Cancer Awareness 
Information Directory

Cervical Cancer

Cervical Cancer is a cancer arising from the cervix. It is due to the abnormal growth of cells that have the ability to invade or spread to other parts of the body. 

Early on, typically no symptoms are seen.  Later symptoms may include abnormal vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, or pain during sexual intercourse. 

While bleeding after sex may not be serious, it may also indicate the presence of cervical cancer.          

Cervical Cancer Information

The links below will take you directly to the website's pages on Cervical Cancer

American Cancer Society

Foundation for Women's Cancer

MedicineNet

Medline Plus

RHO.org

WebMD

Cervical Cancer Resources

City of Hope

National Cervical Cancer Coalition

SAS Cervical Cancer Foundation

Spirit Foundation

The Yellow Umbrella.org

Cervical Cancer International Resources

Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation

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Gallbladder & Bile Duct Cancer

Cholangiocarcinoma or bile duct cancer is a form of cancer that is composed of mutated epithelial cells (or cells showing characteristics of epithelial differentiation) that originate in the bile ducts which drain bile from the liver into the small intestine.

Other biliary tract cancers include gallbladder cancer and cancer of the ampulla of Vater.

Gallbladder cancer is a relatively uncommon cancer.

If it is diagnosed early enough, it can be cured by removing the gallbladder, part of the liver and associated lymph nodes.

Most often it is found after symptoms such as abdominal pain, jaundice and vomiting occur, and it has spread to other organs such as the liver.

It is a rare cancer that is thought to be related to gallstones building up, which also can lead to calcification of the gallbladder, a condition known as porcelain gallbladder.  Porcelain gallbladder is also rare.

Gallbladder & Bile Duct Cancer Information

The links below will take you directly to the website's pages on Gallbladder & Bile Duct Cancer

Cancer.Net

Johns Hopkins

MedicineNet

Medline Plus

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

National Cancer Institute - bile duct cancer page

National Cancer Institute - gallbladder cancer page

Gallbladder & Bile Duct Cancer Resources

City of Hope

Target Center Foundation

The Cholangiocarinoma Foundation

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Colorectal Cancer

(also known as colon cancer, rectal cancer, or bowel cancer) is the development of cancer from the colon or rectum (parts of the large intestine). 

It is due to the abnormal growth of cells that have the ability to invade or spread to other parts of the body. 

Signs and symptoms may include blood in the stool, a change in bowel movements, weight loss, and feeling tired all the time. 

Most colorectal cancers are due to old age and lifestyle factors with only a small number of cases due to underlying genetic disorders.

Some risk factors include diet, obesity, smoking, and lack of physical activity.  Dietary factors that increase the risk include red and processed meat as well as alcohol.

Another risk factor is inflammatory bowel disease, which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Some of the inherited genetic disorders that can cause colorectal cancer include familial adenomatous polyposis and hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer; however, these represent less than 5% of cases. 

It typically starts as a benign tumor, often in the form of a polyp, which over time becomes cancerous.

Colorectal Cancer Information

The links below will take you directly to the website's pages on Colorectal Cancer

Cancer.Net

Mayo Clinic

MedicineNet

Medline Plus

WebMD

Colorectal Cancer Resources

Chris4Life

Colon Cancer Alliance

Colon Cancer Coalition

Fight Colorectal Cancer

Global Colon Cancer Association

Hereditary Colon Cancer Takes Guts

Meredith's Miracles Colon Cancer Foundation

Never Too Young for Colon Cancer

Susan Cohan Colon Cancer Foundation

The Pelican Foundation

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Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer, also known as renal cancer, is a type of cancer that starts in the cells in the kidney.

The two most common types of kidney cancer are renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and transitional cell carcinoma (TCC, also known as urothelial cell carcinoma) of the renal pelvis. These names reflect the type of cell from which the cancer developed.

The different types of kidney cancer (such as RCC and UCC) develop in different ways, meaning that the diseases have different long term outcomes, and need to be staged and treated in different ways. RCC is responsible for approximately 80% of primary renal cancers, and UCC accounts the majority of the remainder.

Kidney Cancer Information

The links below will take you directly to the website's pages on Kidney Cancer

American Cancer Society

Cancer.Net

Mayo Clinic

MedicineNet

National Cancer Institute

Urology Care Foundation

WebMd

Kidney Cancer Resources

ACKC - Action to Cure Kidney Cancer

Kidney Cancer Association

Kure it Cancer Research

National Kidney Foundation

Kidney Cancer International Resources

Kidney Cancer Canada

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Multiple Myeloma Cancer

is a cancer of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell normally responsible for producing antibodies.

In multiple myeloma, collections of abnormal plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow, where they interfere with the production of normal blood cells.

Most cases of multiple myeloma also feature the production of a paraprotein—an abnormal antibody which can cause kidney problems. Bone lesions and hypercalcemia (high blood calcium levels) are also often encountered.

Multiple myeloma is diagnosed with blood tests (serum protein electrophoresis, serum free kappa/lambda light chain assay), bone marrow examination, urine protein electrophoresis, and X-rays of commonly involved bones.

Multiple Myeloma Cancer Information

The links below will take you directly to the website's pages on Multiple Myeloma

American Cancer Society

Cancer.Net

Mayo Clinic

MedicineNet

Medscape

Multiple Myeloma Cancer Resources

International Myeloma Foundation

Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation

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Testicular Cancer

is cancer that develops in the testicles, a part of the male reproductive system.

Not all lumps on the testicles are tumors, and not all tumors are malignant (cancerous).

There are many other conditions, such as testicular microlithiasis, epididymal cysts, and appendix testis (hydatid of Morgagni), which may be painful but are non-cancerous.

Testicular cancer has one of the highest cure rates of all cancers with an average five-year survival rate of 95%.

If the cancer has not spread outside the testicle, the 5-year survival is 99% while if it has grown into nearby structures or has spread to nearby lymph nodes, the rate is 96% and if it has spread to organs or lymph nodes away from the testicles, the 5-year survival is around 74%.

Even for the relatively few cases in which cancer has spread widely, chemotherapy offers a cure rate of at least 80%.

Testicular Cancer Information:

The links below will take you directly to the website's pages on Testicular Cancer

American Cancer Society

Cancer.Net

Mayo Clinic

MedicineNet

National Cancer Institute

Testicular Cancer Resources:

Testicular Cancer International Resources:

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Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal cancer (or oesophageal cancer) is cancer arising from the esophagus—the food pipe that runs between the throat and the stomach.

Symptoms often include difficulty in swallowing and weight loss. Other symptoms may include pain when swallowing, a hoarse voice, enlarged lymph nodes (glands) around the collarbone, a dry cough, and possibly coughing up or vomiting blood.

The two main sub-types of the disease are esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (often abbreviated to ESCC), which is more common in the developing world, and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), which is more common in the developed world. A number of less common types also occur.

Squamous-cell carcinoma arises from the epithelial cells that line the esophagus. Adenocarcinoma arises from glandular cells present in the lower third of the esophagus, often where they have already transformed to intestinal cell type (a condition known as Barrett's esophagus).

The most common causes of the squamous-cell type are: tobacco, alcohol, very hot drinks, and a poor diet. The most common causes of the adenocarcinoma type are smoking tobacco, obesity, and acid reflux.

Esophageal Cancer Information

The links below will take you directly to the website's pages on Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal Cancer Resources

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Head & Neck Cancer

Head and neck cancer is cancer that starts in the lip, oral cavity (mouth), nasal cavity (inside the nose), paranasal sinuses, pharynx, larynx or parotid glands.

Most head and neck cancers are biologically similar. 90% of head and neck cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, so they are called head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC).

These cancers commonly originate from the mucosal lining (epithelium) of these regions.

Head and neck cancers often spread to the lymph nodes of the neck, and this is often the first (and sometimes only) sign of the disease at the time of diagnosis.

Head & Neck Cancer Information:

The links below will take you directly to the website's pages on Head & Neck Cancer

Head & Neck Cancer Resources

Head & Neck Cancer International Resources

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Melanoma & Skin Cancer

Melanoma, also known as malignant melanoma, is a type of cancer that develops from the pigment-containing cells known as melanocytes.

Melanomas typically occur in the skin but may rarely occur in the mouth, intestines, or eye. In women they most commonly occur on the legs, while in men they are most common on the back.

Sometimes they develop from a mole with concerning changes including an increase in size, irregular edges, change in color, itchiness, or skin breakdown.

The primary cause of melanoma is ultraviolet light (UV) exposure in those with low levels of skin pigment. The UV light may be from either the sun or from other sources, such as tanning devices.

About 25% develop from moles. Those with many moles, a history of affected family members, and who have poor immune function are at greater risk. A number of rare genetic defects such as xeroderma pigmentosum also increase risk. Diagnosis is by biopsy of any concerning skin lesion.

Melanoma and Skin Cancer Information

The links below will take you directly to the website's pages on Melanoma and Skin Cancer

Melanoma and Skin Cancer Resources

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Brain Cancer

A brain tumor or intracranial neoplasm occurs when abnormal cells form within the brain.

There are two main types of tumors: malignant or cancerous tumors and benign tumors.

Cancerous tumors can be divided into primary tumors that start within the brain, and secondary tumors that have spread from somewhere else, known as brain metastasis tumors.

All types of brain tumors may produce symptoms that vary depending on the part of the brain involved.

These may include headaches, seizures, problem with vision, vomiting, and mental changes. 

The headache is classically worse in the morning and goes away with vomiting. More specific problems may include difficulty in walking, speaking and with sensation. As the disease progresses unconsciousness may occur.

Brain Cancer Information

The links below will take you directly to the website's pages on Brain Cancer

Brain Cancer Resources

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Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer is any of several types of cancer arising from the epithelial lining (i.e., the urothelium) of the urinary bladder.

Rarely the bladder is involved by non-epithelial cancers, such as lymphoma or sarcoma, but these are not ordinarily included in the colloquial term "bladder cancer."

It is a disease in which abnormal cells multiply without control in the bladder.

Bladder Cancer Information:

The links below will take you directly to the website's pages on Bladder Cancer

Bladder Cancer Resources:

Bladder Cancer International Resources:

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Cancer Survivor
Awareness
Month

National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship

Sarcoma Cancer

Sarcoma is an uncommon group of cancers which arise in the bones, and connective tissues.

In most cases, it’s not clear what causes sarcoma. Family history and exposure to chemicals or radiation may increase risk.

Although there are more than 50 types of sarcoma, they can be grouped into two main kinds: soft tissue sarcoma and bone sarcoma, or osteosarcoma.

About 12,000 cases of soft tissue sarcoma and 1,000 new cases of bone sarcomas will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2017.

Sarcoma Information

The links below will take you directly to the website's pages on Sarcoma Cancer

Sarcoma Resources

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Childhood Cancer

Childhood cancer (also known as pediatric cancer) is cancer in a child.

In the United States, an arbitrarily adopted standard of the ages used are 0–14 years inclusive, that is, up to 14 years 11.9 months of age.

However, the definition of childhood cancer sometimes includes young adults between 15–19 years old.

The most common cancers in children are (childhood) leukemia (34%), brain tumors (23%), and lymphomas (12%).

Pediatric oncology is the branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in children.

Worldwide, it is estimated that childhood cancer has an incidence of more than 175,000 per year, and a mortality rate of approximately 96,000 per year.

In developed countries, childhood cancer has a mortality of approximately 20% of cases. In low resource settings, on the other hand, mortality is approximately 80%, or even 90% in the world's poorest countries.

In many developed countries the incidence is slowly increasing, as rates of childhood cancer increased by 0.6% per year between 1975 and 2002 in the United States and by 1.1% per year between 1978 and 1997 in Europe.

Childhood Cancer Information

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Childhood Cancer Resources

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Gynecological Cancer

Gynecologic oncology is a specialized field of medicine that focuses on cancers of the female reproductive system, including ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, vaginal cancer, cervical cancer, and vulvar cancer.

As specialists, they have extensive training in the diagnosis and treatment of these cancers.

In the United States, 82,000 women are diagnosed with gynecologic cancer annually. In 2013, an estimated 91,730 were diagnosed.

Gynecological Cancer Information

The links below will take you directly to the website's pages on Gynecological Cancer

Gynecological Cancer Resources

Gynecological Cancer International Resources

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Leukemia Cancer

Leukemia, also spelled leukaemia, is a group of cancers that usually begin in the bone marrow and result in high numbers of abnormal white blood cells.

These white blood cells are not fully developed and are called blasts or leukemia cells.

Symptoms may include bleeding and bruising problems, feeling tired, fever, and an increased risk of infections. These symptoms occur due to a lack of normal blood cells. 

Diagnosis is typically made by blood tests or bone marrow biopsy.

The exact cause of leukemia is unknown. Different kinds of leukemia are believed to have different causes.

Both inherited and environmental (non-inherited) factors are believed to be involved.

Risk factors include smoking, ionizing radiation, some chemicals (such as benzene), prior chemotherapy, and Down syndrome.

People with a family history of leukemia are also at higher risk.

There are four main types of leukemia:

• Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
• Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML),
• Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
• Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)

There are also a number of less common types of leukemia.

Leukemias and lymphomas both belong to a broader group of tumors that affect the blood, bone marrow, and lymphoid system, known as tumors of the hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues.

Leukemia Information

The links below will take you directly to the website's pages on Leukemia Cancer

Leukemia Resources

Leukemia International Resources

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Lymphoma Cancer

Lymphoma is a group of blood cell tumors that develop from lymphatic cells.

The name often refers to just the cancerous ones rather than all such tumors.

Signs and symptoms may include enlarged lymph nodes, fever, drenching sweats, unintended weight loss, itching, and feeling tired. 

The enlarged lymph nodes are usually painless. The sweats are most common at night.

There are dozens of subtypes of lymphomas. The two main categories of lymphomas are Hodgkin lymphomas (HL) and the non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL).

The World Health Organization (WHO) includes two other categories as types of lymphoma: multiple myeloma and immunoproliferative diseases.

About 90% of lymphomas are non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Lymphomas and leukemias are a part of the broader group of tumors of the hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues.

Diagnosis, if enlarged lymph nodes are present, is usually by lymph node biopsy.

Blood, urine, and bone marrow testing may also be useful in the diagnosis. Medical imaging may then be done to determine if and where the cancer has spread. Lymphoma most often spreads to the lungs, liver, and/or brain.

Lymphoma Information

The links below will take you directly to the website's pages on Lymphoma Cancer

Lymphoma Resources

Lymphoma International Resources

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Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is a cancer that forms in an ovary.

It results in abnormal cells that have the ability to invade or spread to other parts of the body.

When this process begins, there may be no or only vague symptoms.

Symptoms become more noticeable as the cancer progresses.

These symptoms may include bloating, pelvic pain, abdominal swelling, and loss of appetite, among others.

Common areas to which the cancer may spread include the lining of the abdomen, lining of the bowel and bladder, lymph nodes, lungs, and liver.

The most common type of ovarian cancer, comprising more than 95% of cases, is ovarian carcinoma.

There are five main sub-types of ovarian carcinoma, of which high-grade serous is most common.

These tumors are believed to start in the cells covering the ovaries, though some may form at the Fallopian tubes. Less common types of ovarian cancer include germ cell tumors and sex cord stromal tumors.

A diagnosis of ovarian cancer is confirmed through a biopsy of tissue, usually removed during surgery.

Ovarian Cancer Information

The links below will take you directly to the website's pages on Ovarian Cancer

American Cancer Society

Mayo Clinic

MedicineNet

WebMD

Ovarian Cancer Resources

Ovarian Cancer Research Fund

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Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer, also known as carcinoma of the prostate, is the development of cancer in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system.

Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, some grow relatively quickly.

The cancer cells may spread from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly the bones and lymph nodes.  It may initially cause no symptoms.

In later stages it can lead to difficulty urinating, blood in the urine, or pain in the pelvis, back or when urinating.

A disease known as benign prostatic hyperplasia may produce similar symptoms. Other late symptoms may include feeling tired due to low levels of red blood cells.

Prostate Cancer Information

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Prostate Cancer Resources

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Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid cancer is a cancer originating from follicular or parafollicular thyroid cells.

These cells give rise to both well-differentiated cancers—papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and follicular thyroid cancer (FTC)—and anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC), whose anaplastic cells are poorly differentiated.

The second cell type, the C or parafollicular cell, produces the hormone calcitonin and is the cell of origin for medullary thyroid cancer (MTC).

The most effective management of aggressive thyroid cancers is surgical removal of thyroid gland (thyroidectomy) followed by radioactive iodine ablation and TSH-suppression therapy.

Chemotherapy or radiotherapy may also be used in cases of distant metastases or advanced cancer stage.

Five year survival rates are 97.8% in the United States.

Thyroid Cancer Information

The links below will take you directly to the website's pages on Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid Cancer Resources

Thyroid Cancer International Resources

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Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is cancer that develops from breast tissue.

Signs of breast cancer may include a lump in the breast, a change in breast shape, dimpling of the skin, fluid coming from the nipple, or a red scaly patch of skin.

In those with distant spread of the disease, there may be bone pain, swollen lymph nodes, shortness of breath, or yellow skin.

Risk factors for developing breast cancer include: female sex, obesity, lack of physical exercise, drinking alcohol, hormone replacement therapy during menopause, ionizing radiation, early age at first menstruation, having children late or not at all, older age, and family history.

About 5–10% of cases are due to genes inherited from a person's parents, including BRCA1 and BRCA2 among others.

Breast cancer most commonly develops in cells from the lining of milk ducts and the lobules that supply the ducts with milk.

Cancers developing from the ducts are known as ductal carcinomas, while those developing from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas.

In addition, there are more than 18 other sub-types of breast cancer. Some cancers develop from pre-invasive lesions such as ductal carcinoma in situ.

The diagnosis of breast cancer is confirmed by taking a biopsy of the concerning lump.

Once the diagnosis is made, further tests are done to determine if the cancer has spread beyond the breast and which treatments it may respond to.

Breast Cancer Information

The links below will take you directly to the website's pages on Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Resources

Breast Cancer International Resources

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Liver Cancer

Liver cancer, also known as hepatic cancer, is a cancer that originates in the liver.

Liver tumors are discovered on medical imaging equipment (often by accident) or present themselves symptomatically as an abdominal mass, abdominal pain, yellow skin, nausea or liver dysfunction.

The leading cause of liver cancer is cirrhosis due to either hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or alcohol.

In 2013, 300,000 deaths from liver cancer were due to hepatitis B, 343,000 to hepatitis C and 92,000 to alcohol.

Liver cancers are not the same as liver metastases, which start in another part of the body and spread to the liver.

Liver cancers are formed from either the liver itself or from structures within the liver, including blood vessels or the bile duct.

Primary liver cancer is globally the sixth most frequent cancer, and the second leading cause of cancer death.

In 2012 it occurred in 782,000 people and resulted in 746,000 deaths.

Higher rates of liver cancer occur where hepatitis B and C are common, including East-Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

Five year survival rates are 17% in the United States. Hepatic is from the Greek hêpar, meaning "liver".

Liver Cancer Information

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Liver Cancer Resources

Liver Cancer International Resources

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Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer arises when cells in the pancreas, a glandular organ behind the stomach, begin to multiply out of control and form a mass.

These cancerous cells have the ability to invade other parts of the body.

There are a number of types of pancreatic cancer. The most common, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, accounts for about 85% of cases, and the term "pancreatic cancer" is sometimes used to refer only to that type.

These adenocarcinomas start within the part of the pancreas which makes digestive enzymes. Several other types of cancer, which collectively represent the majority of the non-adenocarcinomas, can also arise from these cells.

One to two in every hundred cases of pancreatic cancer are neuroendocrine tumors, which arise from the hormone-producing cells of the pancreas. These are generally less aggressive than pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Signs and symptoms of the most common form of pancreatic cancer may include yellow skin, abdominal or back pain, unexplained weight loss, light-colored stools, dark urine and loss of appetite.

There are usually no symptoms in the disease's early stages, and symptoms that are specific enough to suggest pancreatic cancer typically do not develop until the disease has reached an advanced stage. By the time of diagnosis, pancreatic cancer has often spread to other parts of the body.

Pancreatic cancer rarely occurs before the age of 40, and more than half of cases of pancreatic adenocarcinoma occur in those over 70.

Risk factors for pancreatic cancer include tobacco smoking, obesity, diabetes, and certain rare genetic conditions.

About 25% of cases are linked to smoking,and 5–10% are linked to inherited genes.

Pancreatic cancer is usually diagnosed by a combination of medical imaging techniques such as ultrasound or computed tomography, blood tests, and examination of tissue samples (biopsy).

The disease is divided into stages, from early (stage I) to late (stage IV). Screening the general population has not been found to be effective.

Pancreatic Cancer Information

The links below will take you directly to the website's pages on Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer Resources

Pancreatic Cancer International Resources

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Lung Cancer

Lung cancer, also known as lung carcinoma, is a malignant lung tumor characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung.

If left untreated, this growth can spread beyond the lung by the process of metastasis into nearby tissue or other parts of the body.

Most cancers that start in the lung, known as primary lung cancers, are carcinomas.

The two main types are small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) and non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC).

The most common symptoms are coughing (including coughing up blood), weight loss, shortness of breath, and chest pains.[6]

The vast majority (85%) of cases of lung cancer are due to long-term tobacco smoking.

About 10–15% of cases occur in people who have never smoked.

These cases are often caused by a combination of genetic factors and exposure to radon gas, asbestos, second-hand smoke, or other forms of air pollution.

Lung cancer may be seen on chest radiographs and computed tomography (CT) scans.[1] The diagnosis is confirmed by biopsy which is usually performed by bronchoscopy or CT-guidance.

Prevention is by avoiding risk factors including smoking and air pollution.

Treatment and long-term outcomes depend on the type of cancer, the stage (degree of spread), and the person's overall health.

Common treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. NSCLC is sometimes treated with surgery, whereas SCLC usually responds better to chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Lung Cancer Information

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Lung Cancer Resources

Lung Cancer International Resources

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Stomach Cancer

Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, is cancer developing from the lining of the stomach.

Early symptoms may include heartburn, upper abdominal pain, nausea and loss of appetite.

Later signs and symptoms may include weight loss, yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, and blood in the stool among others.

The cancer may spread from the stomach to other parts of the body, particularly the liver, lungs, bones, lining of the abdomen and lymph nodes.

The most common cause is infection by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which accounts for more than 60% of cases.

Certain types of H. pylori have greater risks than others.. The next greatest cause is from the use of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), accounting for about 25%.

About 10% of cases run in families and between 1% and 3% of cases are due to genetic syndromes inherited from a person's parents such as hereditary diffuse gastric cancer.

Most cases of stomach cancers are gastric carcinomas. This type can be divided into a number of sub-types. Lymphomas and mesenchymal tumors may also develop within the stomach.

Most of the time, stomach cancer develops through a number of stages over a number of years.

Diagnosis is usually by biopsy done during endoscopy.

This is then followed by medical imaging to determine if the disease has spread to other parts of the body.

Japan and South Korea, two countries that have high rates of disease, screen for stomach cancer.

Stomach Cancer Information

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Stomach Cancer Resources

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Carcinoid Cancer

Carcinoid (also carcinoid tumor) is a slow-growing type of neuroendocrine tumor originating in the cells of the neuroendocrine system.

In some cases, metastasis may occur. Carcinoid tumors of the midgut (jejunum, ileum, appendix, and cecum) are associated with carcinoid syndrome.

While most carcinoids are asymptomatic through the natural lifetime and are discovered only upon surgery for unrelated reasons (so-called coincidental carcinoids), all carcinoids are considered to have malignant potential.

About 10% of carcinoids secrete excessive levels of a range of hormones, most notably serotonin (5-HT), causing:   

• Flushing
• Diarrhea
• Wheezing
• Abdominal cramping
• Peripheral edema
  

The outflow of serotonin can cause a depletion of tryptophan leading to niacin deficiency. Niacin deficiency, also known as pellagra, is associated with dermatitis, dementia, and diarrhea.

This constellation of symptoms is called carcinoid syndrome or (if acute) carcinoid crisis. Occasionally, haemorrhage or the effects of tumor bulk are the presenting symptoms.

The most common originating sites of carcinoid is the small bowel, particularly the ileum; carcinoid tumors are the most common malignancy of the appendix. Carcinoid tumors may rarely arise from the ovary or thymus.

They are most commonly found in the midgut at the level of the ileum or in the appendix. The next most common affected area is the respiratory tract, with 28% of all cases — per PAN-SEER data (1973 – 1999). The rectum is also a common site.

Carcinoid Cancer Information

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Carcinoid Cancer Resources

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Cancer Caregivers Month

Universal Cancer
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