Five main types of cancer

Five main types of cancer
Although there are over 200 types of cancer, they can be grouped into five main types.

Carcinomas
Most cancers (85 per cent of cancers) are carcinomas. These start in the cells that line internal and external body surfaces. The commonest carcinomas are lung cancer, breast cancer and bowel cancer.

Sarcomas

Sarcomas begin in supportive tissues of the body, such as muscle, bone, cartilage, fat and connective tissue.

Leukaemias
The leukaemias are cancers of the blood cells that grow in the bone marrow, which are found in the bloodstream.

Lymphomas

Lymphomas develop in the lymph nodes and tissues of the immune system.

Adenomas

Adenomas are tumours (often benign) that begin in glandular tissue, such as the pituitary gland or thyroid.