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Cancer

By , About.com Guide

Updated October 05, 2009

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Definition: The term "cancer" encompasses a complex group of more than 100 different types of diseases. Cancer can affect just about every organ in the human body. It develops when normal cells begin multiplying uncontrollably. There is no single cause of cancer, but rather a multitude of factors can influence its development.

Each type of cancer is unique with its own causes, symptoms, and methods of treatment. Like all groups of disease, some types of cancer are more common than others.

A-Z Index: Types of Cancer

Pronunciation: can-ser
Examples:
I was diagnosed with cervical cancer when I was 26.

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