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Cancer types
Bladder cancer
Bladder cancer affects about 3,000 Australians annually and is commoner in people over 60 and in men. It can be treated if found early.
Bone cancer
Primary bone cancer, which begins in the bones, is rare. But many other cancers, such as lung or breast cancer, can then spread to the bones.
Bowel cancer
Most bowel cancers develop from polyps, tiny growths in the colon or rectum. Removing polyps can reduce the risk of bowel cancer. Learn more here.
Bowen's disease
Bowen's disease is a very early form of skin cancer. There are good treatments available, but don't ignore it since it can spread and become more seri...
Brain tumours
A brain tumour is a lump of abnormal benign or malignant cells that grows in the brain. It can seriously affect the body’s functions and thinking.
Breast cancer
Breast cancer often shows as a lump in the breast tissue, although most breast lumps are not cancerous. If detected early on, recovery is more likely.
Cancer of the uterus
Uterine cancer is the most common gynaecological cancer. You can find out more about the different types of uterine cancer by reading our trusted part...
Cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that develops in a woman's cervix. It is one of a few cancers where screening can detect pre-cancerous lesions.
Eye cancer
Eye cancer develops when abnormal cells in the eye grow and divide uncontrollably. Eye cancer can be hard to treat, but it is rare in Australia.
Kidney cancer
Kidney cancer (or renal cancer) grows in the cells of the kidneys. Treatments for kidney cancer are improving, especially if it is detected early.
Leukaemia
Leukaemia affects the formation of white blood cells. Not all types of leukaemia are curable and there are several risk factors and treatment types.
Liver cancer
Liver cancer is one of the top 10 causes of cancer deaths in Australia. Learn more here about liver cancer and the different types and treatments.
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is one of the most common but serious types of cancer. Read here about the types, causes, symptoms, treatments and prevention.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a lethal cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, maybe decades ago. Australia has one of the world’s highest rates of mesothelioma.
Mouth cancer
Mouth cancer is a common cancer and affects the tongue, lips, cheeks or soft palate. An early diagnosis increases the chances of successful treatment.
Multiple myeloma
When plasma cells grow abnormally and build up in the bone marrow, they are known as myeloma cells.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system. Find out how it develops and learn about one person’s experience after being diagnosed.
Oesophageal cancer
Oesophageal cancer develops in the ‘tube’ between the throat and the stomach. It’s a very serious condition and important to know the risk factors.
Ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer is most common in women aged over 50. Find out about the different types and the symptoms, which can be difficult to recognise.
Pancreatic cancer
Most cases of pancreatic cancer occur in people over the age of 50. Find out why the stage at which the cancer is diagnosed is so important.
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is the commonest cancer in men. Having symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you have it, but a doctor should still investigate.
Skin cancer
Skin cancer is mainly caused by exposure to sun. Most skin cancers can be successfully treated if found early, but you need to know what to look for.
Stomach cancer
Stomach cancer, commonest in men over 50, doesn’t always have symptoms. You might reduce your risk of stomach cancer by making changes to your diet.
Testicular cancer
Testicular cancer is the second most common cancer in men aged 18 to 39. The chances of treatment being successful are very high. Learn more here.
Throat cancer
Throat cancer can be treated if diagnosed early so you should see a doctor if you’re concerned. Learn about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment here.
Thyroid cancer
Thyroid cancer can, in most cases, be treated. Find out how it develops, what the symptoms are and when you should see a doctor.
Need more information?
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Top results
Cancer Types | Cancer Australia
A national government agency working to reduce the impact of cancer on all Australians. Provides information on the disease, research and clinical trials.
Read more on Cancer Australia website
Cancer Types | Cancer Australia
A national government agency working to reduce the impact of cancer on all Australians. Provides information on the disease, research and clinical trials.
Read more on Cancer Australia website
Prostate Cancer Types | myVMC
There are several different types of prostate cancer, including adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine carcinoma. Non-cancerous conditions related to prostate cancer include benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatic intraepithelial neoplasi
Read more on myVMC – Virtual Medical Centre website
Cancer Types - Information, Treatment & Support - CanTeen
Here you'll find everything you need to know about the different cancer types, treatments and how they affect you. Learn more with CanTeen.
Read more on CanTeen website
Squamous Cell Carcinoma - Information, Treatment & Support - CanTeen
Squamous cell carcinoma, or SCC, is a cancer of the cells at the bottom of the skin's outermost layer. Learn more about causes and treatments with CanTeen.
Read more on CanTeen website
Squamous cell carcinoma - ACD
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is one of the most common forms of skin cancer, with only basal cell carcinoma (BCC) occurring more frequently. SCC occurs mainly in Caucasians
Read more on Australasian College of Dermatologists website
Basal Cell Carcinoma - Information, Treatment & Support - CanTeen
Basal cell carcinoma, or BCC, is a cancer of the cells at the bottom of the skin's outermost layer. Learn more about causes, diagnosis and treatments with CanTeen.
Read more on CanTeen website
Merkel cell carcinoma - ACD
Merkel cell carcinoma is a very uncommon type of aggressive skin cancer. It presents most commonly in elderly fair-skinned individuals, particularly in sun-exposed areas on the head, neck and limbs.
Read more on Australasian College of Dermatologists website
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) - ACD
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer. Fortunately it is also the least dangerous and almost always completely cured by treatment.
Read more on Australasian College of Dermatologists website
Skin cancer symptoms, types, prevention and treatment
Skin cancer types including melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma can be prevented by reducing sun exposure. Find out more...
Read more on myVMC – Virtual Medical Centre website
Top results
Interventions for squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva in HIV-infected individuals | Cochrane
Conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma, a tumour of the thin membrane that covers the white of the eye, is becoming more common, more aggressive, and affecting more young people, especially women. This pattern is associated with the HIV/AIDS pandemic, exposure to solar radiation, and infection with human papilloma virus (HPV). Various treatment modalities exist, but the recurrence rate is high and the cosmetic outcome of late disease unsightly (Figure 1). Death may occur when the disease spreads to the surrounding structures and the brain. This review was conducted to evaluate the effects of the current interventions. No randomised controlled trials of any interventions for this cancer were found. Current clinical practice appears to be based on case series and case reports. These are weak sources of evidence for the effectiveness of a treatment. Randomised controlled clinical trials are needed.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Combined use of hyperthermia and radiation therapy for treating locally advanced cervix carcinoma | Cochrane
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Tamoxifen does not improve survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma | Cochrane
Hepatocellular carcinoma (primary liver cancer) is a common cause of death from cancer world-wide. It is usually fatal in patients who cannot be treated with surgery or other local treatments. Tamoxifen is an anti-oestrogen drug, which has been tested in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. The reviewers identified 10 trials assessing the effect of tamoxifen on survival, quality of life, tumour size, and treatment side effects in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Tamoxifen had no significant effect on survival or tumour size. Tamoxifen did not improve quality of life.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Transarterial (chemo)embolisation for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma | Cochrane
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and the third most common cause of death from cancer. Several interventions have been tried in order to prolong survival and improve quality of life for such patients. During the last 20 years, transarterial embolisation (TAE) and transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) have gained considerable attention and have been advocated as standard loco-regional treatment for unresectable HCC. The review included nine trials with 645 participants. Six trials assessed TACE versus control and three trials assessed TAE versus control. All trials had risks of systematic errors ('bias'). Contrary to current practice in many hospitals, we could not demonstrate any beneficial effect of TACE or TAE on either survival or tumour growth in patients with primary liver cancer not suitable for surgical resection. Furthermore, we calculated that more clinical trials involving a further 383 trial participants may be needed before firm evidence may become available. Importantly, TACE or TAE is associated with a wide range of adverse events, some being potentially serious. Accordingly, we recommend that TACE or TAE should not be used as standard treatment for liver cancer until firmer evidence is available from randomised clinical trials.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Interventions for basal cell carcinoma of the skin | Cochrane
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common human cancer. It is usually caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet light. Although not life threatening, basal cell carcinoma can destroy the skin and neighbouring tissues, causing significant cosmetic disfigurement, especially on the face. Treatments include surgical removal, radiotherapy, cryotherapy (freezing), phototherapy (light therapy) and creams. Surgery and radiotherapy appear to be the most effective treatments for basal cell carcinoma and Mohs' micrographic surgery (the removal of the tumour layer by layer until it has gone, as determined histologically) the most effective for high risk facial basal cell carcinoma. Photodynamic therapy appears to be useful in the short-term, especially for people who wish to avoid scarring. However, long-term follow-up is needed. Cryotherapy, while convenient and less expensive, does not have a higher cure rate. Early results for imiquimod cream are promising for superficial basal cell carcinoma, and results from an ongoing study are awaited.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Radioiodine therapy for differentiated thyroid carcinoma with thyroglobulin positive and radioactive iodine negative metastases | Cochrane
Radioiodine therapy for differentiated thyroid carcinoma with thyroglobulin positive and radioactive iodine negative metastases
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Curative surgery for obstruction from primary left colorectal carcinoma: Primary or staged resection? | Cochrane
Curative surgery for obstruction from primary left colorectal carcinoma: Primary or staged resection?
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Surgical resection versus liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma | Cochrane
The two main treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma are liver transplantation and liver resection. To compare these two methods with each other, we searched literature databases until February 2013 for randomised clinical trials comparing hepatic resection versus liver transplantation as the methods of managing hepatocellular carcinoma. None of the identified studies met our inclusion criteria. There were no randomised clinical trials found that could be included for analysis in this review. No randomised clinical trials could support or refute surgical resection compared with liver transplantation for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Yttrium microsphere radioembolisation for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (primary liver cancer) | Cochrane
What are the benefits and harms of yttrium-90 microsphere radioembolisation in people with advanced liver cancer compared with other available therapies?
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Surgery for upper tract transitional cell carcinoma | Cochrane
Upper tract transitional cell carcinoma is an uncommon cancer mainly affecting the draining system of the kidney (kidney pelvis) and ureter (the tube through which urine passes from the kidney to the bladder). The main treatment approach for this condition is surgical removal of the malignant area. There are a number of surgical techniques for this procedure and the aim of this review was to compare them and determine which was the most effective in terms of surgical ease, patient morbidity, clinical outcome and cost. Our search of the literature found no high quality evidence comparing different surgical techniques. Evidence from one small randomised trial and observational studies suggests that laparoscopic surgical intervention may reduce blood loss, post-operative pain and hospital stay. However, the quality of the evidence is poor and, therefore, it is not possible to recommend the most effective surgical procedure to replace the existing clinical practice for managing upper tract transitional cell carcinoma.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
