Common Cancers

Leukemia

• Definition of leukemia: Cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow and causes large numbers of blood cells to be produced and enter the bloodstream.

• Estimated new cases and deaths from leukemia in the United States in 2013:

• New cases: 48,610• Deaths: 23,720

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

• Definition of non-Hodgkin lymphoma: Any of a large group of cancers of lymphocytes (white blood cells). Non-Hodgkin lymphomas can occur at any age and are often marked by lymph nodes that are larger than normal, fever, and weight loss. There are many different types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. These types can be divided into aggressive (fast-growing) and indolent (slow-growing) types, and they can be formed from either B-cells or T-cells.

• Estimated new cases and deaths from non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the United States in 2013:

• New cases: 69,740• Deaths: 19,020

Thyroid Cancer

• Definition of thyroid cancer: Cancer that forms in the thyroid gland (an organ at the base of the throat that makes hormones that help control heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and weight). Four main types of thyroid cancer are papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic thyroid cancer. The four types are based on how the cancer cells look under a microscope.

• Estimated new cases and deaths from thyroid cancer in the United States in 2013:

• New cases: 60,220• Deaths: 1,850

Melanoma

• Definition of melanoma: A form of cancer that begins in melanocytes (cells that make the pigment melanin). It may begin in a mole (skin melanoma), but can also begin in other pigmented tissues, such as in the eye or in the intestines.

• Estimated new cases and deaths from melanoma in the United States in 2013:

• New cases: 76,690• Deaths: 9,480

Colon and Rectal Cancer

• Definition of colon cancer: Cancer that forms in the tissues of the colon (the longest part of the large intestine). Most colon cancers are adenocarcinomas (cancers that begin in cells that make and release mucus and other fluids).

• Definition of rectal cancer: Cancer that forms in the tissues of the rectum (the last several inches of the large intestine closest to the anus).

• Estimated new cases and deaths from colon and rectal cancer in the United States in 2013:

• New cases: 102,480 (colon); 40,340 (rectal)• Deaths: 50,830 (colon and rectal combined)

Other common cancers

• Breast/Endometrial• Testicular/Prostate• Bladder• Kidney• Pancreatic• Lung