Cancer is never a comfortable topic of discussion. However, it is an important one. The condition affects millions of people across the world, and that also includes loved ones of those who are diagnosed with it. Knowing how cancer develops and understanding its different types and the signs can help bring clarity to a subject that often feels too much to accept. With the right information, individuals can understand how cancer behaves and the medical approaches used to manage it. Types of cancer There are over a hundred known forms of cancer, but all of those can be broadly categorized into five types, based on where they begin in the body and how they grow. Carcinoma A cancer that develops in the epithelial cells that form the protective barriers or linings of organs is called carcinoma. This type of cancer usually starts when these surface cells begin to grow abnormally and divide rapidly. Lymphoma This is a type of cancer that starts in the lymphatic system, which plays an important role in fighting infections and cleaning body fluids. Leukemia Commonly referred to as blood cancer, leukemia begins in the bone marrow, where blood cells are produced. In this condition, the marrow creates large numbers of abnormal blood cells, which crowd out healthy red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.