Ratification Date: 24/07/2025

Next Review Date: 24/07/2027

What are the different types of cancer? (Adult)

Different types of cancer in adults

Contents

There are more than 200 types of cancer, and they are named according to where they start in the body.

 

You can find an overview of the different types of cancer here with information on each type. You will also find links to the different dedicated information and support websites for the different types of cancer:

 

Here you can find information on types of cancer in different languages, including Arabic, Bengali, Chinese traditional, Dari, Farsi, Gujarati, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu and Welsh.

 

Most common cancers

The four most common types of cancer in the UK are breast, prostate, lung, and bowel and there are dedicated websites and resources where you can find detailed information about each of these to help you to understand your type of cancer.

Breast cancer

Each year about 55,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer. If you want to find out more about breast cancer – symptoms, diagnosis, causes, and treatment – there is information and websites available:

 

Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer starts in the cells of the prostate, a small gland that is just below the bladder. You can find out more about prostate cancer here:

 

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK. There are different types of lung cancer and the treatment you have will depend on which type you have. You can find out more about lung cancer here:

 

Bowel cancer

Bowel cancer means cancer that starts in the large bowel (colon) and the back passage (rectum). It is also known as colorectal cancer. You can find out more about bowel cancer here:

Other types of cancer

Whatever type of cancer you have, you will find information, advice, and help available. Here you will find links to information on several other types of cancer. If your cancer is not covered on the next few pages, you can visit these sites:

 

Bladder cancer

Bladder cancer starts in the inner lining of the bladder. You can find information about bladder cancer here:

 

Brain tumours

Brain tumours can start anywhere in the brain and there are many different types of tumours.

You can find more information about brain tumours here:

 

Cervical cancer

Cervical cancer develops from abnormal cell changes in the cervix. Cervical cancer testing helps to pick up abnormal cells. You can find more information about cervical cancer here:

 

Head and neck cancer

Head and neck cancer is a general term to describe cancer in this area. It includes cancer of the mouth, tongue, throat, nose and sinuses, salivary glands, and middle ear. You can find more information about head and neck cancer here:

 

Kidney cancer

Kidney cancer usually only affects one kidney. It usually affects adults in their 60s and 70s. You can find information about kidney cancer here:

 

Leukaemia

Leukaemia is a cancer of the blood cells. If you have leukaemia, your body makes some abnormal blood cells. There are different types of leukaemia. You can find information about leukaemia here:

 

Liver cancer

Liver cancer is cancer found anywhere in the liver. It is sometimes called primary liver cancer. You can find more information about liver cancer here:

 

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is cancer of the lymphatic system which is part of the immune system. You can find out information about Non-Hodgkin lymphoma here:

 

Oesophageal cancer

Cancer can develop anywhere in the oesophagus (the gullet) which is part of the digestive system. In the UK, around 9,000 people each year are diagnosed with oesophageal cancer. You can find information about oesophageal cancer here:

 

Ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer affects the 2 small organs (ovaries) that store the eggs needed to make babies. You can find information about ovarian cancer here:

 

Pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a cancer that starts in the pancreas which is part of the digestive system. You can find information about pancreatic cancer here:

 

Skin cancer (melanoma)

The most common sign of melanoma is the appearance of a new mole or a change in existing mole. You can find information about melanoma here:

 

Stomach cancer

Stomach cancer is when abnormal cells in the stomach start to grow and divide in an uncontrolled way. You can find information about stomach cancer here:

 

Testicular cancer

Testicular cancer starts in one of the testicles. Survival for testicular cancer is very high. You can find out about testicular cancer here:

 

There are over 200 types of cancer. If you would like information on any other types, you can find information here:

 

You can also find information on rare cancers here:

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