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world cancer report - iarc

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Human <strong>cancer</strong>s by organ site<br />

Malignant tumours can develop in any organ from cell types<br />

still actively engaged in replication. The nomenclature refers<br />

to the tissue of origin: carcinoma (derived from epithelial tissues),<br />

sarcoma (soft tissues and bone), glioma (brain),<br />

leukaemia and lymphoma (haematopoietic and lymphatic tissues),<br />

carcinomas being by far the most frequent type.<br />

Irrespective of the site, malignant transformation is a multistep<br />

process involving the sequential accumulation of genetic<br />

alterations. However, the types of oncogene or suppressor<br />

genes involved and the sequence of amplification or mutation<br />

varies greatly in different organs and target cells.<br />

Susceptibility to carcinogenic factors may depend on the<br />

capacity to metabolize chemical carcinogens, to effectively<br />

repair DNA damage or to harbour chronic infections. There are<br />

also marked variations in response to therapy and overall clinical<br />

outcome.<br />

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