These abnormal cells may form malignant tumors which can develop in various parts of the body. Even when cancer spreads from the original site, or the primary tumor, to other parts of the body, the abnormal cell stays the same type of abnormal cell. For that reason, most cancers are named for the type of cell or organ in which they began.
Cancer is a very serious disease.
However, being diagnosed with it is not a certain death sentence. In fact, most types of cancer can be treated and some even cured. Despite incredible medical advances, cancer is ranked second only to cardiovascular disease as the deadliest killer in America - claiming approximately 560,000 lives last year. More than four out of 10 people diagnosed with cancer are surviving. Preliminary data for 1995 suggests that cancer deaths have begun to decline for the first time.