Dictionary of cancer

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Cancer is a complex group of diseases with many possible causes. This dictionary aims to provide clear definitions and explanations of common terms related to cancer. Internal links are provided to facilitate further reading on specific topics within the Wiki.

A[edit | edit source]

A type of cancer that forms in mucus-secreting glands throughout the body.
The process through which new blood vessels form from pre-existing vessels, often playing a critical role in the growth of cancer.
A condition that occurs when the body stops producing enough new blood cells, sometimes caused by cancer treatments.

B[edit | edit source]

Refers to a condition, tumor, or growth that is not cancerous and does not spread to other parts of the body.
A medical test commonly performed by a surgeon, interventional radiologist, or an interventional cardiologist involving extraction of sample cells or tissues for examination to determine the presence or extent of a disease.
Genes that produce tumor suppressor proteins, which help repair damaged DNA. Mutations in these genes can lead to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.

C[edit | edit source]

A type of cancer that starts in the skin or the tissue linings of organs.
A type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells.
Referring to a disease or symptom that is long-lasting or recurrent. In cancer, chronic may also describe a disease that is slow-growing.

D[edit | edit source]

The molecule that carries genetic information in the cells of the body. Changes to the DNA sequence can lead to cancer.
The presence of abnormal cells within a tissue or organ. Dysplasia is not cancer, but it could become cancer.

E[edit | edit source]

A type of herpes virus that has been associated with certain cancers, including Burkitt's lymphoma.
Surgical removal of part of a cancerous tissue.

F[edit | edit source]

Cancer that occurs at a higher-than-expected rate within a family. This can be due to genetic factors, environmental exposure, or lifestyle choices.

G[edit | edit source]

An experimental treatment that involves altering the genes inside a person's cells to treat or stop disease, including cancer.
A permanent alteration in the DNA sequence that makes up a gene, which can sometimes lead to cancer.

H[edit | edit source]

A type of lymphoma, which is a blood cancer that starts in the lymphatic system.
Treatment that adds, blocks, or removes hormones to slow or stop the growth of cancer cells that need hormones to grow.

I[edit | edit source]

Treatments that use certain parts of a person's immune system to fight diseases such as cancer.
Cancer that has not spread and is located only in the place where it first started.

J[edit | edit source]

Yellowing of the skin and eyes that can occur when certain cancers, such as liver cancer, block the bile ducts.

K[edit | edit source]

A cancer that causes lesions in the soft tissue, which can develop into malignant tumors. It's often associated with immune deficiency diseases, such as AIDS.

L[edit | edit source]

A type of blood cancer that originates in the bone marrow.
Swelling that generally occurs in one of your arms or legs, sometimes caused by damage to your lymph nodes during cancer treatment.

M[edit | edit source]

Refers to cancer cells that can invade and kill nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.
Surgical removal of all or part of a breast, sometimes used to treat or prevent breast cancer.

N[edit | edit source]

An abnormal growth of tissue, which can be benign or malignant (cancerous).
A cancer that arises from immature nerve cells and affects mostly infants and children.
A condition characterized by a lower-than-normal number of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, often caused by chemotherapy.

O[edit | edit source]

A gene that has the potential to cause cancer. In tumor cells, these genes are often mutated or expressed at high levels.
A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer.
The most common type of bone cancer, which typically starts in bone cells in the arms, legs, or pelvis.

P[edit | edit source]

Specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness, such as cancer, focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of the illness.
A type of imaging test that helps reveal how your tissues and organs are functioning, often used to detect cancer.
A growth that protrudes from a mucous membrane and is often benign, but some types can develop into cancer.

Q[edit | edit source]

An individual's overall well-being encompassing physical, psychological, and social aspects of life, which can be affected by cancer and its treatment.

R[edit | edit source]

A type of cancer treatment that uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
A decrease in or disappearance of signs and symptoms of cancer. In partial remission, some, but not all, signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared.
The most common type of kidney cancer in adults, which occurs when cancer cells start in the lining of the tubules in the kidney.

S[edit | edit source]

A type of cancer that starts in tissues like bone or muscle. There are more than 70 types of sarcoma.
A medical procedure in which diseased bone marrow is replaced with highly specialized cells, called stem cells, that develop into healthy bone marrow.
The process of determining the extent of cancer in the body, including whether it has spread and to what extent.

T[edit | edit source]

Substances found in the blood, urine, or body tissues that can be elevated in cancer. Some tumor markers are specific to one type of cancer, while others are related to several different types.
Drugs or other substances that block the growth and spread of cancer by interfering with specific molecules involved in tumor growth and progression.
A condition in which you have a low blood platelet count, which can be a side effect of cancer or its treatment.

U[edit | edit source]

An imaging method that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of structures within your body, often used to help diagnose and monitor cancer.
A cancer that starts in the urothelial cells that line the inside of the bladder and other parts of the urinary tract.

V[edit | edit source]

A treatment method that stimulates the body's immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. Some vaccines may prevent or treat certain cancers.
The arrangement or system of blood vessels in an organ or tissue. Tumors can create their own blood vessels to help feed themselves in a process called angiogenesis.

W[edit | edit source]

A surgical procedure that removes a triangle-shaped slice of tissue. It can be used to remove a small, localized area of cancerous tissue.

X[edit | edit source]

A form of electromagnetic radiation used in low doses to create images of the inside of the body, including the bones, and in high doses to treat cancer.

Y[edit | edit source]

A rare, malignant tumor of cells that line the yolk sac of the embryo. It's most often found in children.

Z[edit | edit source]

A complex condition in which one or more tumors form in your pancreas or the upper part of your small intestine, which can sometimes lead to cancer.

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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD