Search over 1.4 million articles by over 600 experts
  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Colon Cancer

More from About.com

Browse Topics A-Z

Types of Cancer

There are many types of cancer. Yes, colorectal cancer is one type. But it can be broken down even further; there are many types of colorectal cancer as well. Adenocarcinoma is the most common colon cancer type, but others include melanoma, lymphoma, and carcinoid. Browse these articles to learn more about each type of cancer.
Types of Colon Cancer
Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of colon cancer but there are many other forms as well. Examples include leiomyosarcoma, lymphoma, melanoma, and neuroendocrine tumors. Here, you can learn more about each type of colon cancer.
Adenocarcinoma of the Colon and Rectum
Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of colorectal cancer. Learn what "adenocarcinoma" means, where it comes from, what its subtypes are, and more.
Aggressive Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Colon and Rectum
Aggressive neuroendocrine tumors of the colon and rectum account for about four percent of all colorectal cancers. The average age at diagnosis is 65, and they seem to favor the right (ascending) colon.
Leiomyosarcoma of the Colon and Rectum
Colorectal sarcomas occur in the smooth muscle of the colon and are called leiomyosarcomas. Leiomyosarcomas account for less than two percent of colorectal cancers and have a fairly high chance of metastasizing.
Lymphoma of the Colon and Rectum
Lymphoma of the colon and rectum accounts for less than half a percent of all colorectal cancers. A lymphoma is like a city whose mayor has gone mad and designs a machine to crank out drones who have one purpose: to make sure he stays in office.
Malignant Melanoma of the Colon and Rectum
When most people think of malignant melanoma, the first thing that comes to mind is skin cancer. But malignant melanoma can occur in a lot of places, including the colon and rectum.
Mucinous Adenocarcinoma of the Colon and Rectum
Scientists think that the presence of mucus allows cancer cells to spread faster. As a result, mucinous adenocarcinomas are considered more aggressive than regular adenocarcinomas and are harder to successfully treat. Mucinous adenocarcinomas account for about 10-15% of all adenocarcinomas.
Signet Ring Cell Adenocarcinoma of the Colon and Rectum
Signet ring cell adenocarcinomas are considered more aggressive than regular adenocarcinomas and are harder to successfully treat. The signet ring cell form is very uncommon and accounts for about 0.1% of all adenocarcinomas.
  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Colon Cancer
  4. Types of Cancer

©2008 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.