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Cancer is a case of rogue cells gone wild. These multiply and invade adjacent tissues, and spread to other locations in the body (metastasis) through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. These rapidly reproducing cells do not function properly and are often shaped differently from healthy cells.

Cancer is named after the part of the body from whence it originated, even if it spreads elsewhere. For example, kidney cancer remains kidney cancer even if it spreads to the lungs. There are five broad categories of cancer: carcinoma (cancer found in epithelial tissue), sarcoma (malignant tumors growing from connective tissue), lymphoma (cancer originating from the nodes or glands of the lymphatic system, or in organs such as the brain and breast), leukemia (cancer of the bone marrow) and myeloma (cancer growing in the plasma cells of the bone marrow).

No single cause has been identified as being wholly responsible, but many cancers result from exposure to carcinogens. Smokers and those with unhealthy diets of excessive fat and highly acidic foods are at risk. Other causes include defective genes, excessive intake of alcohol, exposure to dangerous chemicals, radiation, and exposure to certain viruses. General symptoms of cancer include loss of appetite, tiredness, rapid weight loss for no apparent reason, and pain (especially at the late stage). Specific symptoms will depend upon the tissue or organ involved.