Types of Cancer and Their Symptoms

If you’ve found your way to this blog post, welcome! Whether you’re here for educational purposes, seeking clarity on your symptoms, or looking to understand how best to support a loved one, I assure you that you’re in the right place.

Cancer comes in many forms, and in this post, we’ll be exploring the most common types of cancer along with their various symptoms.

 

How Many Types Of Cancer Are There?

 

There are over 100 types of cancer and we may not be able to exhaust them in a single blog post. These types of cancer are categorized based on the tissue or organ they affect, as well as the specific cell type involved. They are usually grouped into five major categories:

1. Carcinomas

• The most common type of cancer.
• Begins in the skin or tissues that line internal organs (e.g., breast, lung, prostate, and colon cancers).

2. Sarcomas

• Cancers that begin in the bones, cartilage, fat, muscle, or connective tissues.

3. Leukemias

• Cancers of the blood or bone marrow that do not form solid tumours (e.g., blood cancers like leukaemia).

4. Lymphomas

• Cancers start in the immune system, particularly the lymphatic system (e.g., Hodgkin’s and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma).

5. Central Nervous System (CNS) Cancers

• Cancers that begin in the brain or spinal cord.

 

Apart from these major types, cancers can also be named for the specific organs they affect (e.g., liver cancer, kidney cancer) or by the type of cell from which they originate. Many rare subtypes exist, as well as cancers that behave differently from one another even if they originate from the same organ.

 

What Are The Most Common Types Of Cancer And Their Symptoms?

 

 As I stated earlier, we cannot exhaust all cancer types in a single blog post. So, we would explore the most common types of cancer and outline their symptoms.

1. Breast Cancer

Breast cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the breast tissue grow uncontrollably. It can affect both men and women, though it is significantly more common in women. There are four types of breast cancer.

• Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS): A non-invasive cancer where cells inside the milk ducts become abnormal but do not spread outside the ducts.
• Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC): The most common type, which starts in the milk ducts and invades surrounding breast tissue.
• Invasive Lobular Carcinoma: Begins in the lobules (glands that produce milk) and can spread to nearby tissues.
• Triple-negative Breast cancer lacks three common receptors and tends to be more aggressive, making it harder to treat.

What are the Symptoms of breast cancer?

• Lump in the breast or underarm
• Changes in breast size or shape
• Dimpling or thickening of breast skin
• Nipple discharge.

2. Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer begins in the cervix, often caused by persistent infection with high-risk strains of human papillomavirus (HPV). There are two types of cervical cancer. 

• Squamous cell carcinoma: the most common type, arising from the flat cells on the cervix’s surface.
• Adenocarcinoma: Develops from the glandular cells lining the cervix and is less common than squamous cell carcinoma.

What are the Symptoms of cervical cancer?

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding
• Unusual vaginal discharge
• Pelvic pain
• Pain during intercourse

3. Brain Cancer

Brain cancer involves the growth of tumours in the brain, which can originate from brain cells or spread from other body parts. Symptoms vary based on the tumour’s location and size. There are 3 types.

• Gliomas: Tumors that arise from glial cells, which support and protect neurons.
• Meningiomas: Typically benign tumours that develop from the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
• Metastatic Brain Tumors: Cancers that spread to the brain from other parts of the body, like the lungs or breast.

What are the Symptoms of brain cancer?

• Persistent headaches
• Seizures
• Nausea and vomiting
• Cognitive or personality changes

4. Lung Cancer

Lung cancer primarily affects the lungs and is often linked to smoking, although non-smokers can also develop it. There are two types:

• Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): The most common type, including subtypes such as adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma.
• Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC): More aggressive and often associated with smoking; spreads rapidly.

 

What are the Symptoms of Lung Cancer

• Persistent cough
• Coughing up blood
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain

5. Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer develops in the prostate gland and is one of the most common cancers among men. It often grows slowly and may not cause symptoms in its early stages. There are 3 types of prostate cancer:

• Acinar Adenocarcinoma: The most common type, arising from the glandular cells in the prostate.
• Ductal Adenocarcinoma: A rare type that arises from the ducts of the prostate, usually more aggressive.
• Small Cell Prostate Cancer: An aggressive form that is rare and usually diagnosed at an advanced stage.

What are the Symptoms of Prostrate Cancer?

• Difficulty urinating
• Frequent urination
• Blood in urine or semen
• Painful ejaculation

 

There are many types of cancer out there, but we’ve focused on five of the most common: breast, cervical, brain, lung, and prostate cancer. We’ve shared their symptoms, so take a moment to check if you’ve experienced any of them. If you have, don’t worry; just reach out to a doctor for help.

Remember, cancer isn’t a death sentence. I know this firsthand. Thirteen years ago, my husband was given just 30 days to live after being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. At that time, I was battling aggressive scleroderma, stuck in a wheelchair, and on oxygen 24/7.

Fast forward to today; my husband’s cancer is in remission, and I’ve reversed my autoimmune disease. Thirteen years later, we’re thriving and defying the odds.

If you’ve been diagnosed or are dealing with symptoms and need some support, I’m here for you.

Just click the link to schedule a call.