National Cancer Institute
U.S. National Institutes of Health | www.cancer.gov

NCI Home
Cancer Topics
Clinical Trials
Cancer Statistics
Research & Funding
News
About NCI
Dictionary of Cancer Terms
In English   En español
Page Options
Print This Page
Quick Links
Director's Corner
Updates from the Director

Dictionary of Cancer Terms
Cancer-related terms

NCI Drug Dictionary
Definitions, names, and links

Funding Opportunities
Research and training

NCI Publications
Order/download free booklets

Advisory Boards and Groups
Information, meetings, reports

Science Serving People
Learn more about NCI

Español
Información en español
NCI Highlights
Virtual and Standard Colonoscopy Both Accurate

NCI Responds to Hurricanes

The Nation's Investment in Cancer Research FY 2009

Cancer Trends Progress Report: 2007 Update

Past Highlights
You CAN Quit Smoking Now!
Search for
# A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
In English   En español

cancer (KAN-ser)

 A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord.



Previous Definitions:Campath-1H, camphor, camptothecin, camptothecin analog, Cancell
Next Definitions:cancer antigen 125, cancer cluster, Cancer Information Service, cancer of the adrenal cortex, cancer of unknown primary origin

A Service of the National Cancer Institute
Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health USA.gov