There are over 200 types of cancers.
The following are some common cancer types in New Zealand:
Ngā momo mate pukupuku
Types of Cancer
Cancer is not just one disease. There are many different types of cancer, usually named from the organ or cell type where the cancer started.
Cancer types can be put into five broad groups:
Carcinoma
Cancer that begins in the skin or tissues that line the internal organs, e.g. melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma
Lymphoma and myeloma
Cancer that starts in cells of the immune system, e.g. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Sarcoma
Cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscles e.g. Leiomyosarcoma
Central nervous system cancer
Cancer that starts in the brain or spinal cord, e.g. astrocytoma
Leukaemia
Cancer that begins in the blood and bone marrow, e.g. Acute myeloid leukaemia