Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body.
Usually, abnormal cells die or are destroyed. When abnormal cells survive and accumulate, cancer occurs. Cancer cells typically form a malignant tumour and some of these cells can break loose and spread to other parts of the body. There are many distinct types of cancer that share common features, but in other respects are very different. Some of these cancers can be cured, but not others.