Rare Cancers, Cancer Subtypes, and Pre-Cancers

If you're having trouble finding information about a type of cancer, it may be a rare cancer or have more than one name. It might also be a condition known as a pre-cancer, which is something that might lead to or turn into cancer later. The links below might help you find the information you need.

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What is a rare cancer?
Why is it hard to find information on rare cancers?
Where to find treatment for a rare cancer
List of rare cancers , cancer subtypes , and pre-cancers
To find more information about rare cancers, cancer subtypes , and pre-cancers

What is a rare cancer?

Rare cancers are not as common as other cancers. Because fewer people have had them, less isknown about them , and information might be harder to find.

Why is it hard to find information on rare cancers?

Some cancers are so rare that only a small number of people are diagnosed with them each year. What is know n about each type of cancer is usually learned from clinical trials and doctor's experience s treating people with that cancer type. Because not many people have these rare cancers, they may not have been studied in clinical trials , and some doctors might nothave taken care of anyone with them. Much of the information about these cancers comes from case studies , whe re doctors share the experience of one patient so that others can learn about it.

Where to find treatment for a rare cancer

If you or someone you know has a rare cancer, you may need to travel to find a doctor or cancer center that has experience treating that cancer. Larger cancer centers or hospitals are also more likely to have clinical trials (research studies) you might be able to take part in. ACS has information that can help you choose a cancer center or hospital or choose a cancer doctor.

List of rare cancers , cancer subtypes , and pre-cancers

The list below includes cancerous and pre-cancerous conditions ( as well as some other conditions that might be related to cancer) and where to find more information about them.

Acinic cell carcinoma – a type of salivary gland cancer
ACTH-secreting tumor – this can bea type of pituitary tumor or pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor
Actinic keratosis – a skin condition that sometimes leads to squamous cell skin cancer
Acute erythroid leukemia – a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia – also known asacute lymphocytic leukemia
Acute megakaryoblastic leukemia – a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia
Acute monocytic leukemia – a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia
Acute myeloblastic leukemia - a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia
Acute myelocytic leukemia – also known asacute myeloid leukemia
Acute myelogenous leukemia – also known asacute myeloid leukemia
Acute myelomonocytic leukemia – a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia
Acute non-lymphocytic leukemia – also kno w n asacute myeloid leukemia
Acute promyelocytic leukemia – a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia
Adamantinoma – a type of bone cancer in young adults. See the National Cancer Institute
Adenoid cystic carcinoma – a raretype of cancer that can start in organs such as the salivary gland s , lungs, or breast
Alveolar soft part sarcoma – a type of soft tissue sarcoma
Ampullary cancer (carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater) – a type of cancer that starts where digestive ducts empty into the small intestine, and which is treated like pancreatic cancer
Angiosarcoma – a type of soft tissue sarcoma , which can sometimes start in the breast
Appendix (appendiceal) neuroendocrine (carcinoid) tumor – a type of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumor
Askin tumor – a type of Ewing tumor ( Ewing sarcoma)
B-cell lymphoma – a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Barrett's disease (Barrett's esophagus) – a condition that cansometimes lead to esophagus cancer
Bartholin gland cancer – a type of vulvar cancer
Basaloid squamous cell carcinomaof the anus ( previously known as cloa cogenic carcinoma) – a type of anal cancer
Bowen disease (squamous cell carcinoma in situ) – a very early form of squamous cell skin cancer , which can sometimes develop on thepeni s
Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (adenocarcinoma in situ ) – a type of non-small cell lung cancer
Carcinoid tumor – a type of neuroendocrine tumor (NET) that can develop in the lung s or in the gastrointestinal (digestive) tract
Carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater – a type of cancer that starts where digestive ducts empty into the small intestine, and which is treated likepancreatic cancer
Cardiac angiosarcoma – a type of soft tissue sarcoma t hat starts in blood vessels of the heart
Castleman disease (giant lymph node hyperplasia; angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia) – a rare condition in which there's an overgrowth of cells in the lymph nodes. See the Castleman Disease Collaborative Network or the National Institutes of Health Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center .
Cholangiocarcinoma – also known as bile duct cancer
Choriocarcinoma – a type of germ cell tumor that can start in the testic les, ovari es, or brain
Choroid plexus tumor – a raretype of brain and spinal cord tumor t hat most often occurs in children
Chondrosarcoma – a type of bone cancer t hat starts in early forms of cartilage cells
Chordoma – a type of bone cancer
Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma – a type of kidney cancer
Chronic eosinophilic leukemia – See the National Cancer Institute or National Institutes of Health Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center
Chronic neutrophilic leukemia – See the National Cancer Institute or National Institutes of Health Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center
Clear cell sarcoma – a type of soft tissue sarcoma ; also a rare type of kidney cancer in children (known as clear cell sarcoma of the kidney, or CCSK)
Craniopharyngioma – a raretype of brain tumor that can occur inadults or children
Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans – a type of soft tissue tumor t hat starts in the deep layers of the skin
Desmoid tumor (also known as fibromatosis) – a type of intermediate soft tissue tumor
Desmoplastic small round cell tumor – a type of soft tissue sarcoma
Dysgerminoma – a type of germ cell tumor that starts in theovari es
Embryonal carcinoma – a type of testicular cancer
Endodermal sinus tumor (yolk sac tumor) – a type of germ cell tumor that most often starts in the testicles orovari es
Endometrial stromal sarcoma – a type of uterine sarcoma
Ependymoma – a type of brain and spinal cord tumor that can occur inadults or children
Epithelial appendix (appendiceal) cancer – See the National Cancer Institute
Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma – a type of salivary gland cancer
Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) – a raretype of soft tissue sarcoma ; see the National Cancer Institute
Epithelioid sarcoma – a type of soft tissue sarcoma
Essential thrombocythemia – a condition in which the body makes too many blood platelets; s ee the National Cancer Institute or National Institutes of Health Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center
Esthesioneuroblastoma (olfactory neuroblastoma) – a type of nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer
Extra-cranial malignant rhabdoid tumor (MRT) – a type of soft tissue sarcoma ; s ee the National Cancer Institute
Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type – a type of lymphoma of the skin

Fallopian tube cancer – see ovarian cancer
Fibrolamellar carcinoma – a type of liver cancer
Fibromatosis – a condition in which a person has one or moresoft tissue tumors called fibromas
Fibromyxoid sarcoma (Evans’ tumor ) – a type of soft tissue sarcoma
Fibrosarcoma – a type of soft tissue sarcoma or bone cancer
Folliculotropic mycosis fungoides – a type of lymphoma of the skin
Ganglioglioma – a type of brain tumor that can occur inadults or children
Ganglioneuroblastoma – a type of tumor related toneuroblastoma
Gastric Adenocarcinoma and Proximal Polyposis of the Stomach (GAPPS) - a n inherited condition that increases the risk of stomach cancer
Gastrinoma – a type of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor
Gastroesophageal junction (GE J) cancer – a cancer that occurs where the esophagus meets the stomach; seeesophagus cancer
Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) (hydatidiform mole; gestational trophoblastic neoplasia) – Seen the National Cancer Institute or National Institutes of Health Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center
Germ cell tumor – a type of childhood tumor that occurs most often in thetestic les orovari es, but can also occur in other parts of the body such as thebrain
Giant cell tumor of bone – a type of bone cancer
Glucagonoma – a type of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor
Granulomatous slack skin – a skin condition often linked withlymphoma of the skin
Hairy cell leukemia – a type of white blood cell cancer that is similar to chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Heart cancer (cardiac angiosarcoma ) – a soft tissue sarcoma that starts in the muscle or blood vessels of the heart
Hemangioendothelioma – a type of soft tissue sarcoma
Hemangiosarcoma – a type of soft tissue sarcoma
Hepatobiliary cancer – see bile duct cancer, liver cancer, or gallbladder cancer
Hepatoblastoma – a type of childhoodliver cancer
Hepatocellular carcinoma – the most common type of liver cancer
Hepatoma – another name for hepatocellular carcinoma, the most comm on type of liver cancer
Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC) – a n inherited syndrome that increases a person's risk of stomach cancer
Hurthle cell cancer (oxyphil cell carcinoma ) – a type of thyroid cancer
Insulinoma – a type of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor
Islet cell tumor – a nother name for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor
Keratoacanthoma – a type of skin tumor; seebasal and squamous cell cancer
Klatskin tumor (also called perihilar or hilar tumor) –a type of bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma)
Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) – a type of lung cancer
Large granular lymphocyte (LGL) leukemia – a type of white blood cell cancer related tochronic lymphocytic leukemia
Leiomyosarcoma – a type ofsoft tissue sarcoma that starts in smooth muscle cells, often in theuter us
Leydig cell tumor – a type of testicular cancer
Lip cancer – a type of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer
Liposarcoma – a type of soft tissue sarcoma
Lymphomatoid papulosis – a skin condition related tolymphoma of the skin
Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma – also known asWaldenstrom macroglobulinemia

Malignant mesenchymoma – a type of soft tissue sarcoma
Malignant mixed mullerian tumor (also known asmalignant mixed mesodermal tumor or uterine carcinosarcoma ) – a type of endometrial cancer
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) – a type of soft tissue sarcoma
Malignant rhabdoid tumor of the kidney – a raretype of kidney cancer seen most often in children; see Wilms tumor
Medulloepithelioma – a raretype of eye cancer in children; see retinoblastoma
Meningioma – a type of brain or spinal cord tumor that can occur in adults or children
Mesoblastic nephroma – a raretype of childhood kidney cancer; see Wilms tumor
Metaplastic cancer of the breast – see the National Institutes of Health Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center
Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) – a condition that sometimes leads to multiple myeloma orlymphoma
Mouth cancer – see oral cavity & oropharyngeal cancer or salivary gland cancer
Mucinous cystic neoplasm – a raretype of pancreatic tumor; see pancreatic cancer
Mucoepidermoid carcinoma – a type of salivary gland cancer
Muscle cancer (myosarcoma) – cancer that starts in muscle cells;see rhabdomyosarcoma, soft tissue sarcoma, or uterine sarcoma
Myoepithelial carcinoma – a raretype of cancer that most often occurs in thesalivary glan ds
Mycosis fungoides – a type of lymphoma of the skin
Myelofibrosis – a condition in which scar tissue (fibrosis) forms in the bone marrow; see the National Cancer Institute or National Institutes of Health Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center
Myxofibrosarcoma – a type of soft tissue sarcoma
Nephroblastoma – a nother name forWilms tumor
Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin – a nother name forMerkel cell skin cancer
NUT carcinoma – See the National Cancer Institute
Oat cell cancer – a nother name for small cell lung cancer,a type of lung cancer
Occult primary cancer – a nother name forcancer of unknown primary
Ocular or intraocular melanoma (also uveal, conjunctival, orbital, adnexal) – a type of eye cancer
Olfactory neuroblastoma (esthesioneuroblastoma ) – a type of nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer
Oligodendroglioma – a type of brain or spinal cord tumor that can occur in adults or children
Oncocytic carcinoma – a raretype of cancer that can start in different organs, including the salivary gland s
Ovarian small cell cancer – See the National Cancer Institute or National Institutes of Health Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center
Paget disease – a term used to describe atype of breast cancer (Paget disease of the breast), as well as other conditions related to anal cancer andvulvar cancer. (These are different from Paget disease of bone, which is related to osteosarcoma and other bone cancers.)
Pagetoid reticulosis – a raretype of lymphoma of the skin
Paraganglioma (extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma ) – a rare type of nerve tumor; see the National Cancer Institute or theNational Institutes of Health Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center
Parathyroid cancer – a rare type of cancer that starts in the parathyroid glands;see thyroid cancer or the National Cancer Institute
Periosteal osteosarcoma – a type of osteosarcoma
Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PPNET) – a type of Ewing tumor
Pheochromocytoma – a type of adrenal gland tumor; seeadrenal cancer
Phyllodes tumor – a type of breast tumor
Pineoblastoma – a type of brain and spinal cord tumor in children
Plasmacytoma – see multiple myeloma
Polycythemia vera – see the National Cancer Institute or National Institutes of Health Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center
Polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma – a type of salivary cancer
Primary cutaneous lymphoma (many types) – a nother name forlymphoma of the skin
Primary peritoneal carcinoma – see ovarian cancer
Prolactinoma (lactotroph adenoma) – a type of pituitary tumor
Prolymphocytic leukemia – a type of leukemia related to chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Renal cell carcinoma – a type of kidney cancer
Sarcomatoid carcinoma (carcinosarcoma) – a raretype of cancer that can occur in different parts of the body, including thelung s
Sch wannoma –a type of tumor that starts in Schwann cells that surround and insulate nerves. These tumors can start near the brain and spinal cord in adults or children , or in other parts of the body .
Sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma – see the National Cancer Institute
Sebaceous carcinoma - see the American Academy of Dermatology
Seminoma – a type of germ cell tumor that most often starts in the testic les
Sertoli cell tumor – a type of testicular cancer
Sezary syndrome – a type of lymphoma of the skin
Sinus cancer – see nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer
Skin adnexal tumors – a group of tumors that start in structures in the skin such as hair follicles or sweat glands;see basal and squamous cell cancer
Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm – a type of slow-growing tumor in the pancreas; see pancreatic cancer
Solitary fibrous tumor – a type of soft tissue tumor; see soft tissue sarcoma
Solitary plasmacytoma – see multiple myeloma
Somatostatinoma – a type of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor
Spermatocytic seminoma – a type of testicular cancer
Spindle cell neoplasm, spindle cell tumor, spindle cell carcinoma, spindle cell sarcoma – a type of tumor made up of cells shaped like spindles. These tumors can be either benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). A spindle cell tumor might be seen in:
- Soft tissue sarcoma
- Breast cancer
- Breast cancer in men
- Thymus cancer
- Rhabdomyosarcoma
- Kidney cancer
Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma – a type of lymphoma of the skin
Synovial sarcoma – a type of soft tissue sarcoma
T-cell lymphoma – a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma , which can sometimes start in the skin
Teratoma – a type of germ cell tumor that most often starts in the ovari es ortestic les
Throat cancer – cancer that starts in the upper part of the throat (see nasopharyngeal cancer ); middle part of the throat (see oral cavity & oropharyngeal cancer ), or voice box or lower part of the throat (see laryngeal & hypopharyngeal cancer )
Thymoma – a type of tumor that starts in the thymus; seethymus cancer
Tongue cancer – seeoral cavity & oropharyngeal cancer
Tonsil cancer – see oral cavity & oropharyngeal cancer
Trabecular cancer – a nother name forMerkel cell cancer
Translocation renal cell carcinoma – a raretype of kidney cancer ; see the National Cancer Institute
Transitional cell carcinoma (urothelial carcinoma) – a type of cancer that can start in thebladder , kidney, or other parts of the urinary tract
Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma ( formerlymalignant fibrous histiocytoma) – a type of soft tissue sarcoma or bone cancer
Urachal cancer – a raretype of bladder cancer ; s ee the National Institutes of Health Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center
Urethral cancer – cancer that starts in the tube leading out of thebladder
Urothelial carcinoma (transitional cell carcinoma) – a type of cancer that can start in thebladder , kidney, or other parts of the urinary tract
Uterine cancer – see endometrial cancer or uterine sarcoma
Verrucous carcinoma – a raretype of cancer that starts most often in the mouth, but can also start on the vulva, penis, or other parts of the body
VIPoma – a type of neuroendocrine tumor t hat most often starts in the pancreas
Vocal cord/voice box cancer – seelaryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer
Womb cancer – see endometrial cancer or uterine sarcoma
Yolk sac tumor (endodermal sinus tumor, infantile embryonal cancer) – a type of germ cell tumor that most often starts in the ovari es ortestic les

Renal cell carcinoma – a type of kidney cancer
Sarcomatoid carcinoma (carcinosarcoma) – a raretype of cancer that can occur in different parts of the body, including thelung s
Sch wannoma –a type of tumor that starts in Schwann cells that surround and insulate nerves. These tumors can start near the brain and spinal cord in adults or children , or in other parts of the body .
Sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma – see the National Cancer Institute
Sebaceous carcinoma - see the American Academy of Dermatology
Seminoma – a type of germ cell tumor that most often starts in the testic les
Sertoli cell tumor – a type of testicular cancer
Sezary syndrome – a type of lymphoma of the skin
Sinus cancer – see nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer
Skin adnexal tumors – a group of tumors that start in structures in the skin such as hair follicles or sweat glands;see basal and squamous cell cancer
Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm – a type of slow-growing tumor in the pancreas; see pancreatic cancer
Solitary fibrous tumor – a type of soft tissue tumor; see soft tissue sarcoma
Solitary plasmacytoma – see multiple myeloma
Somatostatinoma – a type of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor
Spermatocytic seminoma – a type of testicular cancer
Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma – a type of lymphoma of the skin
Synovial sarcoma – a type of soft tissue sarcoma
T-cell lymphoma – a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma , which can sometimes start in the skin
Teratoma – a type of germ cell tumor that most often starts in the ovari es ortestic les
Throat cancer – cancer that starts in the upper part of the throat (see nasopharyngeal cancer ); middle part of the throat (see oral cavity & oropharyngeal cancer ), or voice box or lower part of the throat (see laryngeal & hypopharyngeal cancer )
Thymoma – a type of tumor that starts in the thymus; seethymus cancer
Tongue cancer – seeoral cavity & oropharyngeal cancer
Tonsil cancer – see oral cavity & oropharyngeal cancer
Trabecular cancer – a nother name forMerkel cell cancer
Translocation renal cell carcinoma – a raretype of kidney cancer ; see the National Cancer Institute
Transitional cell carcinoma (urothelial carcinoma) – a type of cancer that can start in thebladder , kidney, or other parts of the urinary tract
Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma ( formerlymalignant fibrous histiocytoma) – a type of soft tissue sarcoma or bone cancer
Urachal cancer – a raretype of bladder cancer ; s ee the National Institutes of Health Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center
Urethral cancer – cancer that starts in the tube leading out of thebladder
Urothelial carcinoma (transitional cell carcinoma) – a type of cancer that can start in thebladder , kidney, or other parts of the urinary tract
Uterine cancer – see endometrial cancer or uterine sarcoma
Verrucous carcinoma – a raretype of cancer that starts most often in the mouth, but can also start on the vulva, penis, or other parts of the body
VIPoma – a type of neuroendocrine tumor t hat most often starts in the pancreas
Vocal cord/voice box cancer – seelaryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer
Womb cancer – see endometrial cancer or uterine sarcoma
Yolk sac tumor (endodermal sinus tumor, infantile embryonal cancer) – a type of germ cell tumor that most often starts in the ovari es ortestic les

To find more information about rare cancers, cancer subtypes , and pre-cancers

Th is list does not include all types of rare cancers, cancer subtypes , and pre -cancers. If you can 't find the type of cancer you’re looking for hereor would like more information, the National Institute s of Health Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center website has information about rare cancers, pre-cancers, andcancer subtypes, a s well as conditions that might raise a person 's risk for cancer.

You can also find more detailed information about some rare cancers on the National Cancer Institute website.

Written by

The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team

Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as editors and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.

Last Revised: February 27, 2024

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