Top 14 Most Dangerous Cancers Today

Lung cancer is a common and dangerous form of cancer worldwide, affecting both men and women. Every day, there are up to 56 new cases of lung cancer, making it the most common cancer among men with 40 new cases daily. In women, lung cancer ranks among the top 3 most common cancers, with up to 16 new cases daily. This disease claims over 150,000 lives annually.

Lung cancer is caused by various factors, including chronic bronchitis, living in polluted environments, smoking, exposure to hazardous environments, and genetic factors. Symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, chronic coughing, unexplained weight loss, coughing up blood, and frequent infections should prompt immediate medical attention as they may indicate lung cancer. To reduce the risk of lung cancer, individuals should avoid alcohol, tobacco, consume clean food, engage in regular physical exercise, avoid polluted air, and undergo regular health check-ups.

Individuals at high risk of lung cancer include smokers, passive smokers, those with family members affected by lung cancer, and those working in environments with carcinogenic substances. Additionally, the risk of lung cancer increases with age.

Hepatic Cancer is the uncontrolled growth and development of cancer cells in the liver. According to Globocan 2018, liver cancer ranks first in both mortality and new cases in Vietnam. Depending on the origin of the malignant tumor, it is divided into primary liver cancer and metastatic liver cancer.

*Primary Liver Cancer:

Hepatic cell carcinoma (HCC)

Hepatic fibrolamellar carcinoma derived from liver cells

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma derived from bile duct cells in the liver

Mixed hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (Cholangiohepatocarcinoma)

Tumors developing from mesenchymal tissue are rare and include:

• Angiosarcoma
• Hepatoblastoma
• Smooth muscle tumor
• Leiomyosarcoma

*Metastatic Liver Cancer: About 40% of malignant tumors can metastasize to the liver, of which 95% of primary tumors belong to the portal vein system (stomach, small intestine, colon, pancreas, and bile duct). In addition, primary tumors can be from the breast, lung, thyroid, reproductive organs, or urinary system. Metastatic lesions may be a few small nodules on a normal liver background. Sometimes multiple lesions or one large lesion are present. Some special forms encountered include:

• Cystic metastases resembling liver cysts or compression. It may contain fluid – fluid sediment, commonly seen in metastatic mucinous carcinoma, melanoma, or lymphoma,
• Calcified metastases are usually small and scattered or seen in mucinous carcinoma of the colon or ovarian cancer.
• Vascular-rich metastases are commonly seen in endocrine tumors (carcinoid tumors, pancreas, adrenal cortex), trophoblastic tumors, or renal cell carcinoma.
• Infiltrative metastatic lesions: diffuse infiltration with an ill-defined structure commonly seen in renal cell carcinoma.
• Leukocyte metastases: lesions along the branching distribution of the portal vein.

Pancreatic cancer, also known as pancreatic carcinoma, is a type of cancer related to the tissues of the pancreas, an important endocrine organ located behind the stomach, near the gallbladder. The pancreas plays a role in producing digestive enzymes and hormones (glucagon and insulin) that regulate blood sugar levels. In this form of cancer, cells originating from the pancreas divide and multiply uncontrollably, spreading to surrounding tissues, forming malignant tumors, and causing death in patients.

Pancreatic cancer is divided into two main groups based on the affected endocrine or exocrine functions:

• Exocrine pancreatic cancer: Most pancreatic cancers originate from the exocrine part of the pancreas, where digestive enzymes are produced. The most common type in this category is adenocarcinoma, accounting for up to 85% of all pancreatic cancer cases. This type of cancer usually originates from cells in the pancreatic ducts. Other malignant pathologies may include:
  • Acinar cell carcinomas
  • Sarcomas of the pancreatic tissue
  • Lymphomas of the pancreatic tissue
  • Neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas
• Endocrine pancreatic cancer:
  • This type is less common, affecting the hormone-producing function of the pancreas. Tumors in this form are mostly benign and less invasive than exocrine pancreatic cancer.

Breast cancer is a malignant breast tumor when malignant cells form from within the breast glandular tissue. These cancer cells can then spread throughout the entire breast and metastasize to other parts of the body. It is the most common type of cancer in women.

According to global estimates, the global incidence of breast cancer in women is 24.5%, the highest among all types of cancer in women (according to the Global Cancer Observatory, 2020 data).

The most common type of breast cancer is ductal carcinoma, originating from the cells of the ducts. Cancer originating from lobules and lobular glands is called lobular carcinoma. Inflammatory breast cancer often presents with swelling, warmth, and redness, and it is a rare form of breast cancer.

When the following symptoms occur, timely examination is needed: there is an abnormal lump in the breast, fluid leakage from the nipple, or bleeding, redness of the breast skin or small pores, abnormal nipple protrusion... To reduce the risk of this disease, it is advisable to take one aspirin tablet per week, maintain stable weight, reduce alcohol consumption, and exercise regularly.

The ovaries are one of the female reproductive organs, each woman has 2 ovaries, they are located in the pelvic cavity and are about the size of a walnut.

The function of the ovaries is to produce eggs involved in the fertilization process and to produce female hormones including estrogen and progesterone. The two types of hormones produced by the ovaries affect the development of a woman's body and are related to the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.

Ovarian cancer is a malignant tumor originating from one or both ovaries. Cancer cells are abnormal cells that grow uncontrollably and do not respond to the body's needs. These cancer cells can invade and destroy surrounding tissues and organs. Moreover, they can metastasize to distant organs in the body and cause secondary cancers in those organs.

Types of ovarian cancer include:

• Epithelial ovarian cancer is cancer cells that develop from cells on the surface of the ovary, which is the most common type.
• Germ cell cancer is cancer that originates from cells that produce eggs, this type is less common than epithelial cancer.
• Stromal ovarian cancer originates from the supportive tissue cells of the ovary. This type is also rare.

The prostate gland is a gland found only in males, located below the bladder, in front of the rectum. The prostate gland surrounds the urethra and plays a crucial role in the reproductive process, as it produces seminal fluid and transports sperm.

Prostate cancer, also known as prostatic adenocarcinoma, is a common cancer in men, resulting from abnormal or uncontrolled growth of prostate gland cells. Typically, the disease progresses slowly in its early stages, and if detected and treated early, patients can live for many years, and even be completely cured. However, if the disease progresses to an advanced stage, the rate of progression can be very rapid, even leading to death.

Although the exact cause of prostate cancer is not yet fully understood, some studies suggest that dietary habits and genetics may influence the development of prostate gland cancer. Individuals who consume high-fat diets are at higher risk of developing the disease.

If experiencing difficulty urinating, frequent urination, blood in the urine or semen, pain in the lower back or hips, it is important to consult a doctor as these are signs of prostate cancer. Each year, about 32,000 deaths are attributed to this disease in men.

Colorectal cancer originates from the large intestine (the main part of the colon) or the rectum (the section connecting the colon and the anus). It is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women.

Most colorectal cancers arise from the proliferation of the colon lining called polyps. Some types of polyps may progress to cancer over several years. The likelihood of progression to cancer depends on the type of polyp. There are two main types of polyps:

• Adenomatous polyps: This type of polyp can sometimes progress to cancer, which is why adenomatous polyps are considered precancerous;
• Hyperplastic and inflammatory polyps: These are more common but are typically not precancerous conditions.

Esophageal cancer originates in the cells lining the esophagus. Over time, the cancer can invade deeper layers of the esophageal wall, and due to the absence of a mucosal barrier, it quickly infiltrates neighboring organs.

Cancer cells can spread by breaking away from the initial tumor and entering the bloodstream or lymphatic vessels around the esophagus, rapidly metastasizing to lymph nodes even in the early stages and spreading distantly to various body tissues such as the lungs, liver, and bones.

Estimates by the American Cancer Society for esophageal cancer in 2016 were:

• Approximately 16,910 new cases of esophageal cancer diagnosed (13,460 in men and 3,450 in women)
• About 15,690 deaths due to esophageal cancer (12,720 in men and 2,970 in women)
• The disease occurs in men about 3–4 times more often than in women. The lifetime risk of esophageal cancer in the United States is approximately 1 in 125 for men and about 1 in 435 for women.

Leukemia (acute myeloid leukemia) is a condition caused by cancerous blood cells during the process of cell formation, they proliferate rapidly and if not treated promptly, they will accumulate in the bone marrow, hindering the production of normal blood cells

There are three types of leukemia: leukemias (36%), lymphomas (46%), and myelomas (18%):

• Leukemia
  • Leukemia has an important role in immune system infection prevention, often occurring suddenly, progressing rapidly, and requiring urgent treatment.
  • When acute leukemia occurs, the body produces a large number of immature white blood cells, which clog the bone marrow, preventing the production of other necessary blood cells to build a balanced immune system and healthy blood flow.
  • Moreover, when white blood cells increase in number, they will mutate themselves starving and forced to eat red blood cells, causing anemia in the body.

• Lymphoma
  • Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that greatly affects the lymphoid system - an important part of the immune system, helping to protect the body from disease-causing agents such as bacteria and other pathogens.
  • When lymphoma develops, the body has produced an excessive number of lymphocytes in an unorganized manner, and these lymphocytes persist, causing overload conditions, damaging the body's immune system.
  • Lymphoma can develop in various parts of the body, including lymph nodes, bone marrow, liver, and other organs.

• Multiple myeloma (a type of blood cancer)
  • This is a blood cancer related to plasma cells. These plasma cells are found in the bone marrow, producing antibodies that help fight infection for the body.
  • In multiple myeloma, a large number of abnormal plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow, affecting the immune system.

Skin cancer is a common cancerous condition that can occur in all age groups. Skin cancer is one of the most common and easily diagnosable cancers. Skin cancers (excluding melanoma) are cancers that originate from the skin's covering epithelium, which consists of multiple layers of cells. The basal cell layer gives rise to basal cell carcinoma, the squamous cell layer gives rise to squamous cell carcinoma. Appendages of the skin such as sweat glands, sebaceous glands produce sweat gland cancer, sebaceous gland...

Skin cancer is common in fair-skinned individuals, mainly in older men more than women. The disease often appears in exposed skin areas, with a rate of 90% in the head and neck area. The incidence of skin cancer in Vietnam is about 2.9-4.5 per 100,000 people.

People with thin, fragile skin are often susceptible to this type of cancer. Skin cancer develops rapidly, with a high risk of death. Patients should adopt a healthy lifestyle, eat a balanced diet, and engage in physical activity to slow down the metastasis process of cancer cells, improving treatment effectiveness.

The cervix of women is covered by a thin layer of tissue - this layer is made up of cells. Cervical cancer is caused by cells in the cervix (the lower part of the uterus) starting to grow out of control. These new cells grow rapidly and form a tumor in the cervix.

Cervical cancer often develops silently over a long period (taking several years). During this time, cells in the cervix undergo abnormal changes due to changes in the vaginal environment or HPV infection. The transformation of these cells occurs before cancer appears and is called precancerous changes or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).

The first signs of cervical cancer include abnormal vaginal bleeding, such as bleeding between menstrual periods, longer than normal periods, bleeding after or during intercourse. Signs of developing cancer may include pelvic pain, abnormal urination, and swollen legs. If cancer has spread to nearby organs or lymph nodes, tumors may affect the functioning of those organs, for example, tumors pressing on the bladder or blocking veins.

When the body experiences abnormal bleeding between menstrual cycles or after intercourse, foul-smelling discharge, pink-colored discharge, fatigue, weakness... it's important to seek medical attention to identify the cause and treatment. This disease claims the lives of over 15,000 women each year.

Biliary tract cancer (cholangiocarcinoma): a rare type of cancer, mostly affecting people over 65 years old. The bile ducts are small tubes that connect the liver and the small intestine. They allow a fluid called bile, produced by the liver, to flow from the liver, through the pancreas, to the intestines, aiding in digestion.

Biliary tract cancer arises from the lining cells of the bile ducts, the conduit system for bile produced by the liver. Bile ducts collect bile, transport it to the gallbladder, and ultimately to the small intestine, aiding in the digestive process. Biliary tract cancer is also known as bile duct cancer.

Biliary tract cancer is a rare form of cancer, with about 2,500 new cases diagnosed in the United States each year.

There are three common locations where this type of cancer may arise within the biliary tract:

• Intrahepatic bile ducts: affecting the bile ducts inside the liver;
• Perihilar bile ducts: located in the hepatic duct bifurcation where the bile ducts exit the liver;
• Distal bile ducts: near the entrance of the bile ducts into the intestines.

Biliary tract cancer is most commonly found near the liver and least commonly within the liver. The incidence of bile duct cancer increases with age. It's a slow-growing cancer, invading internal structures, so diagnosis is often delayed until the bile ducts are obstructed. This obstruction prevents the flow of bile from the liver to the gallbladder and intestine. Depending on the site of obstruction, this can lead to hepatitis and/or pancreatitis.

Chronic inflammation of the bile ducts may be a risk factor for cancer. Diseases that cause chronic inflammation include primary sclerosing cholangitis (especially when associated with ulcerative colitis), chronic liver diseases, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, alcohol-related cirrhosis, and fatty liver disease. Some parasitic infections that cause liver infections can also increase the risk. Gallstones are not a risk factor for bile duct cancer, but gallstones in the liver increase the risk. Gallstones in the liver are common in Asian countries.

There are rare congenital diseases that increase the risk of bile duct cancer, including Lynch II syndrome (a hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer syndrome involving the biliary tract and other cancers) and Caroli's syndrome (high blood pressure, cirrhosis, and cystic tumors of the bile ducts).

Brain cancer refers to malignant tumors that develop in the brain, including two main types: primary brain cancer and secondary brain cancer metastasized from elsewhere (mainly from the lungs, breast, etc.). Depending on the location and size, brain cancer presents various symptoms and can pose a dangerous threat to the patient's life.

The exact causes of brain cancer are not yet fully understood. Brain cancer is not an infectious disease, but some cases have a hereditary component. Some syndromes associated with brain cancer include:

• Turcot syndrome: characterized by the formation of multiple benign polyps in the colon along with a primary brain tumor.
• Neurofibromatosis syndrome: also known as nerve fiber tumors, is a hereditary disorder related to neurological disorders affecting the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.
• In addition, exposure to radiation or a history of radiation therapy to the head and neck area, exposure to harmful chemicals (pesticides, petroleum, solvents, rubber chemicals, vinyl plastics, etc.) also increases the risk of brain cancer.
• Infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and CMV (Cytomegalovirus) increases the risk of brain cancer.

Gastric cancer is when the normal structural cells of the stomach become abnormally mutated and grow uncontrollably, invading nearby tissues (locally) or distant tissues (metastasis) through the bloodstream. Gastric cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, ranking third in men and fourth in women. If gastric cancer is detected early, treatment becomes easier.

Gastric cancer develops through 5 stages:

• Stage 0, also known as the early stage (initial stage). In this stage, new cancer cells are in the mucous layer of the stomach.
• Stage 1: Cancer cells have penetrated into the second layer of the stomach, although there are no clear symptoms yet and they have not spread to other organs.
• Stage 2: Transitioning to stage 2, cancer cells have moved through the mucous layer and begin to show some more pronounced symptoms: abdominal pain, nausea, etc.
• Stage 3: Cancer cells have begun to spread to other organs in the body.
• Stage 4: The final stage of gastric cancer. By this time, cancer cells have metastasized throughout the body and there is hardly any chance of cure.

Early-stage gastric cancer (or early-stage) is the period when new cancer cells are still in the submucosal layer. Typically, the size of the tumor in this stage is very small, only a few mm to 7cm, so it does not affect the digestive function of the stomach. Therefore, to detect early-stage gastric cancer, screening programs need to be implemented.

This is the fourth most common cancer in the world with 930,000 cases in 2002 and the second leading cause of death after lung cancer with about 800,000 deaths worldwide each year.