Rare Solid Tumors

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Many types of cancer occur relatively infrequently, and patients with these diseases may have difficulty finding information about where and from whom to obtain the best treatment. Any patient with cancer should seek care from a physician or team experienced in treating his or her disease, and this is especially important for patients with rare cancers, because these diseases may be difficult to diagnose -- but are sometimes easily treated if diagnosed correctly.

Many Memorial Sloan-Kettering physicians have developed unequaled expertise in diagnosing and treating some of the rarest forms of cancer. Choose from the menu below to find descriptions of several of these cancers.

Adrenal Gland Tumors
Most tumors found in the adrenal glands are metastatic, tumors that have traveled from cancers originating in other parts of the body.
Carotid Body Tumors
Carotid body tumors, also called chemodectomas, are vascular tumors that arise from the paraganglionic cells in the outer layer of the carotid artery (the artery that supplies blood to the head), and develops at the point where the artery branches into the internal and external carotid arteries.
Germ Cell Tumors
Germ cell tumors are cancers that arise from reproductive organs but most commonly affect the ovary and testicles.
Islet Cell Tumors
Islet cell tumors arise in the Isle of Langerhans, a cluster of specialized cells in the part of the pancreas that produces hormones (the endocrine pancreas).
Kaposi's Sarcoma
Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), a type of soft tissue sarcoma, is characterized by lesions that appear on the skin and the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, and anus.
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia
Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) is a syndrome in which benign or cancerous tumors develop in the endocrine system.
Neuroendocrine Tumors
Neuroendocrine tumors arise from the neuroendocrine system, a diffuse system in which the nervous system and the hormones of the endocrine glands interact.
Parathyroid Tumors
The parathyroid gland is located at the base of the front of the neck, near the thyroid gland.
Thymic Carcinoma, Thymoma
The thymus, an organ located beneath the breast bone, is responsible for making some of the white blood cells called lymphocytes, which help the body fight infections.

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