The Many Types of Cancer
What is cancer? Simply put, it is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in your body. These abnormal cells crowd your normal cells, making it difficult for your body to function as it should. Eventually, those abnormal cells can form into big masses, called tumors. These tumors can either be noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant).
Tumors: Benign vs. Malignant
The word “cancer” itself refers to malignant tumors. As the more dangerous of the two tumor types, malignant tumors multiply before penetrating and harming your body’s tissues, leading to serious health issues and possibly premature death. Receiving regular medical checkups is incredibly important, so that potential malignancies can be spotted and treated as early as possible.
Unlike malignant tumors, benign tumors will not invade neighboring tissues, but they also can grow in size and cause health problems. Eventually, a benign tumor may press against vital structures in your body, including your nerves and blood vessels. In these cases, benign tumors will require treatment.
Types of Cancer
Each type of cancer merits a different form of treatment. Depending on the type you have, the oncologists at Regional Cancer Care Associates will recommend the most effective plan for you. But for all patients, our goal is to prevent the spread of cancer. To do this, our staff is expert in a wide range of cancer types, including:
- Bladder cancer: About 81,000 new cases occur annually, making it the fourth most common cancer type in men, with slightly fewer cases diagnosed in women
- Brain cancer: Between 100,000 and 200,000 people in the United States are affected by this disease
- Breast cancer: Every 2 minutes, another woman in the United States is diagnosed with breast cancer
- Cervical cancer: One of the most treatable forms of cancer. Pap smears help target and prevent this disease early on
- Colon cancer: This common cancer is diagnosed each year in about 100,000 Americans
- Esophageal cancer: Approximately 17,650 new cases are diagnosed annually in the United States per the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). The two most common forms are adenocarcinomas (AC) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCC)
- Fallopian-tube cancer: Once thought to be rare, most ovarian cancers start as this type
- Head & neck cancer: About 75% of these cancers are caused by alcohol and tobacco use
- Kidney cancer: This cancer occurs in more than 60,000 people annually, but is highly treatable
- Leukemia: This disease is different from other cancers because it affects your blood, bone marrow, and potentially your lymph glands
- Liver cancer: Approximately 42,000 new cases are reported annually in the United States per the American Cancer Society. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type
- Lung cancer: The second most common cancer in the United States, lung cancer also exacts the highest cancer-related death toll
- Lymphoma: A common form of cancer whose incidence rates have risen over the last few years
- Mesothelioma: A rare disease, mesothelioma affects the thin layer of cells lining the chest and stomach
- Multiple myeloma: This condition occurs when your bone marrow produces abnormal cells
- Pancreatic cancer: One of the most difficult cancers to detect and manage, requiring aggressive treatment
- Prostate cancer: One in nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime
- Ovarian cancer: Women with ovarian cancer may develop epithelial, germ cell, or stromal tumors
- Rectal cancer: The earlier this slow-growing cancer is detected, the easier it is to treat
- Skin cancer: This condition results when DNA damage in skin cells triggers genetic mutations
- Stomach cancer: A less common form of cancer, affecting about 28,000 Americans per year
- Testicular cancer: Diagnosed in 1 in 250 men/boys annually per the ASCO. The two main types are non-seminomas (more common, involving numerous cell types) and seminomas.
- Thyroid cancer: This cancer begins in the thyroid gland, located in the front of the neck
- Uterine cancer: More than 60,000 new cases of endometrial cancer and sarcomas are diagnosed each year
Comprehensive Cancer Care from Regional Cancer Care Associates
For more information about these different types of cancer or to make an appointment, contact us today. You can also visit one of our convenient locations throughout Connecticut, Maryland, and New Jersey for speedy, compassionate care.