Cancer types

Cancers are usually named for the organ, tissue or cell where they begin—even when they later spread elsewhere.

Major groups

Begin in cells covering internal and external body surfaces. Many breast, lung, colorectal, prostate and skin cancers are carcinomas.

Begin in bone or soft tissues such as muscle, fat, blood vessels and connective tissue.

Begin in blood-forming tissue such as bone marrow and commonly involve abnormal blood cells.

Begin in immune-system cells, including lymphocytes or plasma cells.

Named by their cell type and location within the central nervous system.

Often differ biologically from adult cancers and should be treated by pediatric oncology specialists.

A cancer’s molecular features can affect treatment. Two cancers in the same organ may behave differently, so pathology and biomarker results matter.