{"id":342,"date":"2021-04-19T16:38:48","date_gmt":"2021-04-19T16:38:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=342"},"modified":"2021-04-19T16:42:26","modified_gmt":"2021-04-19T16:42:26","slug":"what-is-cancer","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/chapter\/what-is-cancer\/","title":{"raw":"What Is Cancer?","rendered":"What Is Cancer?"},"content":{"raw":"[embed]https:\/\/youtu.be\/UopUxkeC4Ls[\/embed]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div class=\"title section\">\r\n<h1><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;font-weight: normal;text-align: initial;color: #373d3f\">Cancer affects 1 in 3 people in the United States. Chances are that you or someone you know has been affected by cancer. Here is some information to help you better understand what cancer is.<\/span><\/h1>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"text-ckeditor section\">\r\n\r\nYou are made up of trillions of cells that over your lifetime normally grow and divide as needed. When cells are abnormal or get old, they usually die. Cancer starts when something goes wrong in this process and your cells keep making new cells and the old or abnormal ones don't die when they should. As the cancer cells grow out of control, they can\u00a0crowd out normal cells. This makes it hard for your body to work the way it should.\r\n\r\nFor many people, cancer can be treated successfully. In fact, more people than ever before lead full lives after cancer treatment.\r\n<h2>Cancer is more than just one disease<\/h2>\r\nThere are many types of cancer. Cancer can develop anywhere in the body and is named for the part of the body where it started. For instance, breast cancer that starts in the breast is still called breast cancer even if it spreads (metastasizes) to other parts of the body.\r\n\r\nThere are two main categories of cancer:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Hematologic (blood) cancers<\/strong>\u00a0are cancers of the blood cells, including leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>S<\/strong><strong>olid tumor cancers<\/strong>\u00a0are cancers of any of the other body organs or tissues. The most common solid tumors are breast, prostate, lung, and colorectal cancers.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nThese cancers are alike in some ways, but can be different in the ways they grow, spread, and respond to treatment. Some cancers grow and spread fast. Others grow more slowly. Some are more likely to spread to other parts of the body. Others tend to stay where they started.\r\n\r\nSome types of cancer are best treated with surgery; others respond better to drugs such as chemotherapy. Often 2 or more treatments are used to get the best results.\r\n<h2>What is a tumor?<\/h2>\r\nA tumor is a lump or growth. Some lumps are cancer, but many are not.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Lumps that are not cancer are called\u00a0<strong>benign<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t<li>Lumps that are cancer are called\u00a0<strong>malignant<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nWhat makes cancer different is that it can spread to other parts of the body while benign tumors do not. Cancer cells can break away from the site where the cancer started. These cells can travel to other parts of the body and end up in the lymph nodes or other body organs causing problems with normal functions.\r\n<h2>What causes cancer?<\/h2>\r\nCancer cells develop because of multiple changes in their genes. These changes can have many possible\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/cancer-causes.html\">causes<\/a>. Lifestyle habits, genes you get from your parents, and being exposed to cancer-causing agents in the environment can all play a role. Many times, there is no obvious cause.\r\n<h2>What is the cancer stage?<\/h2>\r\nWhen a cancer is found, tests are done to see how big the cancer is and whether it has spread from where it started. This is called the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/treatment\/understanding-your-diagnosis\/staging.html\">cancer's stage<\/a>.\r\n\r\nA lower stage (such as a stage 1 or 2) means that the cancer has not spread very much. A higher number (such as a stage 3 or 4) means it has spread more. Stage 4 is the highest stage.\r\n\r\nThe stage of the cancer is very important in choosing the best treatment for a person. Ask your doctor about your cancer's stage and what it means for you.\r\n<h2>How does cancer spread?<\/h2>\r\nCancer can spread from where it started (the primary site) to other parts of the body.\r\n\r\nWhen cancer cells break away from a tumor, they can travel to other areas of the body through either the bloodstream or the lymph system. Cancer cells can travel through the bloodstream to reach distant organs. If they travel through the lymph system, the cancer cells may end up in lymph nodes. Either way, most of the escaped cancer cells die or are killed before they can start growing somewhere else. But one or two might settle in a new area, begin to grow, and form new tumors. This spread of cancer to a new part of the body is called\u00a0<strong>metastasis<\/strong>.\r\n\r\nIn order for cancer cells to spread to new parts of the body, they have to go through several changes. They first have to become able to break away from the original tumor and then attach to the outside wall of a lymph vessel or blood vessel. Then they must move through the vessel wall to flow with the blood or lymph to a new organ or lymph node.\r\n<div class=\"textbox examples\">\r\n<h3>Cancer basics<\/h3>\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/cancer-basics.html\">Get answers to some of the basic questions about cancer, such as what it is, what some of the common signs and symptoms are, and how many people it affects.<\/a>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div class=\"title section\">\r\n<h1>Find a Cancer Type<\/h1>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"text parbase section\">\r\n\r\nChoose a cancer type from the list below to get detailed information. If you don't see your type listed, it might be covered under a different name. Use the search icon in the menu at the top of the page, or contact us for help on live chat or by calling 1-800-227-2345.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<h3 id=\"alpha-A\">A<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/acute-lymphocytic-leukemia.html\">Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) in Adults<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/acute-myeloid-leukemia.html\">Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in Adults<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/adrenal-cancer.html\">Adrenal Cancer<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/anal-cancer.html\">Anal Cancer<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<h3 id=\"alpha-B\">B<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/basal-and-squamous-cell-skin-cancer.html\">Basal and Squamous Cell Skin Cancer<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/bile-duct-cancer.html\">Bile Duct Cancer<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/bladder-cancer.html\">Bladder Cancer<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/bone-cancer.html\">Bone Cancer<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/brain-spinal-cord-tumors-adults.html\">Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors in Adults<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/brain-spinal-cord-tumors-children.html\">Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors in Children<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/breast-cancer.html\">Breast Cancer<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/breast-cancer-in-men.html\">Breast Cancer in Men<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<h3 id=\"alpha-C\">C<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/cancer-in-adolescents.html\">Cancer in Adolescents<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/cancer-in-children.html\">Cancer in Children<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/cancer-in-young-adults.html\">Cancer in Young Adults<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/cancer-unknown-primary.html\">Cancer of Unknown Primary<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/castleman-disease.html\">Castleman Disease<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/cervical-cancer.html\">Cervical Cancer<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia.html\">Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/chronic-myeloid-leukemia.html\">Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/chronic-myelomonocytic-leukemia.html\">Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML)<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/colon-rectal-cancer.html\">Colorectal Cancer<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<h3 id=\"alpha-E\">E<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/endometrial-cancer.html\">Endometrial Cancer<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/esophagus-cancer.html\">Esophagus Cancer<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/ewing-tumor.html\">Ewing Family of Tumors<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/eye-cancer.html\">Eye Cancer (Ocular Melanoma)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<h3 id=\"alpha-G\">G<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/gallbladder-cancer.html\">Gallbladder Cancer<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/gastrointestinal-carcinoid-tumor.html\">Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrine (Carcinoid) Tumors<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/gastrointestinal-stromal-tumor.html\">Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST)<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/gestational-trophoblastic-disease.html\">Gestational Trophoblastic Disease<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<h3 id=\"alpha-H\">H<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/head-neck-cancer.html\">Head and Neck Cancers<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/hodgkin-lymphoma.html\">Hodgkin Lymphoma<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<h3 id=\"alpha-K\">K<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/kaposi-sarcoma.html\">Kaposi Sarcoma<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/kidney-cancer.html\">Kidney Cancer<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<h3 id=\"alpha-L\">L<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/laryngeal-and-hypopharyngeal-cancer.html\">Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancer<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/leukemia.html\">Leukemia<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/leukemia-in-children.html\">Leukemia in Children<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/liver-cancer.html\">Liver Cancer<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/lung-cancer.html\">Lung Cancer<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/lung-carcinoid-tumor.html\">Lung Carcinoid Tumor<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/lymphoma.html\">Lymphoma<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/skin-lymphoma.html\">Lymphoma of the Skin<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<h3 id=\"alpha-M\">M<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/malignant-mesothelioma.html\">Malignant Mesothelioma<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/melanoma-skin-cancer.html\">Melanoma Skin Cancer<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/merkel-cell-skin-cancer.html\">Merkel Cell Skin Cancer<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/multiple-myeloma.html\">Multiple Myeloma<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/myelodysplastic-syndrome.html\">Myelodysplastic Syndromes<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<h3 id=\"alpha-N\">N<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/nasal-cavity-and-paranasal-sinus-cancer.html\">Nasal Cavity and Paranasal Sinuses Cancer<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/nasopharyngeal-cancer.html\">Nasopharyngeal Cancer<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/neuroblastoma.html\">Neuroblastoma<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/non-hodgkin-lymphoma.html\">Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/childhood-non-hodgkin-lymphoma.html\">Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in Children<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<h3 id=\"alpha-O\">O<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/oral-cavity-and-oropharyngeal-cancer.html\">Oral Cavity (Mouth) and Oropharyngeal (Throat) Cancer<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/osteosarcoma.html\">Osteosarcoma<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/ovarian-cancer.html\">Ovarian Cancer<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<h3 id=\"alpha-P\">P<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/pancreatic-cancer.html\">Pancreatic Cancer<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/pancreatic-neuroendocrine-tumor.html\">Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor (NET)<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/penile-cancer.html\">Penile Cancer<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/pituitary-tumors.html\">Pituitary Tumors<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/prostate-cancer.html\">Prostate Cancer<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<h3 id=\"alpha-R\">R<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/retinoblastoma.html\">Retinoblastoma<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/rhabdomyosarcoma.html\">Rhabdomyosarcoma<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<h3 id=\"alpha-S\">S<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/salivary-gland-cancer.html\">Salivary Gland Cancer<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/skin-cancer.html\">Skin Cancer<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/small-intestine-cancer.html\">Small Intestine Cancer<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/soft-tissue-sarcoma.html\">Soft Tissue Sarcoma<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/stomach-cancer.html\">Stomach Cancer<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<h3 id=\"alpha-T\">T<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/testicular-cancer.html\">Testicular Cancer<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/thymus-cancer.html\">Thymus Cancer<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/thyroid-cancer.html\">Thyroid Cancer<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<h3 id=\"alpha-U\">U<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/uterine-sarcoma.html\">Uterine Sarcoma<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<h3 id=\"alpha-V\">V<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/vaginal-cancer.html\">Vaginal Cancer<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/vulvar-cancer.html\">Vulvar Cancer<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<h3 id=\"alpha-W\">W<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/waldenstrom-macroglobulinemia.html\">Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/wilms-tumor.html\">Wilms Tumor<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n&nbsp;","rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"oembed-1\" title=\"What is Cancer?\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/UopUxkeC4Ls?feature=oembed&#38;rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"title section\">\n<h1><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;font-weight: normal;text-align: initial;color: #373d3f\">Cancer affects 1 in 3 people in the United States. Chances are that you or someone you know has been affected by cancer. Here is some information to help you better understand what cancer is.<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text-ckeditor section\">\n<p>You are made up of trillions of cells that over your lifetime normally grow and divide as needed. When cells are abnormal or get old, they usually die. Cancer starts when something goes wrong in this process and your cells keep making new cells and the old or abnormal ones don&#8217;t die when they should. As the cancer cells grow out of control, they can\u00a0crowd out normal cells. This makes it hard for your body to work the way it should.<\/p>\n<p>For many people, cancer can be treated successfully. In fact, more people than ever before lead full lives after cancer treatment.<\/p>\n<h2>Cancer is more than just one disease<\/h2>\n<p>There are many types of cancer. Cancer can develop anywhere in the body and is named for the part of the body where it started. For instance, breast cancer that starts in the breast is still called breast cancer even if it spreads (metastasizes) to other parts of the body.<\/p>\n<p>There are two main categories of cancer:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Hematologic (blood) cancers<\/strong>\u00a0are cancers of the blood cells, including leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.<\/li>\n<li><strong>S<\/strong><strong>olid tumor cancers<\/strong>\u00a0are cancers of any of the other body organs or tissues. The most common solid tumors are breast, prostate, lung, and colorectal cancers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These cancers are alike in some ways, but can be different in the ways they grow, spread, and respond to treatment. Some cancers grow and spread fast. Others grow more slowly. Some are more likely to spread to other parts of the body. Others tend to stay where they started.<\/p>\n<p>Some types of cancer are best treated with surgery; others respond better to drugs such as chemotherapy. Often 2 or more treatments are used to get the best results.<\/p>\n<h2>What is a tumor?<\/h2>\n<p>A tumor is a lump or growth. Some lumps are cancer, but many are not.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Lumps that are not cancer are called\u00a0<strong>benign<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Lumps that are cancer are called\u00a0<strong>malignant<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>What makes cancer different is that it can spread to other parts of the body while benign tumors do not. Cancer cells can break away from the site where the cancer started. These cells can travel to other parts of the body and end up in the lymph nodes or other body organs causing problems with normal functions.<\/p>\n<h2>What causes cancer?<\/h2>\n<p>Cancer cells develop because of multiple changes in their genes. These changes can have many possible\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/cancer-causes.html\">causes<\/a>. Lifestyle habits, genes you get from your parents, and being exposed to cancer-causing agents in the environment can all play a role. Many times, there is no obvious cause.<\/p>\n<h2>What is the cancer stage?<\/h2>\n<p>When a cancer is found, tests are done to see how big the cancer is and whether it has spread from where it started. This is called the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/treatment\/understanding-your-diagnosis\/staging.html\">cancer&#8217;s stage<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>A lower stage (such as a stage 1 or 2) means that the cancer has not spread very much. A higher number (such as a stage 3 or 4) means it has spread more. Stage 4 is the highest stage.<\/p>\n<p>The stage of the cancer is very important in choosing the best treatment for a person. Ask your doctor about your cancer&#8217;s stage and what it means for you.<\/p>\n<h2>How does cancer spread?<\/h2>\n<p>Cancer can spread from where it started (the primary site) to other parts of the body.<\/p>\n<p>When cancer cells break away from a tumor, they can travel to other areas of the body through either the bloodstream or the lymph system. Cancer cells can travel through the bloodstream to reach distant organs. If they travel through the lymph system, the cancer cells may end up in lymph nodes. Either way, most of the escaped cancer cells die or are killed before they can start growing somewhere else. But one or two might settle in a new area, begin to grow, and form new tumors. This spread of cancer to a new part of the body is called\u00a0<strong>metastasis<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>In order for cancer cells to spread to new parts of the body, they have to go through several changes. They first have to become able to break away from the original tumor and then attach to the outside wall of a lymph vessel or blood vessel. Then they must move through the vessel wall to flow with the blood or lymph to a new organ or lymph node.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox examples\">\n<h3>Cancer basics<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/cancer-basics.html\">Get answers to some of the basic questions about cancer, such as what it is, what some of the common signs and symptoms are, and how many people it affects.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"title section\">\n<h1>Find a Cancer Type<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text parbase section\">\n<p>Choose a cancer type from the list below to get detailed information. If you don&#8217;t see your type listed, it might be covered under a different name. Use the search icon in the menu at the top of the page, or contact us for help on live chat or by calling 1-800-227-2345.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3 id=\"alpha-A\">A<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/acute-lymphocytic-leukemia.html\">Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) in Adults<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/acute-myeloid-leukemia.html\">Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in Adults<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/adrenal-cancer.html\">Adrenal Cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/anal-cancer.html\">Anal Cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3 id=\"alpha-B\">B<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/basal-and-squamous-cell-skin-cancer.html\">Basal and Squamous Cell Skin Cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/bile-duct-cancer.html\">Bile Duct Cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/bladder-cancer.html\">Bladder Cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/bone-cancer.html\">Bone Cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/brain-spinal-cord-tumors-adults.html\">Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors in Adults<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/brain-spinal-cord-tumors-children.html\">Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors in Children<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/breast-cancer.html\">Breast Cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/breast-cancer-in-men.html\">Breast Cancer in Men<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3 id=\"alpha-C\">C<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/cancer-in-adolescents.html\">Cancer in Adolescents<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/cancer-in-children.html\">Cancer in Children<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/cancer-in-young-adults.html\">Cancer in Young Adults<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/cancer-unknown-primary.html\">Cancer of Unknown Primary<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/castleman-disease.html\">Castleman Disease<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/cervical-cancer.html\">Cervical Cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia.html\">Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/chronic-myeloid-leukemia.html\">Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/chronic-myelomonocytic-leukemia.html\">Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/colon-rectal-cancer.html\">Colorectal Cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3 id=\"alpha-E\">E<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/endometrial-cancer.html\">Endometrial Cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/esophagus-cancer.html\">Esophagus Cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/ewing-tumor.html\">Ewing Family of Tumors<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/eye-cancer.html\">Eye Cancer (Ocular Melanoma)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3 id=\"alpha-G\">G<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/gallbladder-cancer.html\">Gallbladder Cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/gastrointestinal-carcinoid-tumor.html\">Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrine (Carcinoid) Tumors<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/gastrointestinal-stromal-tumor.html\">Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/gestational-trophoblastic-disease.html\">Gestational Trophoblastic Disease<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3 id=\"alpha-H\">H<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/head-neck-cancer.html\">Head and Neck Cancers<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/hodgkin-lymphoma.html\">Hodgkin Lymphoma<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3 id=\"alpha-K\">K<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/kaposi-sarcoma.html\">Kaposi Sarcoma<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/kidney-cancer.html\">Kidney Cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3 id=\"alpha-L\">L<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/laryngeal-and-hypopharyngeal-cancer.html\">Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/leukemia.html\">Leukemia<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/leukemia-in-children.html\">Leukemia in Children<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/liver-cancer.html\">Liver Cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/lung-cancer.html\">Lung Cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/lung-carcinoid-tumor.html\">Lung Carcinoid Tumor<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/lymphoma.html\">Lymphoma<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/skin-lymphoma.html\">Lymphoma of the Skin<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3 id=\"alpha-M\">M<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/malignant-mesothelioma.html\">Malignant Mesothelioma<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/melanoma-skin-cancer.html\">Melanoma Skin Cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/merkel-cell-skin-cancer.html\">Merkel Cell Skin Cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/multiple-myeloma.html\">Multiple Myeloma<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/myelodysplastic-syndrome.html\">Myelodysplastic Syndromes<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3 id=\"alpha-N\">N<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/nasal-cavity-and-paranasal-sinus-cancer.html\">Nasal Cavity and Paranasal Sinuses Cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/nasopharyngeal-cancer.html\">Nasopharyngeal Cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/neuroblastoma.html\">Neuroblastoma<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/non-hodgkin-lymphoma.html\">Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/childhood-non-hodgkin-lymphoma.html\">Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in Children<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3 id=\"alpha-O\">O<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/oral-cavity-and-oropharyngeal-cancer.html\">Oral Cavity (Mouth) and Oropharyngeal (Throat) Cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/osteosarcoma.html\">Osteosarcoma<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/ovarian-cancer.html\">Ovarian Cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3 id=\"alpha-P\">P<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/pancreatic-cancer.html\">Pancreatic Cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/pancreatic-neuroendocrine-tumor.html\">Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor (NET)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/penile-cancer.html\">Penile Cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/pituitary-tumors.html\">Pituitary Tumors<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/prostate-cancer.html\">Prostate Cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3 id=\"alpha-R\">R<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/retinoblastoma.html\">Retinoblastoma<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/rhabdomyosarcoma.html\">Rhabdomyosarcoma<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3 id=\"alpha-S\">S<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/salivary-gland-cancer.html\">Salivary Gland Cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/skin-cancer.html\">Skin Cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/small-intestine-cancer.html\">Small Intestine Cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/soft-tissue-sarcoma.html\">Soft Tissue Sarcoma<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/stomach-cancer.html\">Stomach Cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3 id=\"alpha-T\">T<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/testicular-cancer.html\">Testicular Cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/thymus-cancer.html\">Thymus Cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/thyroid-cancer.html\">Thyroid Cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3 id=\"alpha-U\">U<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/uterine-sarcoma.html\">Uterine Sarcoma<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3 id=\"alpha-V\">V<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/vaginal-cancer.html\">Vaginal Cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/vulvar-cancer.html\">Vulvar Cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3 id=\"alpha-W\">W<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/waldenstrom-macroglobulinemia.html\">Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/wilms-tumor.html\">Wilms Tumor<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t <section class=\"citations-section\" role=\"contentinfo\">\n\t\t\t <h3>Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t <div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <div id=\"citation-list-342\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div class=\"licensing\"><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">All rights reserved content<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>What Is Cancer?. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: American Cancer Society . <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/cancer-basics\/what-is-cancer.html\">https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/cancer-basics\/what-is-cancer.html<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em>All Rights Reserved<\/em>. <strong>License Terms<\/strong>: American Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. <\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/section>","protected":false},"author":142337,"menu_order":3,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"copyrighted_video\",\"description\":\"What Is Cancer?\",\"author\":\"\",\"organization\":\"American Cancer Society \",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/cancer-basics\/what-is-cancer.html\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"arr\",\"license_terms\":\"American Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. 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