Of the more than 200 different types of cancer that have been identified, the cancer most frequently diagnosed in the United States (excluding non-melanoma skin cancers) is breast cancer.
The next most common—defining “common” as 40,000 or more cases per year (2025)—are lung cancer and prostate cancer.
Presented below is a list of the 13 most common cancers, along with the estimated number of new cases and deaths for each type. They are listed in order of decreasing frequency.
1. Breast Cancer
After skin cancer, breast cancer is the cancer most frequently diagnosed in American women.
Estimated annual new cases:
- Women: 268,600
- Men: 2,670
Estimated annual deaths:
- Women: 41,760
- Men: 500
5-year survival rate:
Women: 90 per cent (2010–2019)
2. Lung Cancer (including the bronchi)
The second most common cancer, lung cancer, is the foremost cause of cancer death.
To reduce your risk of lung and bronchial cancer, it is recommended that you stop smoking.
- Estimated annual new cases: 228,150
- Estimated annual deaths: 142,670
- 5-year survival rate: 23 per cent (2010–2019)
3. Prostate Cancer
Generally slow-growing, prostate cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading reason of cancer death among American men.
- Estimated new annual cases: 164,690
- Estimated annual deaths: 29,430
- 5-year survival rate: 98 per cent (2010–2019)
4. Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer mentions to cancers of the colon or rectum. Together, these make up the large intestine.
- Estimated new annual cases: 145,600
- Estimated annual deaths: 51,020
- 5-year survival rate: 64 per cent (2010–2019)
5. Melanoma (Skin)
Melanoma is a type of cancer that begins in specialised cells that produce the pigment that gives skin its colour (melanin).
Although it is most common on the skin, melanomas can also develop in the eye and in other pigmented tissues.
- Estimated new annual cases: 96,480
- Estimated annual deaths: 7,230
- 5-year survival rate: 92 per cent (2010–2019)
6. Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer typically affects older adults and occurs more frequently in men than in women.
- Estimated annual new cases: 80,470
- Estimated annual deaths: 17,670
- 5-year survival rate: 77 per cent (2010–2019)
7. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a kind of cancer that begins in the lymphatic system. It is characterised by tumours that develop from a type of white blood cell called a lymphocyte.
- Estimated annual new cases: 74,200
- Estimated annual deaths: 19,970
- 5-year survival rate: 71 per cent (2010–2019)
8. Kidney Cancer (Renal Cell and Renal Pelvis)
The maximum common kind of kidney cancer is renal cell carcinoma, which generally develops in a kidney in the form of a tumour.
Renal pelvis cancer develops in the renal pelvis or in the ureter—the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder.
- Estimated new annual cases: 73,820
- Estimated annual deaths: 14,770
- 5-year survival rate: 75 per cent (2010–2019)
9. Endometrial Cancer
There are two kinds of uterine cancer. Endometrial cancer is common, though uterine sarcoma is rare.
- Estimated new annual cases: 61,880
- Estimated annual deaths: 12,160
- 5-year survival rate: 84 per cent (2010–2019)
10. Leukaemia (all types)
Leukaemias are cancers that originate in the blood-forming tissue of the bone marrow.
These cancers are characterised by the presence of a large number of abnormal white blood cells that accrue in the blood and bone marrow, displacing normal blood cells. This makes it difficult for the body to allocate oxygen to its tissues, fight infections, and control bleeding.
- Estimated new annual cases: 61,780
- Estimated annual deaths: 22,840
- 5-year survival rate: 61.4 per cent (2010–2019)
11. Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer originates in the pancreas and typically spreads rapidly to other nearby organs.
- Estimated new annual cases: 56,770
- Estimated annual deaths: 45,750
- 5-year survival rate: 9 per cent (2010–2019)
12. Thyroid Cancer
While anaplastic thyroid cancer is difficult to treat, the follicular, medullary, and—most common—papillary types can generally be treated effectively and with positive outcomes.
- Estimated new annual cases: 52,070
- Estimated annual deaths: 2,170
- 5-year survival rate: nearly 100 per cent (2010–2019)
13. Liver and Intrahepatic Bile Duct Cancer
Liver cancer includes hepatocellular carcinoma—the most common type—bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma), and hepatoblastoma.
Risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma include liver cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis B or C infection.
- Estimated new annual cases: 42,030
- Estimated annual deaths: 31,780
- 5-year survival rate: 18 per cent (2010–2019)
5-Year Survival Rate
The 5-year survival rate comparations the survival of people diagnosed with cancer with the survival of people in the general population who have not been diagnosed with cancer.
Please note that no two people are exactly alike. Treatment—and the response to it—can vary considerably from one individual to another.
Survival statistics are based on great groups of people; therefore, they cannot be used to make precise predictions about what will happen to a specific individual.
Important Considerations
The 13 most common types of cancer in the United States (out of a total of approximately 200) account for about 71.5 per cent of all estimated new annual cases (2025).
If you or a loved one is worried about symptoms that could indicate the presence of cancer, please schedule an selection to see your doctor.
According to the World Health Organisation, early discovery of cancer can significantly increase the probabilities of successful treatment.