A person with cancer has a collection of abnormal cells in the body that multiply out of control. Cancer cells from the tumor can spread through the blood or lymph to start new cancers in other parts of the body. This process is called metastasis.

Cancer can affect any tissue in the body.

The most commonly affected tissues in men are:

• Skin
• Prostate
• Lungs
• Colon and rectum
• Bladder
• Lymphatic system
• Kidney
• Pharynx and throat
• Bone marrow
• Pancreas

The most commonly affected tissues in women are:

• Skin
• Breast
• Lungs
• Colon and rectum
• Uterus and cervix
• Lymphatic system
• Ovaries
• Bone marrow