Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center

Nasopharyngeal cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the nasopharynx.
Ethnic background and being exposed to the Epstein-Barr virus can affect the risk of nasopharyngeal cancer.
Signs of nasopharyngeal cancer include trouble breathing, speaking, or hearing.
Tests that examine the nose, throat, and nearby organs are used to diagnose and stage nasopharyngeal cancer.
Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.

Myeloproliferative neoplasms are a group of diseases in which the bone marrow makes too many red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets.
There are 6 types of chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms.
Tests that examine the blood and bone marrow are used to diagnose chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms.

Myelodysplastic syndromes are a group of cancers in which immature blood cells in the bone marrow do not mature or become healthy blood cells.
The different types of myelodysplastic syndromes are diagnosed based on certain changes in the blood cells and bone marrow.
Age and past treatment with chemotherapy or radiation therapy affect the risk of a myelodysplastic syndrome.
Signs and symptoms of a myelodysplastic syndrome include shortness of breath and feeling tired.
Tests that examine the blood and bone marrow are used to diagnose myelodysplastic syndromes.
Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.

Plasma cell neoplasms are diseases in which the body makes too many plasma cells.
Plasma cell neoplasms can be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer).
There are several types of plasma cell neoplasms.
- Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)
- Plasmacytoma
- Multiple myeloma
Multiple myeloma and other plasma cell neoplasms may cause a condition called amyloidosis.
Age can affect the risk of plasma cell neoplasms.
Tests that examine the blood, bone marrow, and urine are used to diagnose multiple myeloma and other plasma cell neoplasms.
Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.

Melanoma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in melanocytes (cells that color the skin).
There are different types of cancer that start in the skin.
Melanoma can occur anywhere on the skin.
Unusual moles, exposure to sunlight, and health history can affect the risk of melanoma.
Signs of melanoma include a change in the way a mole or pigmented area looks.
Tests that examine the skin are used to diagnose melanoma.
Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.

Malignant mesothelioma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the lining of the chest or abdomen.
Being exposed to asbestos can affect the risk of malignant mesothelioma.
Signs and symptoms of malignant mesothelioma include shortness of breath and pain under the rib cage.
Tests that examine the inside of the chest and abdomen are used to diagnose malignant mesothelioma.
Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.

Osteosarcoma and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) of bone are diseases in which malignant (cancer) cells form in bone.
Having past treatment with chemotherapy or radiation can increase the risk of osteosarcoma.
Signs and symptoms of osteosarcoma and UPS include swelling over a bone or a bony part of the body and joint pain.
Imaging tests are used to detect (find) osteosarcoma and UPS.
A biopsy is done to diagnose osteosarcoma.
Certain factors may affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.

Non-small cell lung cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the lung.
There are several types of non-small cell lung cancer.
Smoking is the major risk factor for non-small cell lung cancer.
Signs of non-small cell lung cancer include a cough that doesn't go away and shortness of breath.
Tests that examine the lungs are used to diagnose and stage non-small cell lung cancer.
If lung cancer is suspected, a biopsy is done.
Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.
For most patients with non-small cell lung cancer, current treatments do not cure the cancer.

Small cell lung cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the lung.
There are two main types of small cell lung cancer.
Smoking is the major risk factor for small cell lung cancer.
Signs and symptoms of small cell lung cancer include coughing and shortness of breath.
Tests and procedures that examine the lungs are used to diagnose and stage small cell lung cancer.
Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.
For most patients with small cell lung cancer, current treatments do not cure the cancer.

Adult primary liver cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the liver.
There are two types of adult primary liver cancer.
Having hepatitis or cirrhosis can affect the risk of adult primary liver cancer.
Signs and symptoms of adult primary liver cancer include a lump or pain on the right side.
Tests that examine the liver and the blood are used to diagnose adult primary liver cancer.
Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.