In this article, we will discuss the 15 deadliest cancers in the U.S. To skip our detailed analysis and recent updates regarding cancer research and the oncology market, go directly to the 5 Deadliest Cancers in the U.S.
Cancer stands as a pervasive, highly destructive, and agonizing disease, with a significant global impact. Cancer, also referred to as malignant tumors or neoplasms, encompasses a diverse range of diseases that can manifest in any region of the body. A key characteristic of the disease is the accelerated formation of abnormal cells that grow beyond their usual boundaries, subsequently infiltrating nearby tissues and potentially spreading to other organs. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020, or nearly one in six deaths. According to data presented by the American Cancer Society (ACS), approximately 1.9 million new cancer cases are projected to be diagnosed in the United States in 2023. This estimate does not include basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers, as they are not mandated to be reported to cancer registries, nor does it encompass carcinoma in situ (noninvasive cancer), with the exception of urinary bladder cancer. Additionally, an estimated 609,820 people in the United States will die from cancer in 2023, corresponding to 1670 deaths per day. The most significant causes of death in men are lung, prostate, and colorectal cancers, while in women, the leading causes are lung, breast, and colorectal cancers.
There's also a massive financial cost associated with cancer that's growing rapidly. In 2018, researchers at Penn State College of Medicine reported that the top 15 types of cancer accounted for over $156 billion in costs in the United States. Alarming projections by the National Cancer Institute indicate that the national cancer-attributable cost for medical services and prescription drugs is expected to increase from $183 billion in 2015 to $246 billion by 2030—an increase of 34%.
The field of oncology stands as one of the largest and rapidly expanding sectors in biopharmaceutical research and development (R&D). According to Precedence Research, the global oncology market exceeded a value of $203 billion in 2022 and is projected to exhibit a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.8% by 2032, reaching a substantial $470.61 billion. Within this growth trajectory, the hospital segment is anticipated to experience a CAGR of 10.9% during the forecasted period. Notably, in 2021, the diagnostic segment accounted for approximately 47% of the oncology market share. Undoubtedly, the proactive efforts of governmental bodies and non-profit organizations in raising awareness about cancer prevention are anticipated to propel market growth. Notably, the World Health Organization's Global Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases strives to reduce premature deaths caused by cancer, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes by approximately 25% by the year 2025.
On the other hand, the field of cancer vaccines has also gained significant global attention. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) and Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA) have collaborated on a promising vaccine that combines an mRNA cancer vaccine with Moderna's Keytruda®. Phase 2 trials have shown a remarkable 44% reduction in the risk of cancer recurrence or death compared to Keytruda alone. Furthermore, BioNTech SE (NASDAQ:BNTX), a German biotechnology company, and the UK government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide up to 10,000 patients with personalized mRNA-based cancer immunotherapies by 2030. These developments highlight the growing potential and commitment towards advancing cancer treatment through innovative vaccine approaches. For those interested in finding companies that are involved in oncology and vaccine development, you can check out our list of the 11 Most Promising Cancer Stocks According to Analysts.
15 Deadliest Cancers in the U.S.
Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash
Our Methodology
For our list of the 15 deadliest cancers in the U.S., we gathered authoritative data from the American Cancer Society and The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program. We then identified the deadliest cancers based on their expected mortality rates for the current year. The diseases on our list are ranked in ascending order based on the estimated amount of deaths they will cause.
15. Myeloma
Estimated Deaths: 12,590
Myeloma, a form of blood cancer, originates from the plasma cells found in the bone marrow. It is commonly referred to as multiple myeloma since the majority of individuals (90%) present with multiple bone lesions at the time of diagnosis. Despite being a relatively uncommon cancer in the United States, with a lifetime risk of developing it only 1 in 132, the American Cancer Society estimates that 35,730 new cases will be diagnosed in 2023.
14. Uterine Cancer
Estimated Deaths: 13,030
Uterine cancer refers to the abnormal growth of cells within the uterus, resulting in uncontrolled proliferation. There are two primary types of uterine cancer: endometrial cancers and uterine sarcomas. Endometrial cancers originate in the lining of the uterus (endometrium) and comprise approximately 95% of all uterine cancer cases. On the other hand, uterine sarcomas develop in the muscle tissue (myometrium) and represent a less common form of uterine cancer. The fourth most common cancer for women in the United States, it is estimated that around 66,200 people in the United States will be diagnosed with uterine, or endometrial, cancer in 2023.
13. Ovarian Cancer
Estimated Deaths: 13,270
Ovarian cancer refers to the development of a malignant tumor in either one or both ovaries. Although various types of ovarian cancer exist, the three most prevalent are as follows: the common epithelial type, accounting for approximately 90% of cases, which originates from the outer cells of the ovary; the germ cell type, representing around 4% of cases, which emerges from the cells responsible for egg production; and the rare stromal type, arising from the supportive tissues within the ovary. Ovarian cancer ranks fifth in cancer deaths among women, accounting for more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. For context, a woman's risk of getting ovarian cancer during her lifetime is about 1 in 78.
12. Kidney Cancer
Estimated Deaths: 14,890
Kidney cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in a person's kidney tissue. In time, these cells form a mass called a tumor. Kidney cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United States, with more than 76,000 new cases diagnosed each year. The average age of people when they are diagnosed is 64 with most people being diagnosed between ages 65 and 74. Additionally, such cancer is about twice as common in men than in women and it is more common in African Americans, American Indians, and Alaska Natives.
11. Esophageal Cancer
Estimated Deaths: 16,120
Esophageal cancer, despite being one of the deadliest cancers in the U.S., is also one of the most common. It starts in the tissues of the esophagus, the long muscular tube that moves food from the throat to the stomach. Tumors caused by esophageal cancer may not cause noticeable symptoms until the cancer has spread. More common among men than women, the lifetime risk of esophageal cancer in the United States is about 1 in 125 for males compared to about 1 in 417 in females.
10. Bladder Cancer
Estimated Deaths: 16,710
Bladder cancer is a common type of cancer that begins in the cells of the bladder. Urothelial carcinoma, also known as transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), is by far the most common type of bladder cancer. In fact, if a patient suffers from bladder cancer, it is almost always expected to be urothelial carcinoma. Among men in the United States, bladder cancer is the eighth most common cause of cancer death. However, the death rate for bladder cancer decreased by over 2% annually from 2016 to 2020. Despite this, it is estimated that around 16,710 deaths from this disease will occur in the United States in 2023.
9. Brain and Spine Cancer
Estimated Deaths: 16,710
A primary brain or spinal cord tumor is a tumor that starts in the brain or spinal cord. In 2023, an estimated 24,810 adults (14,280 men and 10,530 women) in the United States will be diagnosed with primary cancerous tumors of the brain and spinal cord.
8. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Estimated Deaths: 20,180
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a type of cancer that originates in the lymphatic system, which is a part of the body's immune system. Unlike Hodgkin lymphoma, which is characterized by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma involves the abnormal growth and accumulation of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. Although the exact cause of NHL is often unknown, numerous risk factors associated with the disease have been identified, including advanced age, weakened immune system, and infection like HIV. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is one of the most common cancers in the United States, accounting for about 4% of all cancers cases.
7. Leukemia
Estimated Deaths: 23,710
Leukemia encompasses a wide range of cancers affecting the blood cells. The specific type of leukemia is determined by the particular blood cell type that undergoes malignant transformation and the rate at which it proliferates. While leukemia predominantly occurs in adults aged 55 and older, it is also the most prevalent form of cancer among children under the age of 15. leukemia is the 10th most common cancer in the U.S., accounting for 3.2% of all new cancer cases.
6. Bile Duct Cancer
Estimated Deaths: 29,380
Bile duct cancer, also known as cholangiocarcinoma, is a rare and aggressive type of cancer that affects the bile ducts. It can occur in different areas of the bile duct system, including the intrahepatic ducts (inside the liver), the perihilar ducts (at the junction where the right and left hepatic ducts merge), or the distal ducts (outside the liver near the small intestine). One of the deadliest cancers in the U.S., about 8,000 people in the country are diagnosed with it each year. This includes both intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile duct cancers.
