Cancer is a disease caused by the abnormal growth of cells in the body. It is a leading cause of death globally, responsible for up to 9.6 million deaths in 2018 alone.

While cancer can develop in any part of the body, some types of cancer are more deadly than others. Here are the top ten deadliest types of cancer, based on the number of deaths they cause.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is the most deadly type of cancer, responsible for approximately 1.8 million deaths globally each year. It develops when cells in the lungs grow uncontrollably.

Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, but other risk factors include exposure to radon and other harmful chemicals, as well as a family history of the disease.

Liver cancer

Liver cancer is the second most deadly type of cancer, responsible for approximately 830,000 deaths globally each year. It develops when cells in the liver grow uncontrollably.

Risk factors for liver cancer include chronic hepatitis B or C infections, alcohol abuse, obesity, and certain inherited liver diseases.

Colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is the third most deadly type of cancer, responsible for approximately 760,000 deaths globally each year. It develops when cells in the colon or rectum grow uncontrollably.

Risk factors for colorectal cancer include age, a family history of the disease, a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease, and a diet high in red or processed meats and low in fiber.

Stomach cancer

Stomach cancer is the fourth most deadly type of cancer, responsible for approximately 740,000 deaths globally each year. It develops when cells in the lining of the stomach grow uncontrollably.

Risk factors for stomach cancer include a diet high in salted, smoked, or pickled foods, a family history of the disease, and infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori.

Breast cancer

Breast cancer is the fifth most deadly type of cancer, responsible for approximately 630,000 deaths globally each year. It develops when cells in the breast grow uncontrollably.

While breast cancer can affect both men and women, it is much more common in women. Risk factors for breast cancer include age, a family history of the disease, certain genetic mutations, and exposure to estrogen.

Esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer is the sixth most deadly type of cancer, responsible for approximately 600,000 deaths globally each year. It develops when cells in the lining of the esophagus grow uncontrollably.

Risk factors for esophageal cancer include smoking, alcohol abuse, chronic reflux disease, and a diet low in fruits and vegetables.

Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the seventh most deadly type of cancer, responsible for approximately 360,000 deaths globally each year. It develops when cells in the prostate gland grow uncontrollably.

While prostate cancer can affect both men and women, it is much more common in men. Risk factors for prostate cancer include age, a family history of the disease, and certain genetic mutations.

Pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is the eighth most deadly type of cancer, responsible for approximately 330,000 deaths globally each year. It develops when cells in the pancreas grow uncontrollably.

Risk factors for pancreatic cancer include smoking, obesity, chronic pancreatitis, and a family history of the disease.

Bladder cancer

Bladder cancer is the ninth most deadly type of cancer, responsible for approximately 170,000 deaths globally each year. It develops when cells in the lining of the bladder grow uncontrollably.

Risk factors for bladder cancer include smoking, exposure to certain chemicals, and age.

Ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is the tenth most deadly type of cancer, responsible for approximately 160,000 deaths globally each year. It develops when cells in the ovaries grow uncontrollably.

Risk factors for ovarian cancer include age, a family history of the disease, certain genetic mutations, and the use of estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy.