Dr Johnny LAU Kin Sang

Anal cancer is a relatively rare form of cancer, and the types of tumours in the anus are more complex due to their location at the junction of the inner and outer layers of the embryonic tissues. Anal cancer typically originates from the tissues around the anus, including the anal skin, anal canal, or the mucous membrane inside the anus.

Bone cancer can be divided into primary and metastatic, which refers to cancer that has spread from other parts of the body to the bone tissue. The majority of cases fall under metastatic bone cancer. As for primary bone cancer, it originates in the bone cells and is relatively rare.

Brain tumours are not commonly seen, with approximately 1,000 new cases reported annually in Hong Kong. Among primary malignant brain tumours (i.e., brain cancer), glioblastoma accounts for approximately 80 new topics each year. The brain is the central organ of the human body, controlling our abilities, such as thinking, memory, language, emotions, and activities. Once invaded by cancer cells, the functions of the brain will be affected to varying degrees, and treatment is also more challenging compared to other types of cancers.

Breast cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the breast tissue, where malignant cancer cells grow and spread. Typically, breast cancer originates from the ducts within the breast. The cancerous cells may spread throughout the breast and to other parts of the body.

Cancer is the generic name given to a cluster of related diseases. In a normal healthy body, human cells grow and divide as the body needs them. When cells become old or damaged, they die and new cells take their place. However, cancer relates to body cells dividing uncontrollably and spreading to neighbouring tissues. Many cancers form masses of tissues which we call tumour. However, there are certain types of cancer, such as Leukemia that do not form solid tumours. According to a report jointly published by the Department of Health, Food and Health Bureau and the Hospital Authority there were over 30,000 new cases of cancer registered in 2017. The annual number of cancer cases is projected to increase to over 40,000 cases by 2030. However due to the advancements across a number of treatment modality the survival rate of patients in also on the increase.

Cervical cancer, also known as cancer that occurs in the cervix, is statistically caused by HPV (Human Papillomavirus) infection in over 90% of cases, leading to abnormal cell growth and eventual development of cancer. Cervical cancer is one of the common cancers among women, and women of all age groups are at risk of developing cervical cancer. In Hong Kong, cervical cancer ranks the 7th most common cancer among women and the 9th leading cause of fatal cancer among women. In 2020, there were a total of 556 new cases recorded, with 159 fatalities.

The Bile duct located between the gallbladder and the duodenum event has a small size, but it has the potential to develop into cancer as know as “Cholangiocarcinoma”, with the risk varying by region. Generally, the older a person is, the higher the likelihood of developing the disease. According to data from the American Cancer Society, the average age of diagnosis for intrahepatic and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is 70 and 72 years, respectively.

Colorectal cancer is a common malignant tumor of the digestive system. Early screening and treatment are necessary, and improvement of lifestyle habits is also helpful for prevention.

Corpus uteri cancer is a common gynecological malignant tumor. Common symptoms include vaginal bleeding, lower abdominal pain, etc. Early screening and treatment are needed.

Gastric Cancer is a common malignant tumor of the digestive system. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, dyspepsia, weight loss, etc. Early screening and treatment are necessary.

Head and neck cancer is a collective term for cancers that occur in various upper respiratory tract tissues. Depending on the site of occurrence, it can be divided into oral cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, oropharyngeal cancer, hypopharyngeal cancer, and laryngeal cancer. The most common tumour type in head and neck cancer is squamous cell carcinoma, which originates from squamous cells on the mucosal surface of the head and neck. According to medical research, some head and neck cancers are associated with HPV (human papillomavirus).

Blood cancer, also known as leukaemia, is a cancer of white blood cells. Leukaemia can be classified into two main types: chronic and acute, and further categorized as lymphocytic or myeloid. Leukemia is one of the top ten deadliest cancers in Hong Kong, with approximately a thousand new cases reported each year. Unlike most other cancers, both children and young adults are at risk of developing this disease.

Liver cancer is a common malignant tumor, mostly caused by hepatocellular carcinoma or hepatic vascular carcinoma, which requires prevention and treatment.

Lung cancer is a type of malignant tumor which is commonly caused by factors such as long-term smoking and air pollution, and requires early detection and treatment.

The human body has a system of lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes, allowing lymphocytes to circulate through various organs and tissues to combat bacterial infections. However, when lymphocytes undergo malignant mutations, they continuously increase and accumulate in lymph nodes, forming tumours that may spread to the bone marrow, liver, and other organs. This type of cancer originating in the lymphatic system is known as "lymphoma."

Nasopharyngeal cancer is one of the top ten cancers in Hong Kong that cannot be ignored. There are 600 to 800 cases of nasopharyngeal cancer in the city every year. Unlike many other cancers, nasopharyngeal cancer tends to occur at a relatively early age, with the peak incidence between 40 and 60 years old, considered the prime of one's life. The incidence rate is almost three times higher in males than in females. Compared to Western countries, nasopharyngeal cancer is more commonly found in Southern China.

The "oral" region comprises multiple sites, including the lips, tongue, floor of the mouth, hard palate, and gums, as well as the oral mucosa, buccal mucosa, and salivary glands. Any malignant tumour growing in these locations is collectively referred to as oral cancer, which is also one of the types of head and neck cancer.

The ovaries are a part of the female reproductive system, consisting of two small organs in the pelvic cavity on either side of the uterus. Their function is to produce eggs and female hormones. Ovarian cancer is one of the most common gynaecological cancers and has the highest mortality rate among female cancers.

Pancreatic Cancer is a malignant tumor with early symptoms of abdominal pain, weight loss, etc. It is difficult to treat and requires prevention and treatment.

Peritoneal cancer is a rare but severe form of cancer that involves malignant changes in the peritoneal tissues. The peritoneum is the thin membrane that surrounds the abdominal organs, and peritoneal cancer typically occurs due to metastasis from cancers originating in other organs within the abdominal cavity. In Hong Kong, peritoneal cancer is most commonly caused by the metastasis of ovarian cancer, making the incidence higher in female patients.

Prostate cancer is the third most common cancer among men in Hong Kong, accounting for 13.9% of the total new cases of male cancer. Prostate cancer is a malignant tumour of the prostate. Men with a high risk of prostate cancer due to a family history of the disease or those experiencing symptoms should pay attention to changes in their bodies, especially abnormalities related to prostate health.

Skin cancer is a common cancer in Hong Kong; non-melanoma skin cancers account for 90% of all skin cancers. Though the incidence rate in Hong Kong is much lower than in the West, the number of local new cases due to non-melanoma skin cancer has significantly jumped by 20% from 2010 to 2020.

The throat means the muscular tube behind the nose and neck. Throat cancer (or pharyngeal cancer) broadly refers to the growth of flat cells in this area.

In 2020, there were a total of 978 new cases of thyroid cancer, accounting for 2.9% of all new cancer cases in Hong Kong and ranking tenth among common cancers. The incidence rate per 100,000 population is approximately 13 cases. Thyroid cancer patients are typically middle-aged to elderly, with papillary thyroid cancer occurring in younger people and rare in children. Additionally, the risk of thyroid cancer is higher in females, with a rate approximately 3.8 times that of males.