Solid Tumors
Solid tumors represent the most common type of cancer. Most solid tumors are carcinomas, which usually begin in the skin or the surface of internal organs and glands. Sarcomas are another type of solid tumor beginning in supportive tissue like muscles, tendons or fat.
Carcinoma
Carcinomas represent the the most common type of cancer. They begin in the epithelial tissue of the skin, cells forming the covering of all body surfaces, or in tissue that lines internal organs such as the colon, liver, kidney or lungs. This type of cancer can spread to other parts of the body or be confined to its primary location. The various forms of carcinoma are:
- In situ: generally early-stage cancer that is confined to the primary tissue in which it started.
- Invasive: cancer that has spread beyond the primary tissue in which it started to surrounding tissue.
- Metastatic: cancer that has spread from the primary site throughout the body to other tissue and organs.
Sarcomas
Sarcomas are another type of solid tumor cancer. These tumors start in connective tissue such are cartilage, bone and nerves. Most sarcomas are malignant, meaning that the cancerous cells will continue to grow uncontrollably and can spread the disease to parts of the body beyond where the cancer started.
