side effects. Learn what you can to manage them.

Coping with a brain tumor is no doubt 1 of the most difficult things you might face. These tips can help you during this time.

Learn about the healthcare providers you will work with as you get treatment for a brain tumor.

Treatment for brain tumors may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these 3. The guidelines provided here are for general care.

Ependymoma is a rare type of tumor of the brain or spinal cord. It can occur in both children and adults. In adults, it is often in the spinal cord. The tumor may not be cancer (benign), or it may be cancer.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a fast-growing brain tumor. It's the most common type of brain cancer tumor in adults. GBMs occur most often in adults ages 45 to 70.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a type of brain cancer tumor. Treatment is often done with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Here's what you need to know.

This is breast cancer that has spread to other parts of your body. We also call it "stage IV" breast cancer. This is the most advanced stage. It can affect you in different ways, depending on where the cancer cells have moved to.

When you have breast cancer, we rate your cancer on a scale from 0 to IV. This is the "stage" of your cancer. It tells us a little bit about your cancer, and helps us decide on a care plan. Let's learn about the five basic stages.

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is an aggressive cancer that can be hard to detect.

Mastectomy is surgery to remove a breast. It's most often done to treat breast cancer, or to keep cancer from spreading. After a mastectomy, reconstruction can be done to rebuild the breast shape and restore its appearance.

Estrogen is one of the female hormones. Sometimes breast cancer cells use estrogen to grow and multiply. Hormone therapy is a way to reduce the action of estrogen on these cells.

Your mammogram results will be given a number of 0 through 6. This rating system is known as the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS).

Stereotactic breast biopsy is used to take tiny samples of your breast tissue that can be studied under a microscope. This procedure uses X-rays to find the tissue to be removed.

As you recover from breast surgery, your healthcare provider will tell you when it is safe to begin exercising, what kind of exercises you should do, and how much exercising you should do.

After breast surgery or radiation, fluid may collect and cause swelling in the arm and chest on the side of the treatment. This is called lymphadema. These tips can help you care for yourself after surgery.

If you have breast cancer, you will have many treatment choices. Your choices may include one or more types of adjuvant therapy. These are treatments used in addition to surgery.

Several surgical procedures are used to treat breast cancer. The goal of each is to remove the cancer. Based on medical factors and your own feelings, you and your surgeon will decide which approach may be best for you.

Having breast cancer means cells in the breast have changed (mutated) and are growing out of control. Read on to learn about the different types and stages of breast cancer.

Your surgeon can help you decide whether to have reconstructive surgery. You will be advised to wait if now is not the best time for you. Breast reconstruction can be done during or after a mastectomy. One kind of reconstruction is the breast implant. A sac of fluid is inserted during surgery to re-form the shape of a breast.

A flap procedure uses your own tissue to form the shape of a breast. There are 2 kinds of flap procedures: the TRAM flap and the LD flap.

Lumpectomy is surgery to remove cancer. It's a breast-conserving surgery, which means your breast remains intact. If you're having a lumpectomy, you'll probably also have radiation therapy.

Mastectomy is surgery to remove the breast. The most commonly done mastectomies are called simple and modified radical. During these procedures, the chest muscle is not removed. As a result, arm strength remains. Keeping the chest muscle also makes reconstruction easier.

The length of your hospital stay depends on the type of surgery you have. You'll be given instructions to follow during recovery. Some women feel fine within a month. Others need more time.

Successful treatment of your cancer is the first step toward a healthy future. Now you can begin a follow-up program. This lifelong program should include visits to your healthcare provider, regular mammograms, and knowing how your chest/breast normally looks and feels so you can notice any changes right away.

You just had a procedure to remove a lump or a small piece of tissue from your breast. After surgery, be sure to have an adult drive you home. Ask your healthcare provider when you will get the results of the biopsy.

A surgical breast biopsy requires an incision in the skin. This allows your doctor to take a large piece of tissue from the breast. Sometimes the whole lump is removed.

A surgical breast biopsy is done to remove a small piece of tissue from the breast. This tissue is then sent to a lab to be studied. Most surgical breast biopsies are done in a hospital or clinic. They are performed on an outpatient basis.

Needle breast biopsies can be done in a doctor's office or in an outpatient setting. A needle or special probe is used to remove samples through the skin.

During a sentinel node breast biopsy, your surgeon removes the first lymph node or nodes that cancer could reach. These are screened to see if cancer cells have traveled out of the breast.

Waiting for biopsy results is never easy. But you will know your results within days. You may get the results during a follow-up visit with your provider. Or your provider may call you with the results.

After surgery, your body needs time to recover. You will receive information about helping your body heal and what you can and cannot do. This sheet can help you know what to watch for and when to call your doctor.

You are being treated for breast cancer or precancer. The cancer or precancerous tissue was removed with surgery. This may have been done with a lumpectomy. Or it may have been with a total mastectomy. Here is information that includes allowed activities and home care.

Prophylactic mastectomy is the surgical removal of one or both breasts in an effort to prevent or reduce the risk of breast cancer. There are several reasons women choose this surgery. You talked to your healthcare provider about these reasons before your surgery. This sheet can help you care for yourself at home.

Breast cancer is rare in men, but it does occur. Being older than 60 is one risk factor.

As you recover from breast surgery, your doctor will tell you when it is safe to begin exercising, what kind of exercises you should do, and how much exercising you should do.

A cervical biopsy removes a small piece of tissue from your cervix. This tissue is sent to a lab to check for any problems with your cervix, such as precancerous conditions or cancer.

Colorectal cancer (cancer in the colon or rectum) is a leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. But it doesn't have to be. When this cancer is found and removed early, the chances of a full recovery are very good.

Staging cancer determines whether it has spread, and if so, how far. Knowing the cancer stage helps the healthcare provider make the best treatment plan.

A gastrointestinal stromal tumor is a rare type of cancer. It occurs in the gastrointestinal or digestive tract.

Lung cancer treatment can be stressful. Knowing the benefits of palliative care can help ease that stress.

Surgery can be done to both diagnose and treat lung cancer. In most cases, surgery is used if the cancer is found in an early stage. You will need to prepare. Work with your healthcare provider to learn more about what to expect before, during, and after surgery.

Surgery is often done to get a closer look at the inside of the lungs and to help treat lung problems.

Lung cancer causes some cells in the lungs to grow out of control. These cells are called cancer cells. Cancer cells can spread to other areas in the lungs. Or, they can travel to other parts of the body.

You have been diagnosed with lung cancer, the abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells in the lung. Treatment for lung cancer may include surgery, chemotherapy (or other medicines), radiation therapy, or a combination of these. This sheet helps you remember how to care for yourself after treatment.

If your healthcare provider thinks you may have lung cancer, they will most likely order a number of tests. These tests can diagnose lung cancer and reveal the type of cancer, where it's located, and if, or how much, it has spread. Test results may also help your healthcare provider plan treatment.

Having a plan for your future can be a great source of comfort. You can help make sure you get the type of care you want. Or, if someone else needs to decide about your treatment, you can choose that person ahead of time. By taking care of these details, you may feel more at ease.

When living with lung cancer, you need to do all you can to stay strong. Maintain your weight by eating plenty of food. Being active helps you improve both your physical and mental health. Taking these steps can also help limit certain side effects of your treatment.

You are having lung surgery. To evaluate your lungs and nearby areas, tests may be done. You may have had some of these tests. Others may be scheduled before your surgery. Your healthcare provider uses the information gathered during these tests to help plan your surgery and treatment.

Low-dose cancer screening can reduce the risk of dying from lung cancer for those at high risk.

A catheter is put in place to help drain excess fluid from around your lung. Too much fluid around your lung is called pleural effusion.

You have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, the abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells in the pancreas. Treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these three. This sheet helps you remember how to care for yourself after treatment.

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. Here's what to expect if you have surgery for melanoma removal.

Skin cancer is a serious disease that can affect anyone. It is the most common form of cancer. If caught early, skin cancer can often be treated with success. But in some cases, it is life-threatening. To play it safe, start doing monthly skin checkups. If you see any changes in your skin, contact your doctor right away.

Doing monthly skin checkups is the best way to find new marks or skin changes. During your skin checkups, look for changes in the size, shape, color, or elevation of your skin growths. Note, too, if your growths bleed, itch, or are painful.

Relaxing in the sun may feel good, but it isn't good for your skin. In fact, being exposed to the sun's harmful rays is a major cause of skin cancer. Follow these tips to protect your skin.

Tumor excision is surgery to remove a tumor. Frozen section is a tool that can be used during surgery. It helps to determine how much of a tumor needs to be removed and that the margins are clear of dangerous cells.

Mohs surgery is done to help treat skin cancer. During the surgery, a thin section of the tumor and a small area around it are removed. The removed tissue is looked at right away under a microscope. The process is then repeated.

Sometimes a type of skin cancer called melanoma can grow in or near the mole. In other cases, a mole may be bothersome. In either case, removal (excision) of a problem mole can be done.

There are many treatments for prostate cancer. The best one for you will be based on things like your age, overall health, and the stage of the cancer.

When you're living with prostate cancer, it's important to stay as healthy as possible. Proper diet and exercise help you fight the disease. Here are some tips that really make a difference.

Prostate needle biopsy is a test to look for prostate cancer. During the test, a thin, hollow needle is used to take small samples of tissue from the prostate. The samples are then tested in a lab.

Prostate cancer cells need androgens to grow. Reducing the amount of androgens in the body or blocking prostate cancer cells from using them can help treat prostate cancer. This therapy does not cure the cancer, but it can help control it. It may be used alone. Or it may be used with radiation therapy to help make this treatment more effective.

This test is mainly used to diagnose prostate cancer and see if it has spread. It may also be used to help with a biopsy of prostate tissue.

You may need a prostate ultrasound if your healthcare provider thinks you may have prostate cancer . Read on to learn about the test.

PSA, an ingredient of semen, is made by the prostate. Some PSA naturally leaks from the prostate into the bloodstream. The PSA test measures the amount of PSA in the blood. Read on for details about the test.

Cancer that starts in the prostate is called prostate cancer. It can grow and spread beyond the prostate, threatening health and life. Here's what you need to know.

Cancer that has spread beyond the prostate can often be treated. Hormone therapy can slow the growth and spread of the cancer. Chemotherapy may help relieve symptoms and control the cancer. Cancer pain can be managed with medications.

Treatment can often keep prostate cancer under control. Your healthcare team will advise a treatment plan for you. Learn more about how this is done.

Radical prostatectomy is surgery to remove the entire prostate. It may be done if tests show that the cancer is only in the prostate.

A transrectal ultrasound is an imaging test to check a man's prostate gland. Tissue samples (a biopsy) may also be taken.

No matter what type of treatment you choose, life with prostate cancer can be challenging. Your goal during treatment should be to live as normal a life as possible. Your health care team can help you to cope with any physical and emotional issues. The support of your family and friends can help, too.

Radiation therapy is one way to destroy cancer cells. Cancer cells die for months after the therapy ends. Radiation can be given from outside or from inside the body. Radiation given from inside the prostate gland is called internal radiation. It's also known as interstitial brachytherapy.

Screening for prostate cancer can help check if you have cancer. Screening tests often include a digital rectal exam (DRE) and a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test. Talk with your healthcare provider about the pros and cons of regular screening starting at age 50 or earlier if you are at higher risk.

Low-grade cancers are more similar to normal tissue. High-grade cancers differ from normal tissue in the way cells are organized, and in cell size and shape. The higher the grade, the faster the cancer is likely to be growing.

Should you be screened yearly for prostate cancer, even if you have no symptoms? Experts disagree. Below are some factors to think about as you make a decision.

Staging of cancer is a way of noting how big the cancer is and if it has spread. The stage is important in helping to decide on treatment choices.

Learn about the different types of thyroid cancer as well as treatment options.

The most common treatment for thyroid cancer is thyroidectomy, the surgical removal of the thyroid gland. Here is information on how to care for yourself after surgery.