What is the worst type of cancer
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Consensus Meter
The Worst Types of Cancer: A Comprehensive Analysis
Gastric Cancer: Diffuse-Type Subtype
Diffuse-Type Gastric Cancer Prognosis
Gastric cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, with significant heterogeneity in its subtypes. Among these, the diffuse-type gastric cancer (DGC) subtype is particularly notorious for its poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Studies have shown that DGC has the highest recurrence frequency and tends to occur at an earlier age compared to other gastric cancer subtypes . The mesenchymal-like subtype of gastric cancer, which includes DGC, is associated with the worst prognosis and the highest recurrence rate (63%) among the four identified molecular subtypes.
Molecular Characteristics and Treatment Challenges
DGC is characterized by specific molecular alterations, including dysregulation in the cell cycle and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) processes. These molecular features contribute to its aggressive nature and resistance to chemotherapy, particularly in the PX3 subtype, which has the worst survival outcomes among DGC patients. The identification of potential immunotherapy targets offers some hope, but the overall prognosis remains grim.
Breast Cancer: Triple-Negative and Metaplastic Subtypes
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is another highly aggressive cancer subtype, accounting for about 15% of all breast cancer cases. TNBC lacks estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors, making it unresponsive to hormonal therapies and HER2-targeted treatments. Among small tumors (<1 cm), T1a TNBC has the worst prognosis, even worse than HER2-positive subtypes, indicating the necessity for more intensive adjuvant treatment. TNBC is associated with the worst overall and disease-free survival compared to other breast cancer subtypes.
Metaplastic Breast Carcinoma (MBC)
Metaplastic breast carcinoma (MBC) is a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer with poorer overall survival than other triple-negative breast cancers. The squamous subtype of MBC has the worst survival outcomes, with a breast cancer-specific survival rate of only 56% at five years. MBC patients also show poor responses to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, further complicating treatment efforts.
Lung Cancer: Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
Prognosis and Survival Rates
Lung cancer, particularly non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), is considered one of the deadliest cancers due to its high mortality rate even in early stages. Despite advances in personalized medicine, the overall survival improvements for metastatic NSCLC remain modest compared to metastatic breast and colorectal cancers. The high mortality and limited treatment efficacy make NSCLC one of the worst cancer types in terms of prognosis.
Pancreatic Cancer
Mortality and Survival
Pancreatic cancer is often cited as one of the deadliest cancers due to its extremely low five-year survival rate, typically less than 20%. The aggressive nature of pancreatic cancer, coupled with late-stage diagnosis and limited treatment options, contributes to its poor prognosis. It is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths, with minimal improvements in survival rates over the years.
Conclusion
In summary, several cancer types stand out for their particularly poor prognoses and high mortality rates. Diffuse-type gastric cancer, triple-negative and metaplastic breast cancers, non-small cell lung cancer, and pancreatic cancer are among the worst types of cancer due to their aggressive nature, high recurrence rates, and limited treatment options. Continued research and advancements in targeted therapies are crucial to improving outcomes for patients suffering from these devastating diseases.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic