Cancer Types | UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center

Adrenal cortical cancer, or adrenocortical carcinoma, affects the outer layer of your adrenal glands. You have two adrenal glands in your upper abdomen, one on top of each kidney. These glands make hormones that control essential functions, such as blood pressure, metabolism and male or female characteristics.

Bladder cancer affects your bladder, the hollow organ in your pelvic area that holds urine. The most common type of bladder cancer is urothelial carcinoma, which makes up more than 95% of cases. Other types of bladder cancer include squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and small cell carcinoma of the bladder.

Central nervous system (CNS) cancers develop in your brain or spinal cord. These tumors can also be benign (noncancerous). Both noncancerous and cancerous CNS tumors may affect vital functions, such as thought, memory and movement.

Breast cancer is when cancer forms in the tissues of your breast. This cancer can also affect surrounding tissues or spread to other parts of your body.

Cervical cancer occurs when cells in your cervix become abnormal and turn into cancer. Your cervix is the bottom part of your uterus (womb), and it sits at the top of your vagina.

Colon and rectum cancers develop in the lining of your large intestine, which is part of your lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract. If you think of your intestine as a long tunnel, your stomach connects to the small intestine, which connects to the large intestine, also called the colon. Your rectum is between your colon and anus. Both your colon and rectum absorb water and help move food waste out of your body.

Endometrial cancer is a type of uterine cancer that occurs in your uterus (womb), part of the female reproductive system. Your uterus is a hollow organ in your pelvis where a pregnancy develops.

Esophageal cancer is a cancer that occurs in the esophagus. The esophagus is a hollow, muscular tube that moves food from your throat to your stomach. There are two main types of esophageal cancer: squamous cell carcinoma (which originates in the esophagus lining) and adenocarcinoma (which begins in cells that make mucus).

Eye (ocular) cancer happens when cancer cells in your eye grow and multiply, forming tumors. These primary eye cancers originate on the surface or inside of the eye.

Head and neck cancer develops in your mouth, lips, throat, tongue, tonsils, sinuses, nose, voice box, or salivary glands. The most common type is squamous cell carcinoma. It forms in the moist mucous tissues (membranes) that line body openings, like those in your mouth and throat.

Your kidneys filter and remove waste and excess fluids from your blood, which leave your body when you urinate. Kidney cancer occurs when diseased cells form a tumor in one or both of your kidneys. These cancerous cells multiply and grow out of control.

Leukemia is a term for several cancers affecting your blood and bone marrow. Bone marrow is spongy tissue inside your bones that makes blood cells.

Liver cancer is when cancer forms in the cells of your liver. Your liver helps filter wastes from your blood and store nutrients from your intestines, among other functions.

When you come to UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, you receive care from internationally recognized lung cancer experts. Our Lung Cancer Integrated Service Line, including the Division of General Thoracic Surgery, is a national and international Center of Excellence for lung cancer treatments.

Lymphoma is the most common hematologic cancer (blood cancer). It occurs in lymphocytes (white blood cells). Your lymphatic system makes lymphocytes to help your immune system fight infections.

Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that starts in the plasma cells inside the bone marrow. Plasma cells play a key role in your immune system, helping to fight infection and disease.

Ovarian cancer is a cancer that originates in the ovaries or the fallopian tubes. The ovaries are a pair of organs that produce eggs for reproduction. The eggs travel through the fallopian tubes to the uterus (where a fetus grows). The most common type of ovarian cancer is epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

Pancreatic cancer occurs when diseased cells in your pancreas grow out of control and form a tumor. Your pancreas makes enzymes (juices) that help your body digest food. This organ also makes hormones like insulin that control blood sugar levels.

Prostate cancer usually does not cause noticeable problems in its early stages. As cancer progresses, you may experience symptoms. Symptoms can be like those of other prostate conditions, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostatitis (prostate inflammation).

Sarcomas are rare cancerous tumors that form in your bones or connective tissues. Adults and children can get sarcomas.

Gastric cancer, also called stomach cancer, includes a group of cancers that originate in your stomach. The most common stomach cancer is adenocarcinoma, which starts in your stomach’s surface layer. Less common types of stomach cancers affect your stomach’s middle or outer layers.

Thyroid cancer is a type of endocrine system cancer that affects your thyroid gland. This small, butterfly-shaped gland sits at the base of your neck. It makes and releases hormones into your blood. These chemicals send messages that keep your organs, muscles and tissues working as they should.