How many types of cancer are there?

There are more than 100 types of cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Types of cancer are usually named for the organs or tissues where the cancers form. For example, lung cancer starts in the lung, and brain cancer starts in the brain. Cancers may also be described by the type of cell that formed them, such as an epithelial cell or a squamous cell.

Some broad categories, based on the type of cell where they begin, include carcinomas (the most common type, formed by epithelial cells), sarcomas (which form in bone and soft tissues), leukemias (which begin in blood-forming tissue), lymphomas (which begin in disease-fighting white blood cells), multiple myeloma (which begins in plasma cells), and melanoma (which begins in the cells that make skin pigment). There are also brain and spinal cord tumors and other types, such as germ cell tumors and neuroendocrine tumors.

Knowing exactly which type of cancer a person has is an important first step toward understanding it and planning care. A healthcare team can explain the specific type involved.