Solid Tumor Cancers

Solid tumor cancers refer to cancers that form a lump or mass of tissue, which is often a result of the abnormal growth of cells. These tumors can develop in various parts of the body and are typically classified based on their origin, such as carcinomas (cancers of epithelial cells), sarcomas (cancers of connective tissue), or brain tumors (which may arise in the nervous tissue).

Unlike blood cancers (such as leukemia, which affects the blood and bone marrow and doesn’t form solid masses), solid tumors are characterized by the formation of a tangible mass or growth.

• Carcinomas: These are the most common types of solid tumors and begin in epithelial cells, which line the inside and outside surfaces of the body. Examples include:
  • Breast cancer (originates in breast tissue)
  • Lung cancer (originates in the lung tissue)
  • Colon cancer (originates in the colon or rectum)
  • Prostate cancer (originates in the prostate gland)
  • Pancreatic cancer (originates in the pancreas)
• Sarcomas: These are cancers that start in the bone, and soft tissues, such as bones, muscles, cartilage, and fat. Some examples include:
  • Osteosarcoma (bone cancer)
  • Liposarcoma (cancer of fat cells)
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma (cancer of muscle tissue)
• Brain tumors: These can be primary (originating in the brain) or metastatic (spreading from other parts of the body). Brain tumors are a type of solid tumor, though the tumor mass may be more difficult to remove due to the location and complexity of the brain’s structure.

Characteristics of Solid Tumors

• Growth: Solid tumors grow as masses of cells that may push into surrounding tissues, making them often palpable (able to be felt) or visible on imaging tests.
• Types of Tumor Growth: Some solid tumors are benign (non-cancerous) and do not spread, while others are malignant (cancerous) and can invade surrounding tissues and spread to other parts of the body through metastasis.
• Diagnosis and Staging: Solid tumors are usually diagnosed with imaging tests (like CT scans, MRIs, or ultrasounds) and biopsy, where a sample of the tumor is taken for analysis. The stage of the cancer refers to, where the tumor is located, the size of the tumor, and if it has spread to nearby lymph nodes or other parts of the body is critical for determining treatment.