Effective cancer care requires a multidisciplinary team of specialists working on your behalf. Our physicians work together to develop a personalized care plan for you. Your team also includes experienced nurses, advanced practice providers, pharmacists, research coordinators and other caring staff.

UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of only about 70 National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers in the U.S. We offer the most advanced treatments available and access to clinical trials. Through leading-edge research, our physicians and scientists are driving the development of new medications, devices and other therapies.

We know the challenges of cancer extend beyond physical health. That’s why we provide a full range of support services for patients of all ages, including children and adolescents and young adults. Services range from social work and support groups to nutrition education and financial navigation.

Bone cancer can start in the bone or spread there from somewhere else in your body. Bone tumors are relatively rare, making up less than 1% of all cancers.

These tumors develop in the brain or spinal cord. They can affect how you move, think and sense the world around you. Most brain and spinal cord tumors spread there from another location.

For U.S. women, breast cancer is the most common cancer type. One in 8 women will develop breast cancer during their life. Screening can detect cancer early when treatment is most effective.

Colon and rectum cancers (also called colorectal cancer) occur in the large intestine. The large intestine is the last section of your digestive tract that passes waste out of your body.

The digestive tract spans from the mouth to the anus. Cancer can develop anywhere along this tract, such as in your esophagus, stomach, gall bladder and small intestine.

Endocrine tumors occur in the organs that make hormones. Your hormones are chemicals which control many bodily functions. The most common type of endocrine cancer is thyroid cancer.

Eye cancer affects children and adults and can develop on the surface of the eye or its inner structures. Cancer of the eye usually spreads there from another site, such as the breast or lung.

These include cancers of the cervix, ovaries, uterus, vagina and vulva. Endometrial cancer, which develops in the lining of the uterus, is the most common female reproductive system cancer.

Head and neck cancers can form in the nose, mouth and throat. They can also appear in nearby structures, like the sinuses and salivary glands.

Most hematologic (blood) cancers begin in the bone marrow, the center of the bones that makes blood cells. Blood cancer types include leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma.

Kidneys filter waste from your blood and regulate the amount of fluid in your body. The most common type of kidney cancer is renal cell carcinoma.

The liver is a large organ that has many important functions, such as the breakdown and storage of nutrients. Liver cancer often spreads there from another location, such as the breast or colon.

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in the U.S. and the top cause of cancer death. Smoking is a major risk factor, but not all people with lung cancer have smoked.

The pancreas makes chemicals that help with digestion and hormones that help control blood sugar levels. Pancreatic cancer is a relatively rare but serious type of cancer.

The cancers that typically affect children are different from cancers in adults. The most common types of pediatric cancers are leukemia and tumors of the brain and spinal cord.

The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system that makes some of the fluid in semen. Most prostate cancers are slow growing, but some can spread quickly.

Certain cancer genes can pass from parent to child. These cancers often run in families.

Common substances that can damage DNA and lead to cancer include cigarette smoke, alcohol and sunlight. Some organisms, like the human papillomavirus (HPV), can also affect your DNA.

Random errors can occur when cells divide that cause genetic mutations.

Your likelihood of developing cancer increases with age. Among people diagnosed with cancer, 80% are age 55 or older.

The more alcohol you drink, the higher your risk of breast, prostate and digestive tract cancers.

Certain chemicals in the workplace, environment, food or water may increase your cancer risk.

Having a close relative with certain types of cancer increases your risk of also developing cancer. Learn about our Hereditary Cancer Program.

Carrying extra body weight and physical inactivity is a risk factor for many types of cancer.

Cigarette smoking raises your risk of many cancer types and causes about one-third of all cancer deaths.

The radiation in sunlight damages cells and can lead to skin cancer.

Our surgical oncologists perform detailed procedures to remove cancerous tumors. They coordinate surgery with other cancer specialists to provide the most effective treatment plan. When possible, we offer robotic-assisted surgery. This minimally invasive approach allows the surgeon to reach tight spaces and avoid delicate nerves and muscles.

We offer a wide range of treatment technologies that destroy cancer while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues. For example, we were one of the first centers in Northern California to offer stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). SBRT uses image guidance to deliver high doses of radiation to a precise area.

Medical oncology uses medications to treat cancer. Chemotherapy is a widely used cancer medication. Immunotherapy is an innovative treatment that harnesses your immune system to destroy cancer. You may have access to new medications or combinations of medications through one of our many clinical trials.

Stem cells are blood-forming cells found in your bone marrow. Stem cell transplant restores damaged stem cells in people with hematologic cancers. UC Davis Health performed the first bone marrow transplant in the region. We are also the first in the area to launch an on-site CAR T-cell manufacturing and therapy program. Our experienced program provides exceptional care and access to national clinical trials.