Based on the latest estimates from the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Statistics, 2026 report, here are the top 30 cancer types in the United States ranked by both projected new cases and deaths. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death, while prostate and breast cancers are the most commonly diagnosed.
📈 Top 30 Cancer Types by Estimated New Cases (2026)
The following table ranks cancer types by the projected number of new cases for 2026. The data is based on estimates from the American Cancer Society.
| Rank | Cancer Site | Estimated New Cases (2026) | % of All New Cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prostate | 333,830 | 31% (of male cases) |
| 2 | Breast (Female) | 321,910 | 32% (of female cases) |
| 3 | Lung & Bronchus | 229,410 | 10% (male) / 12% (female) |
| 4 | Colon & Rectum | 158,850 | 8% (male) / 7% (female) |
| 5 | Melanoma of the Skin | 112,000 | 6% (male) / 5% (female) |
| 6 | Urinary Bladder | 84,530 | 6% (male) |
| 7 | Kidney & Renal Pelvis | 80,450 | 5% (male) / 3% (female) |
| 8 | Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma | 79,320 | 4% (male) / 3% (female) |
| 9 | Uterine Corpus | 68,270 | 7% (of female cases) |
| 10 | Leukemia | 67,790 | 4% (male) / 3% (female) |
| 11 | Pancreas | 67,530 | 3% (male) / 3% (female) |
| 12 | Thyroid | 45,240 | 3% (of female cases) |
| 13 | Liver & Intrahepatic Bile Duct | 43,290 | – |
| 14 | Oral Cavity & Pharynx | 42,800 | 4% (male) |
| 15 | Myeloma | 36,230 | – |
| 16 | Stomach | 31,510 | – |
| 17 | Brain & Other Nervous System | 24,810 | – |
| 18 | Esophagus | 22,530 | – |
| 19 | Ovary | 20,890 | – |
| 20 | Testis | 9,930 | – |
| 21 | Small Intestine | 14,450 | – |
| 22 | Anus, Anal Canal, & Anorectum | ~10,540 | – |
| 23 | Larynx | ~13,430 | – |
| 24 | Vulva | ~5,120 | – |
| 25 | Cervix Uteri | ~13,820 | – |
| 26 | Vagina | ~1,780 | – |
| 27 | Hodgkin Lymphoma | ~8,830 | – |
| 28 | Soft Tissue (including Heart) | ~13,000 | – |
| 29 | Bones & Joints | ~3,970 | – |
| 30 | Eye & Orbit | ~3,590 | – |
Key Points:
- Prostate, breast, lung, and colorectal cancers together account for nearly 50% of all new cancer cases in the U.S.
- In men, prostate cancer alone accounts for 31% of all new diagnoses.
- In women, breast cancer is the most common, accounting for 32% of new cases.
⚰️ Top 30 Cancer Types by Estimated Deaths (2026)
The following table ranks cancer types by the projected number of deaths for 2026, according to the American Cancer Society.
| Rank | Cancer Site | Estimated Deaths (2026) | % of All Cancer Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lung & Bronchus | 124,990 | 19% (male) / 21% (female) |
| 2 | Colon & Rectum | 55,230 | 9% (male) / 9% (female) |
| 3 | Pancreas | 52,740 | 8% (male) / 9% (female) |
| 4 | Breast | 42,670 | 14% (of female deaths) |
| 5 | Prostate | 36,320 | 11% (of male deaths) |
| 6 | Liver & Intrahepatic Bile Duct | 28,900 | – |
| 7 | Leukemia | 23,710 | – |
| 8 | Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma | 19,790 | – |
| 9 | Brain & Other Nervous System | 18,760 | – |
| 10 | Esophagus | 17,460 | – |
| 11 | Urinary Bladder | 17,290 | – |
| 12 | Kidney & Renal Pelvis | 14,970 | – |
| 13 | Myeloma | 12,880 | – |
| 14 | Stomach | 10,740 | – |
| 15 | Ovary | ~12,730 | – |
| 16 | Uterine Corpus | ~13,260 | – |
| 17 | Oral Cavity & Pharynx | 13,150 | – |
| 18 | Thyroid | ~2,320 | – |
| 19 | Melanoma of the Skin | ~8,430 | – |
| 20 | Cervix Uteri | ~4,360 | – |
| 21 | Small Intestine | 2,170 | – |
| 22 | Larynx | ~3,880 | – |
| 23 | Multiple Myeloma | ~12,880 | – |
| 24 | Soft Tissue (including Heart) | ~5,200 | – |
| 25 | Anus, Anal Canal, & Anorectum | ~1,320 | – |
| 26 | Vulva | ~1,340 | – |
| 27 | Hodgkin Lymphoma | ~1,150 | – |
| 28 | Testis | ~490 | – |
| 29 | Bones & Joints | ~2,140 | – |
| 30 | Eye & Orbit | ~490 | – |
Key Points:
- Lung and bronchus cancer is by far the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., responsible for about 20% of all cancer deaths.
- Lung, colorectal, pancreatic, and breast cancers are responsible for nearly 50% of all cancer deaths.
- The overall cancer mortality rate has declined by 34% since 1991, largely due to reductions in smoking, earlier detection, and improved treatments.
📝 Summary
This data, based on the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Statistics, 2026 report, highlights the most significant cancer burdens in the United States. While incidence is dominated by prostate and breast cancers, mortality is overwhelmingly driven by lung cancer. The continued decline in overall cancer death rates reflects decades of progress in prevention, screening, and treatment.
For the most current and detailed cancer statistics, including historical trends and demographic breakdowns, the following sources are authoritative:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Publishes the official federal statistics on cancer incidence and mortality.
American Cancer Society (ACS): Publishes the annual “Cancer Statistics” report and “Cancer Facts & Figures.”
National Cancer Institute (NCI) SEER Program: Provides population-based cancer statistics.