In our last blog, we described what cancer is. In this blog, we’ll outline the different types of cancer (listed below). A starting point to understanding the different types of cancer is to understand how a particular type of cancer gets its name. Cancers are named based on their appearance & what part of the body they originate in. For example, breast cancer is named “breast cancer” because the cancer is located in breast tissue. Lung cancer is named “lung cancer” because the cancer is located in lung tissue & so on. It’s important to note, however, that even if the cancer progresses (i.e. metastasizes) to other body parts, it is still named based on its original location. For example, breast cancer which has metastases that go to the lung(s) isn’t called “lung cancer,” it’s called “metastatic breast cancer.”
Breast Cancer – the number one cause of lymphedema in the United States
- Ductal carcinoma in situ
- Lobular carcinoma in situ
- Invasive ductal carcinoma
- Invasive lobular carcinoma
- Inflammatory breast cancer
Lung Cancer
- Small-cell lung cancer
- Non-small-cell lung cancer
Skin Cancer
- Melanoma
- Basal cell carcinoma
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- Neuroendocrine carcinoma
Gastrointestinal Cancer
- Esophageal
- Stomach
- Liver
- Pancreas
- Colon & Rectum
Genitourinary Cancers (cancer of sexual organs & urinary organs)
- Prostate
- Cervix
- Bladder
- Kidney
Hematological Cancers (cancer of the blood & stem cells)
- Leukemia
- Lymphoma
- Multiple Myeloma
Head & Neck Cancers
- Oral cavity
- Nasal cavity
- Thyroid gland
- Pharynx
Sarcomas (cancerous tumors of soft tissue & bone anywhere in the body)
- Osteosarcomas (primary bone sarcomas)
- Soft tissue sarcoma (such as tumors arising from fat tissue, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, etc.)
Brain & Spinal Cord Tumors
- Glioma (tumors that start in glial cells)
- Meningioma (tumors that start in the outer lining of the brain)
- Acoustic Neuromas & Schwannomas (tumors that develop from Schwann cells – which line the cranial & peripheral nerves)
- Medulloblastoma (which arise from fetal cells in the cerebellum; more commonly found in children but they can be found in adults)
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/showallcancertypes/index
Smith-Gabai, Helene (2011). Occupational Therapy in Acute Care, p. 416-426. Maryland: The American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.
Coleman, Norman, MD (2006). Understanding Cancer, p. 43-45. Baltimore: The John Hopkins University Press.
