Cancer (Oncology)

Bone cancer starts in the cells that make up your bones. It is a rare form of cancer. Cancer that begins in another part of your body and spreads to your bones is more common.

There are several types of bone tumors, including:

• Benign tumors—noncancerous growths that do not spread to other tissues or organs.
• Bone metastases—cancer that spreads from another area of your body such as your breasts, lungs or prostate and begins growing in your bones as well.
• Blood cancers—start in the blood-forming cells of your bone marrow.
• Bone cancers—malignant tumors that start in your bones called sarcomas.

A brain tumor is a mass of abnormal cells that develops in your brain. Tumors can be noncancerous or benign. This means they do not contain cancer cells. Others are metastatic, which means cancer started in another part of your body and migrated to your brain.

Brain tumors grow at different rates, depending on their type, size and location. These factors also determine the impact on your body’s ability to function. Some brain tumors may be life-threatening.

Cancers of the head and neck include cancers that originate in your head and throat, not including cancers of the eye or brain cancer. This type of cancer usually begins in the cells that line the surfaces in your mouth, nose and throat. Head and neck cancers can also start in your salivary glands. However, that type of cancer is rare.

Bladder cancer starts in the tissues of your bladder. Your bladder is a hollow, muscular organ located in your abdomen. It stores your urine. Bladder cancer often starts in the cells found in your kidneys and the tubes that connect your bladder and kidneys. They are also located in the cells that line the inside of your bladder, called urothelial cells.

Kidney cancer begins in your kidneys — bean-shaped organs about the size of your fist located on each side of your spine behind your abdomen. Your kidneys filter waste and produce urine.

There are several types of kidney cancer but the most common are:

• Renal cell carcinoma—begins in the part of your kidney that filters your blood
• Renal pelvis carcinoma—originates in the part of your kidney in which urine is collected

Your liver is the largest glandular organ in your body. It performs critical functions such as keeping your body free from toxins and filtering harmful substances. Your liver also produces bile to aid your digestive process and stores glucose to keep you nourished between meals.

Cancer that begins in your liver destroys healthy liver cells and disrupts its ability to function normally.

Your pancreas is a gland located in your abdomen behind your stomach. It produces the hormones that control your metabolism and blood sugar levels. Your pancreas also manufactures enzymes to help your body digest carbohydrates, fats and proteins.

The most common form of pancreatic cancer begins in the cells that line the ducts that create those enzymes.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in America. Nearly all skin cancers result from overexposure to ultraviolet light, including tanning booths, sunlamps and natural sunlight.

There are two main categories of skin cancer:

• Basal and squamous cell carcinoma are the most common forms of skin cancer. They occur in the basal and squamous cell layers of your skin. They tend to be slow-growing and do not spread.
• Melanoma occurs in the skin cells that make melanin, the pigment that determines your skin color. Melanoma grows aggressively and can spread throughout your body if not detected and treated in its early stages.