Cancer Research Center

Primary brain cancer develops when a malignant (cancerous) tumor forms from cells in the tissue of the central nervous system, which is comprised of the brain and the spinal cord. Brain tumors can be either malignant or benign (non-cancerous).

Unlike most types of cancers, primary brain cancer does not typically spread to other areas of the body. However, brain cancer can spread to other parts of the brain and/or spinal cord. Treatment for brain cancer depends on a variety of factors, including the type of tumor and where the tumor is located.

Breast cancer develops when a malignant (cancerous) tumor forms from cells of the breast. Breast cancer can begin in the duct (milk passage) or lobules (milk-producing glands). It is the most common (non-skin) cancer among American women, and while men can develop breast cancer, it is very rare.

Treatment for breast cancer is determined by a variety of factors, including the type of cancer, stage of diagnosis, and hormone receptor status to name a few. Treatment options include local and/or systemic therapies. Local therapy refers to treatment targeting the specific tumor site without affecting the rest of the body (e.g., surgery, radiation therapy). Systemic therapy intends to treat cancer cells throughout the entire body (e.g., chemotherapy, hormone therapy). People with cancer often get more than one kind of treatment.

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers develop when a malignant (cancerous) tumor forms from the cells in the gastrointestinal (digestive) tract. Prognosis (outcome) and treatment are dependent on a variety of factors, including the type of GI cancer and stage at diagnosis. Treatment options include local and/or systemic therapies. Local therapy refers to treatment targeting the specific tumor site without affecting the rest of the body (e.g., surgery, radiation therapy). Systemic therapy intends to treat cancer cells throughout the entire body (e.g., chemotherapy).

GI cancers include:

Thyroid cancer develops when a malignant (cancerous) tumor forms in the thyroid gland (located in the front part of the neck). The majority of thyroid tumors or nodules are benign (non-cancerous), while a small percentage is malignant.

Treatment for thyroid cancer is determined by a variety of factors including type of cancer, stage at diagnosis and size of the tumor. Treatment options include local and/or systemic therapies. Local therapy refers to treatment targeting the specific tumor site without affecting the rest of the body (e.g., surgery, radiation therapy). Systemic therapy intends to treat cancer cells throughout the entire body (e.g., radioactive iodine therapy [I-131], hormone therapy, chemotherapy).

Genitourinary (GU) cancers develop when a malignant (cancerous) tumor forms from the cells in an area of the genitourinary system, which includes the urinary tract and male genital tract. Prognosis (outcomes) and treatment are dependent on a variety of factors, including the type of GU cancer and stage at diagnosis. Treatment options can include local and/or systemic therapies. Local therapy refers to treatment targeting the specific tumor site without affecting the rest of the body (e.g., surgery, radiation therapy). Systemic therapy intends to treat cancer cells throughout the entire body (e.g., chemotherapy).

GU cancers include:

Gynecological (GYN) cancers develop when a malignant (cancerous) tumor forms from the cells in a female reproductive organ. Prognosis (outcome) and treatment are dependent on a variety of factors, including the type of GYN cancer and stage at diagnosis. Treatment options include local and/or systemic therapies. Local therapy refers to treatment targeting the specific tumor site without affecting the rest of the body (e.g., surgery, radiation therapy). Systemic therapy intends to treat cancer cells throughout the entire body (e.g., chemotherapy). People with cancer often get more thanone kind of treatment.

GYN cancers include:

Head and neck cancers develop when a malignant (cancerous) tumor forms from the cells in the head or neck region, not including thyroid or skin cancers. Prognosis (outcome) and treatment are dependent on a variety of factors, including the type of head and neck cancer and the stage at diagnosis. Treatment options can include local and/or systemic therapies. Local therapy refers to treatment specifically targeting the tumor site without affecting the rest of the body (e.g., surgery, radiation therapy). Systemic therapy intends to treat cancer cells throughout the entire body (e.g., chemotherapy). People with cancer often get more than one kind of treatment.

Head and neck cancers include:

Hematologic and blood-related cancers develop when cells in the blood or bone marrow become malignant (cancerous). Since these cancers involve abnormalities in levels of blood cells and platelets, a variety of blood tests and a bone marrow biopsy are often done to diagnose hematologic malignancies. Treatment for hematologic cancer is determined by a variety of factors, including the specific type of cancer and the stage and extent of disease present. Treatment options usually involve various regimens of systemic treatment, including chemotherapy. Systemic therapy intends to treat cancer cells throughout the entire body.

Hematologic cancers include:

Melanoma is a disease in which malignant (cancerous) cells form in a type of skin cell called melanocytes. Melanoma of the skin is less common than other types of skin cancers, such as basal cell skin cancer and squamous cell skin cancer. However, melanoma is harder to treat when not caught early because it is more likely to spread to other parts of the body.

Treatment options are dependent on a variety of factors and can include local and/or systemic therapies. Local therapy refers to treatment targeting the specific tumor site without affecting the rest of the body (e.g., surgery, radiation therapy). Systemic therapy intends to treat cancer cells throughout the entire body (e.g., chemotherapy).

Sarcoma cancer develops when a malignant (cancerous) tumor forms from cells of the soft tissue (e.g., fat, muscle or joint tissue) or bone. Sarcomas are rare cancers, and while they can affect people of all ages, certain subtypes are more common in children than adults.

Prognosis (outcome) and treatment for sarcoma cancers is determined by a variety of factors, including the subtype of sarcoma, the location of the tumor in the body, and the size of the tumor to name a few. Treatment options can include local and/or systemic therapies. Local therapy refers to treatment targeting the specific tumor site without affecting the rest of the body (e.g., surgery, radiation therapy). Systemic therapy intends to treat cancer cells throughout the entire body (e.g., chemotherapy). People with cancer often get more than one kind of treatment.

Thoracic cancer develops when a malignant (cancerous) tumor forms from cells of the esophagus or lungs. Prognosis (outcome) and treatment for thoracic cancers is determined by a variety of factors, including the specific type of cancer, the location of the tumor in the body, and the size of the tumor to name a few. Treatment options can include local and/or systemic therapies. Local therapy refers to treatment targeting the specific tumor site without affecting the rest of the body (e.g., surgery, radiation therapy). Systemic therapy intends to treat cancer cells throughout the entire body (e.g., chemotherapy). People with cancer often get more than one kind of treatment.

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