Cancer and the Human Body: An Inside

Look
NFCR is happy to bring you an interactive body map of various kinds of cancer and their
effects on the human body. To learn more about the differences in brain cancer versus breast
cancer, or how the spread of esophageal cancer varies from the spread of colon cancer, take a
moment to explore the interactive model below. By moving your mouse over different parts
of the human body, you can learn about the specific cancers that can affect that organ. In
addition, this page offers information about symptoms, prevention and detection techniques,
and ways to fight cancer. Find out more today.

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 BRAI N CANCER

Description: Brain cancer can

develop in the brain or start somewhere else in the body
and move to your brain. Because the Brain is a vital organ, early detection is key to properly
treating and preventing fatality.

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 ANAPLASTIC THYROID CANCER

Description: Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer is very rare cancer that starts in a gland in your
neck. It is more dangerous because it moves quickly. Most people do not survive longer than
6 months due to the aggressive nature of this disease and lack of effective treatment options.

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OVARIAN CANCER

Description: Ovarian cancer only affects women and is found in the ovaries, part of the
female reproductive system. Known as the Silent Killer too often the cancer goes
undiagnosed until after the disease is far advanced and has spread throughout the abdomen or
to distant organs.

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LUNG CANCER

Description: Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers and is the leading killer among
all types of cancer. Smoking causes most cases of lung cancer. If we can initiate a disconnect
between smoking and lung cancer, countless lives will be saved.

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 BONE CANCER

Description: Primary bone cancer is cancer that forms in the cells of the bone, while
secondary bone cancer is cancer that spreads to the bone from another part of the body.
Primary bone cancer is extremely rare, and benign (noncancerous) bone tumors are more
common than malignant (cancerous) ones.

BREAST CANCER

Description: Breast cancer usually affects women, but men can get it too. 90% of those who
are diagnosed with breast cancer lose their lives to the cancer spreading to the rest of their
bodies. People will often have a lump in the breast, which is why mammography and self-
exams can help detect the cancer early.

CERVICAL CANCER

Description: The cervix is a female reproductive organ that forms the lower portion of the
uterus or womb, and cancer occurs when tcervical cells grow out of control. In most cases,
the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) causes cervical cancer.

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 COLON CANCER

Description: Colon cancer, also called colorectal cancer, is cancer of the colon or rectum. It
is more common in people over 50, but can affect people younger than 50 too. Because of the
complexity of colon cancer the future for a cure relies heavily on analysis on a genetic level
then adapting the results to the individual.

ESOPHAGEAL CANCER

Description: Esophageal cancer affects the esophagus, a tube that carries food and drinks
from your throat to your stomach. Early esophageal cancer usually does not cause any
symptoms, but later people will have difficulty swallowing, weight loss, and might cough up
blood.

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HEAD AND NECK CANCER

Description: Head and neck cancer includes cancers found in the mouth, nose, sinuses,
salivary glands, throat and lymph nodes in the neck. Most start in the tissues that line the
mouth, nose and throat and are strongly linked to tobacco use.

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 KIDNEY CANCER

Description: Kidney cancer forms in the lining of tubes in your kidneys that are used to filter
and clean blood. Kidney Cancer Spreads rapidly because of the kidneys role in blood
circulation.

LEUKEMIA

Description: Leukemia is a cancer found in the white blood cells, which help the body fight
infection. Without the bodys natural defense system, we are prone to anemia, bleeding and
infections

LIVER CANCER

Description: The liver is the largest organ inside the body, and performs many vital
functions: a person cannot survive without his or her liver. More common in African and East
Asian countries, liver cancer is often tied to hepatitis infection (A, B, and C).

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 LYMPHOMA CANCER

Description: Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma occur in the immune system and affects
white blood cells. It can start in the lymph nodes, spleen, liver or bone marrow. The available
treatment options are not effective enough and more than 20,000 children and adults are
expected to lose their battle against this lethal disease in 2012 alone.

MELANOMA CANCER

Description: Although most skin cancers are curable, melanoma claimed an estimated 9,000
U.S. lives in 2012, and accounts for 75% of all skin cancer deaths. Melanoma is more
difficult to prevent because, unlike other types of skin cancer, heredity plays a major role in
its development.

MESOTHELIOMA CANCER

Description: Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer, in which malignant cells grow in the
chest or abdomen lining. Most individuals who develop mesothelioma have been exposed to
airborne asbestos particles on a regular basis.

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 MULTIPLE MYELOMA

Description: Multiple Myeloma forms in a specific type of white blood cell plasma cells.
Over time, myeloma cells collect in the bone marrow and in solid parts of bone.

PROSTATE CANCER

Description: Prostate cancer only affects men and occurs in a gland located below the
bladder. Currently, no effective treatment is currently available for when after the cancer has
reached advanced stages.

PANCREATIC CANCER

Description: Pancreatic cancer occurs in a gland that is located behind the stomach and helps
to break down food. While treatment exists, there is a greater potential to advance these
treatments to have a higher survival rate.

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 BLADDER CANCER

Description: In 2013, about 55,000 men and 18,000 women will be diagnosed with bladder
cancer in the U.S., and most will be over 70 years old. While some bladder tumors are
benign, malignant tumors pose a threat due to their ability to spread to other parts of the body.

SARCOMA

Description: Sarcoma is a very rare cancer that occurs in soft tissues such as fat, muscles or
nerves. There are many different types, depending on what tissue the sarcoma starts in.

SKIN CANCER

Description: Most skin damage leading to skin cancer is caused by over-exposure to UV rays
from the sun and tanning beds. So, skin cancer usually forms on parts of the body that are
more exposed to the sun the head, face, neck, hands and arms.

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 TESTICULAR CANCER

Description: Testicular cancer occurs when malignant cells are found in one or both testicles.
While it only accounts for 1% of all cancers in men, it is the most common type of cancer in
young men between the ages of 15 and 35.

THYROID CANCER

Description: The thyroid is a hormone-producing gland at the front of our neck (beneath the
larynx). Usually, thyroid cells grow and divide, as the body needs them. Sometimes, this
process goes awry, leading to the buildup of extra cells.

UTERINE CANCER

Description: Uterine cancer, also called endometrial cancer, is a cancer that originates in the
inner lining of the uterus. Most known risk factors appear to be related to changes in the
balance between estrogen and progesterone, two main female hormones.

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 CHILDHOOD CANCER

Description: Children can get cancer in the same body parts as adults, but childhood cancers
appear suddenly and without early symptoms. Childrens immature immune system allows
the red flags cancer to stay dormant, for longer periods.

BRAIN CANCER

Description: Brain cancer can develop in the brain or start somewhere else in the body and
move to your brain. Because the Brain is a vital organ, early detection is key to properly
treating and preventing fatality.

GASTRIC CANCER

Description: In 2013, more than 13,000 men and 8,000 women will be diagnosed with
gastric (or stomach) cancer in the U.S., and most will be over 70 years old. Gastric cancer
typically begins in the inner layer of the stomach, and can spread, or metastasize, into nearby
organs or lymph nodes.

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 ANAPLASTIC THYROID CANCER

Description: Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer is very rare cancer that starts in a gland in your
neck. It is more dangerous because it moves quickly. Most people do not survive longer than
6 months due to the aggressive nature of this disease and lack of effective treatment options.

OVARIAN CANCER

Description: Ovarian cancer only affects women and is found in the ovaries, part of the
female reproductive system. Known as the Silent Killer too often the cancer goes
undiagnosed until after the disease is far advanced and has spread throughout the abdomen or
to distant organs.

LUNG CANCER

Description: Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers and is the leading killer among
all types of cancer. Smoking causes most cases of lung cancer. If we can initiate a disconnect
between smoking and lung cancer, countless lives will be saved.

12
 BONE CANCER

Description: Primary bone cancer is cancer that forms in the cells of the bone, while
secondary bone cancer is cancer that spreads to the bone from another part of the body.
Primary bone cancer is extremely rare, and benign (noncancerous) bone tumors are more
common than malignant (cancerous) ones.

BREAST CANCER

Description: Breast cancer usually affects women, but men can get it too. 90% of those who
are diagnosed with breast cancer lose their lives to the cancer spreading to the rest of their
bodies. People will often have a lump in the breast, which is why mammography and self-
exams can help detect the cancer early.

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