Common Types of Cancers

Common Types of Cancers

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) Breast Cancer Incidence: Most common cancer in women in the U.S. and second only to lung cancer in causes of cancer deaths in women. Predominantly affects women; only 1% of breast cancer affects men. Onset: Can develop at any age, but most likely to occur in women >40 years old and in men >60 years. Etiology: Breast cancer begins in epithelial tissues of ducts and lobules. Risk factors include family history, nulliparity or age >30 years for first-time pregnancy, menarche <12 years, menopause >55 years, and long-term hormone replacement therapy. Clinical Findings: Presence of palpable breast lump, inflammation of breast, dimpling, orange-peel appearance, distended vessels, and/or nipple changes or ulcerations. Colorectal Cancer Incidence: Accounts for ~15% of all malignant cancers and ~11% of all cancer deaths for both men and women in the U.S. Onset: Can develop at any age. In general, chances of developing colorectal cancer are greatest after age 40 years and then begin to decline after age 75. Development of colorectal cancer in younger Pts (20–30 years old) usually results in a poor prognosis. Etiology: Diets high in saturated fats and refined carbohydrates may contribute to development of colorectal cancer. Risk factors include family or personal history of past colorectal cancer, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, or colon polyps. Clinical Findings: Changes in bowel patterns such as constipation or diarrhea, bloody stools (may be bright red or tarry in appearance), abdominal cramping, nausea and vomiting, anorexia, feeling of fullness, and palpable abdominal masses. Hodgkin’s Disease Incidence: Uncommon overall, but more common in men than women. With treatment, Hodgkin’s is significantly less lethal than non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Onset: Usually young adults age 15–38 years and older adults >55 years. Etiology: Unknown. Clinical Findings: Painless swelling of lymph nodes of neck, axillae, and inguinal areas. Other symptoms include fatigue, fever and chills, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, anorexia, and pruritus. Leukemia Incidence: Accounts for ~8% of all cancers. Onset: Acute leukemia presents with rapid onset and, if left untreated, leads to 100% mortality within days to months. Chronic leukemia presents with gradual onset and may not be detected for several years. Etiology: Unknown. Risk factors include previous overexposure to radiation, chemicals such as benzene, and viruses. Clinical Findings: Fever, chills, persistent fatigue or weakness, frequent infections, anorexia, unexplained weight loss, swollen lymph nodes, enlarged liver or spleen, petechiae rash, night sweats, bone tenderness, abnormal bruising, and increased bleeding time. Lung Cancer Incidence: Leading cause of cancer death among both men and women. Men have higher incidence of lung cancer than women. Onset: Average age to develop lung cancer is ~60 years, and diagnosis is rare <40 years. Etiology: Cigarette smoking accounts for ~80% of lung cancers and increases a smoker’s risk to 10 times that of a nonsmoker. Other risk factors include exposure to second-hand smoke, carcinogenic industrial and air pollutants (asbestos, radon, arsenic, etc.), and family history. Clinical Findings: Early-stage lung cancer is usually asymptomatic and is discovered from abnormal findings on routine chest x-ray. Advanced-stage lung cancer often manifests with persistent cough, chest pain, dyspnea, fatigue, weight loss, hemoptysis, and hoarseness. Lymphoma Melanoma Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL) Incidence: Fifth most common cause of cancer in the U.S. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma has higher mortality rate than Hodgkin’s disease. Onset: Can occur at any age, but is most common >60 years. Etiology: Unknown. Clinical Findings: Fatigue, unexplained weight loss, pruritus, fever, and night sweats. Ovarian Cancer Incidence: Leading cause of death from reproductive system malignancies in women; occurs most often between the ages of 20 and 54 years. Onset:Typically develops slowly, without symptoms, and is typically diagnosed after tumor metastasis has already occurred. Etiology: Unknown. Risk factors include family history, diet high in saturated fat, exposure to carcinogens, nulliparity, infertility, and celibacy. Clinical Findings: Abdominal distention and palpable masses, unexplained weight loss, pelvic pain and discomfort, urinary urgency, and constipation. Prostate Cancer Incidence: Most common cause of cancer among men in the U.S. Onset: Most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 60 and 70 years. Etiology: Unknown. Clinical Findings: Urinary frequency, nocturia, dysuria, and hematuria may be present. In advanced stages, Pts may complain of back pain and weight loss. Digital rectal exam reveals prostatic lesions, and laboratory tests show prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level >10 ng/mL (normal is <4 ng/mL). Skin Cancer (Basal Cell and Squamous Cell) Incidence: Most common form of cancer, accounting for 40% of all cancers in the U.S., and affecting ~1,000,000 people annually. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) accounts for 90% of all skin cancers in the U.S. Onset: Most skin cancer cases are diagnosed ~50 years of age, but damage that causes skin cancers starts much earlier in life. Etiology: UV radiation (sun exposure, tanning beds) is the main cause. Clinical Findings: A classic indication of skin cancer is a skin change, especially a new lesion with nonuniform shape and color or a sore that will not heal. Skin Cancer (Melanoma) Incidence: Melanoma is seventh most common type of cancer; it accounts for ~4% of all skin cancers but ~80% of all skin cancer deaths in the U.S. Melanoma is one of the most common cancers in younger adults. Onset: May occur at any age. Etiology: Exact cause is unknown, but melanoma frequently originates from a nevus or mole. Risk factors include fair skin, development of freckles, red or blonde hair, and presence of a large number of nevi. Clinical Findings: A classic sign of melanoma is a change in color, shape, or size of an existing mole or nevus. Melanomas are usually dark blue to black. Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) (See Skin Cancer [Basal Cell and Squamous Cell], see above) Testicular Cancer Incidence: Most common solid-tumor malignancy in men ages 15–45 years but causes <1% of all cancer deaths. Onset: Usually rapid and most common between ages 25 and 29 years. Etiology: Unknown, but may be linked to cryptorchidism (failure of affected testicle to descend). Clinical Findings: Earliest sign is small, hard, painless lump on testicle. Other symptoms include low back pain, feeling of heaviness in scrotum, gynecomastia, and breast tenderness. Depending on stage of cancer, there may be enlarged lymph nodes in surrounding areas. Uterine Cancer Incidence: Most common in endometrium of uterus; endometrial cancer is fourth leading cause of cancer in women. Onset: Occurs most commonly in postmenopausal women between the ages of 58 and 60 years. Occurrence is rare <30 years. Etiology: Unknown. Risk factors include age, familial and genetic influence, early menarche, delayed menopause (>52 years), nulliparity, HRT, obesity, HTN, DM, polycystic ovarian disease, and pelvic irradiation. Clinical Findings:The most common symptom is abnormal, painless vaginal bleeding. Late symptoms include pain, fever, and bowel or bladder dysfunction. Palpation may reveal enlarged uterus and uterine masses. A mucosanguineous, odorous discharge may indicate vaginal metastasis.