Cancer types
Cancers are usually named for the organ, tissue or cell where they begin—even when they later spread elsewhere.
Major groups
Carcinomas
Begin in cells covering internal and external body surfaces. Many breast, lung, colorectal, prostate and skin cancers are carcinomas.
Sarcomas
Begin in bone or soft tissues such as muscle, fat, blood vessels and connective tissue.
Leukemias
Begin in blood-forming tissue such as bone marrow and commonly involve abnormal blood cells.
Lymphoma & myeloma
Begin in immune-system cells, including lymphocytes or plasma cells.
Brain & spinal tumors
Named by their cell type and location within the central nervous system.
Childhood cancers
Often differ biologically from adult cancers and should be treated by pediatric oncology specialists.
Explore common cancer types
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A cancer’s molecular features can affect treatment. Two cancers in the same organ may behave differently, so pathology and biomarker results matter.