Cancer Types
When certain cells in the body grow out of control and begin to spread, it is known as cancer. Below is a list of some cancers treated at MercyOne.
Bile Duct Cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma)
Bile duct cancer is a rare cancer that forms in your bile ducts. There are two types of bile duct cancer: intrahepatic (forms inside your liver) and extrahepatic (forms outside your liver).
Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer occurs when cells that make up your bladder grow out of control. The bladder is a hollow, balloon-shaped organ in your lower abdomen that stores urine.
Brain Tumors
A brain tumor is a growth of cells in or near your brain tissue. This can include in your nerves, pineal gland, pituitary gland and the membranes covering the surface of your brain.
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women. Most breast cancers begin in the ducts or lobules but can spread outside the breast through blood and lymph vessels. There are many types of breast cancer determined by the specific cells in the breast that are affected.
Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer begins in the cells of the cervix – the lower, narrow end of the uterus. Typically, cervical cancer slowly develops, starting with the appearance of abnormal cells. If not removed, these cells can become cancerous.
Colorectal (Colon) Cancer
Colorectal cancer begins in your colon (large intestine) or rectum (connects colon to anus). These cancers often begin as a polyp (growth). Over time, these can turn into cancer, so finding and removing polyps helps to prevent colorectal cancer.
Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal cancer can start anywhere along your esophagus, beginning in the inner layer and grows outward. The two main types of esophageal cancer are adenocarcinoma (lower third of your esophagus) and squamous cell carcinoma (upper two-thirds of your esophagus).
Eye Cancer
Although rare, the most common eye cancer in adults is ocular melanoma, and it develops in your eye cells that produce melanin. Other types of eye cancer include retinoblastoma and primary intraocular lymphoma.
Gallbladder Cancer
Gallbladder cancers are rare and usually diagnosed late because of the lack of early symptoms. The gallbladder is a small organ on the right side of your abdomen, just beneath your liver.
Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrine Tumors
Gastrointestinal (GI) neuroendocrine tumors form in your GI tract and grow slowly. These tumors are most often found in your appendix, rectum or small intestine.
Gynecologic Cancers
Gynecologic cancer begins in a woman’s reproductive organs. Types of gynecologic cancers include cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal and vulvar cancers.
Head and Neck Cancers
Cancers of the head and neck include cancers that begin in your larynx, lips, mouth, nose, salivary glands or throat. Tobacco, alcohol and HPV infections are found to increase the risk of head and neck cancers.
Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer is cancer that begins in your kidneys – two bean-shaped organs behind your abdomen, one on each side of your spine. The most common type of kidney cancer in adults is renal cell carcinoma. Other types of kidney cancer include transitional cell cancer and Wilms’ tumor (more common in younger children).
Leukemia
Leukemia is cancer of your blood cells. The type of leukemia depends on the type of blood cells affected and how fast it grows.
Liver
When cancer starts in your liver, it is called liver cancer. There are two main types of primary liver cancer in adults: hepatocellular carcinoma (common) and bile duct cancer (rare).
Lung
Lung cancer begins in your lungs and may spread to lymph nodes or other organs in your body, such as the brain. Lung cancer is grouped into two main types: non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer (less common).
Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a broad term for cancers that begin in cells of your lymph system. There are two main types: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).
Myeloma
Myeloma is a cancer of your plasma cells – white blood cells that help protect you from infection. The overgrowth of cells with myeloma crowds out normal cells in bone marrow that make red blood cells, platelets and other white blood cells.
Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is a group of diseases that originates in the ovaries, or in the related areas of the fallopian tubes and the peritoneum. These cancers are often at advanced stages when diagnosed.
Pancreatic Cancer
The most common type of pancreatic cancer, adenocarcinoma, begins when exocrine cells grow out of control. It’s usually found at a more advanced state making it harder to treat. Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) begin in your endocrine cells and are less common but often have a better prognosis.
Penile Cancer
Penile cancer is a rare cancer affecting the skin and foreskin of the penis. Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes about one-third of penile cancer cases.
Prostate Cancer
The prostate is a small gland in that is part of the male reproductive system. It is located just below the bladder, in front of the rectum. While most prostate cancers grow very slowly and stay within the prostate gland, some types can be aggressive and spread quickly.
Sarcoma
Sarcomas are rare cancers that develop in your bones and soft tissues, including blood vessels, deep skin tissues, fat, fibrous tissues, muscles and nerves.
Skin Cancer
The three main skin cancers are basal cell carcinoma, melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma. While less common, melanoma is more likely to spread to other parts of your body.
Small Intestine Cancer
Small intestine cancer is a rare cancer that forms in your small intestine tissues. There are five types of small intestine cancer: adenocarcinoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumor, lymphoma, neuroendocrine tumor and sarcoma.
Stomach (Gastric) Cancer
Stomach (gastric) cancer is a growth of cells that starts in your stomach. Your stomach is in the upper middle part of your belly, just below the ribs and helps you break down and digest food.
Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer is a rare cancer that usually begins in germ cells (cells that make sperm) and is often diagnosed in men 20-34 years old.
Thyroid Cancer
There are four main types of thyroid cancer: anaplastic, follicular, medullary and papillary. These vary in how aggressive they are.
