Common types of cancer: a general overview
Cancers are usually named after the part of the body or type of cell where they begin. This is a broad, educational overview — not a diagnostic tool.
There are over a hundred kinds of cancer. They are often grouped by where they start:
- Carcinomas begin in the skin or the tissue lining organs (for example breast, lung, prostate, colon). These are the most common group.
- Sarcomas begin in bone or soft tissues such as muscle, fat or blood vessels.
- Leukaemias begin in blood-forming tissue, such as bone marrow.
- Lymphomas begin in the immune system's cells.
Some of the cancers most often discussed worldwide include breast, lung, colorectal, prostate and skin cancers. How common each is varies by region, age and other factors.
This overview is for general understanding only. If you have a concern about a specific symptom or risk, a doctor can advise you properly.
Common questions
Which cancers are most common?
Globally, breast, lung, colorectal and prostate cancers are among the most frequently diagnosed, but this varies by country, sex and age. Recognised health authorities publish up-to-date statistics.