Glossary of Terms

This glossary defines some of the medical and scientific terms commonly used by oncology physicians, nurses, researchers, and technicians.

Adjuvant Chemotherapy

One or more anticancer drugs used in combination with surgery or radiation therapy as part of the treatment of cancer. Adjuvant usually means "in addition to" initial therapy.

Adjuvant Treatment

Treatment that is added to increase the effectiveness of a primary therapy. In cancer, adjuvant treatment usually refers to chemotherapy or radiation therapy administered before or after surgery to increase the likelihood of cure.

Alternative

One of two or more things, courses or propositions to be chosen (Webster, 1974). In applying this to cancer treatment this means making a choice to use some treatment other than what is traditionally offered by the medical community in the treatment of cancer itself.

Benign Tumor

A tumor that is not cancerous. It is the opposite of a malignant or cancerous tumor.

Biological Therapy

Treatment by stimulation of the body’s immune defense system. Most of these treatments are in the clinical research phase of development. (See Immunotherapy).

Biopsy

The surgical removal of a small piece of tissue for microscopic examination to determine if cancer cells are present. Biopsy is a very important procedure to determine the type of cells of which the tumor is made. Different cancer treatments may be used depending on the tumor cell type.

Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT)

A treatment of cancer that involves receiving high doses of chemotherapy and radiation (to kill all cancer cells in the body) and an infusion of healthy bone marrow (to help healthy new cells to grow). BMTs can be autologous which is the infusion of the patient’s own bone marrow or allogeneic which is the infusion of someone else’s bone marrow that is genetically similar.

Brachytherapy

Treatment with radioactive sources placed into or very near the tumor or affected area. It includes surface application, body cavity application (intracavitary), and placement into the tissue (interstitial). Sometimes this term is used interchangeably with "internal radiation therapy" or "radiation implant".

Bronchoscopy

A procedure that involves placing a flexible tube with a camera at the end (called a fibroscope) down the nose or throat to visualize, and often take tissue specimens of the larynx, trachea, bronchus, and lungs.

CAT SCAN (Computerized Axial Tomography Scan)

A type of X-ray that yields a three-dimensional picture of the body that is about 100 times more sensitive than a standard X-ray. It can be given with or without contrast (medication given by drink or injection to enhance X-ray pictures).

CBC (Complete Blood Count)

A test to measure blood cells including:

WBC (white blood cells) – cells that fight infection.
RBC (red blood cells) – measured by the hemoglobin and hematocrit; these cells carry oxygen to your body’s tissues.
Platelets – cells that help form clots and prevent bleeding.

Cancer

A general term for more than 100 diseases characterized by abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells. The resulting mass, or tumor, can invade and destroy surrounding normal tissues. Cancer cells from the tumor can spread through the bloodstream or lymph system to start new cancers in other parts of the body.

Carcinoma

A form of cancer that develops in tissues covering or lining organs of the body, such as the skin, the uterus, the lung, or the breast.

Chemotherapy

The use of drugs or hormones to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs can be given orally (by pills), by intravenous injections (into the vein), by subcutaneous injection (under the skin), by intramuscular injection (into the muscle), by intra-arterial injection (into the arteries), or topically (with creams and/or gels).

Clinical Trials

In cancer research, a clinical trial is a study conducted with cancer patients, usually to evaluate a new drug or treatment. Studies are designed to find new and better ways to help cancer patients. Generally, cancer clinical research evaluates surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy techniques. Methods of prevention, detection or diagnosis also may be the subject of clinical trials. Patients are never placed on a clinical trial without their permission. (Please see Clinical Trials section).

Colonoscopy

A procedure that allows inspection and tissue sampling of the rectum and large intestine by inserting a flexible tube with an attached camera through the rectum.

Combination Chemotherapy

Treatments using two or more chemotherapy drugs to achieve the most effective results.

Complimentary

Given free, a token to (Webster, 1974).
In applying this to cancer treatment it is meant as in addition to, to add to the well being of the person being treated for cancer.

Cyst

An abnormal sac-like structure that contains liquid or semisolid material. A cyst may be benign (not harmful) or malignant (harmful).

Dosimetrist

A person who plans and calculates the prescribed radiation dose for cancer treatment.

Gene

Made-up of DNA and contained in every cell, they are sets of instructions that control biological development and function. You inherit genes as distinct units from your parents.

Grade

A scale of one to three indicating how much the tumor cells resemble normal cells (also referred to as differentiation). The lower the grade, the more the tumor cells resemble normal cells, which may mean a more favorable prognosis.

Hereditary Cancer

A mutation carried in the reproductive cells that can be passed on from one generation to another. Only 5 – 10% of cancers are inherited.

Hormone Therapy

Hormones are secreted naturally by various organs of the body to help regulate growth, metabolism, and reproduction. Hormones may be used alone to treat cancers or in combination with other chemotherapy drugs.

Hospice

A concept of psychosocial and support care to meet the special needs of patient and their families during the terminal stages of illness. The care is provided both in outpatient and inpatient settings. (Please see Hospice Care section).

Immunology

Study of the body’s mechanisms for resisting disease in the invasion of foreign substances.

Immunotherapy

A treatment that stimulates the body’s own defense mechanisms to combat disease, such as cancer. 

In Situ

In place, localized and confined to one area; a very early stage of cancer.

Invasive

Cancer that has spread from its place of origin to surrounding tissue.

Investigational

Treatments done under specific standards set up by the scientific community. The treatments have some basis for being tested in humans, that they work against some animal cancers.

Laryngetcomy

The surgical removal of the larynx or voice box, resulting in the loss of normal speech.

Leukemia

Cancer of the blood-forming tissues such as bone marrow, lymph nodes, and spleen. Leukemia is characterized by the overproduction of abnormal, immature white blood cells.

Linear Accelerator

A machine that creates high-energy radiation to treat cancers, using electricity to form a stream of fast-moving subatomic particles.

Localized Cancer

A cancer still confined to its site of origin.

Lymph

A clear fluid that contains white blood cells and antibodies, and is circulated throughout the body by the lymphatic system.

Lymphedema

Swelling of the hand and arm in some women who have had surgery for breast cancer; caused by extra fluid that may collect in tissues when underarm lymph nodes are removed or blocked. (Please see Lymphedema Management).

Lymph Node

A gland which produces lymph which normally acts as a filter of impurities in the body. It can trap cancer cells which may then develop into a new tumor.

Lymphoma

Cancer that develops in the lymphatic system. The most common type of lymphoma is Hodgkins Disease. All other lymphomas are called non-Hodgkins lymphomas.

Malignant Tumor

A tumor that has been determined to be cancerous. It is the opposite of a benign/noncancerous tumor.

Mammogram

The image produced by a low-dose X-ray of the breast.

Mammography

A screening and diagnostic technique that uses low-dose X-rays to find tumors in the breast. Mammography can reveal a tumor too small to be felt even by the most experienced physician.

Margins

An area of tissue surrounding a tumor which has been surgically removed. Clear margins, those without evidence of cancer, indicate that the surgeon has removed all of the microscopically visible cancer.

Melanoma

A very aggressive type of skin cancer that can spread to other areas of the body if not detected and treated early.

Metastasis

The spread of cancer cells to other areas of the body. The term metastases refers to these new cancer sites, sometimes called mets.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

A type of diagnostic ray that uses magnets to obtain clear, detailed pictures of specific body sections. MRIs can create a greater contrast between some soft tissues (such as in the brain) which usually makes it a better tool than a CAT Scan in such cases.

Nadir

The period of time following chemotherapy, usually 7-10 days after chemotherapy, when blood counts drop, thereby increasing susceptibility to infection or bleeding.

Neoplasm

Any new abnormal growth. Neoplasms may be benign or malignant, but the term is generally used to describe a cancer.

Oncogenes

Certain stretches of cellular DNA that, when activated, contribute to the malignant transformation of cells.

Oncologist

A physician who specializes in cancer treatment.

Oncology

The science dealing with the physical, chemical and biological properties and features of cancer, including the causes and progression of the disease.

Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist

A nurse with advanced skills and knowledge about cancer care who assists patients and their families with treatment: from prevention and detection of cancer through treatment, follow-up, cure, or terminal care.

Oncology Nurse Practitioner

A registered nurse with advanced education in cancer care who provides nursing and medical services to cancer patients and their families.

Palliative Treatment

Therapy that relieves symptoms, such as pain, but does not alter the course of the disease. Its primary purpose is to improve the quality of life.

Pathology

The study of disease through examination of body tissues and organs. This always includes a microscopic examination. Any tumor suspected of being cancerous must be diagnosed by pathologic examination.

Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplant (PBSC)

A newer type of transplant similar to bone marrow transplant (BMT) that instead uses a patient’s own circulating peripheral cells as opposed to cells inside the bone marrow.

Placebo

An inert substance, such as a sugar pill. A placebo may be used in clinical trials to compare the effects of a given treatment against no treatment.

Prevention

The reduction of cancer risk with cancer fighting agents. A change in life-style, such as not smoking, can help prevent lung and many other cancers.

Psychiatrist

Physicians who are trained to prescribe medicine and provide counseling to help people deal with psychological and emotional issues.

Psychologist

An individual who is trained to provide professional counseling on psychological and emotional issues and may also specialize in areas such as marital counseling, relaxation therapy, stress management, or sex therapy.

Radioactive Implant

A source of high-dose radiation that is placed directly into and around a cancer to kill the cancer cells.

Radiation Oncologist

A physician with special training in the use of X-ray energy for the treatment of cancer.

Radiation Physicist

A person trained to ensure that the radiation machine delivers the right amount of radiation to the treatment site.

Radiation Therapist

A person with special training who runs the equipment that delivers the radiation. Sometimes called a radiation technologist.

Radiotherapy

Treatment of cancer with high-energy radiation. Radiation therapy may be the only treatment used, or it may be given before surgery to reduce the size of a cancer, after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells, or in conjunction with chemotherapy.

Recurrence (Local)

Reappearance of cancer at its original site after a period of remission.

Remission

Complete or partial disappearance of the signs and symptoms of disease in response to treatment; the period during which a disease is under control.

Sarcoma

A cancer of connective tissue, bone or cartilage.

Side Effects

Usually described as after-effects, or secondary effects, of treatment. For example, hair loss may be a side effect of chemotherapy; nausea may be a side effect of radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Most treatment-related side effects can be managed.

Simulation

A process involving special X-ray pictures that are used to plan radiation treatment so that the area to be treated is precisely located and marked for treatment.

Social Worker

An individual who provides counseling, assistance with home care, transportation, and financial planning. A medical social worker is specially trained to discuss your fears and questions related to your cancer diagnosis, treatment, side effects, and their impact on your life.

Sporadic Cancer

Cancer that develops from random changes in the cells of the body during one’s lifetime – these changes can be due to environment toxins such as tobacco. Most cancers (90 – 95%) are sporadic.

Staging

An evaluation of the extent of disease, such as cancer. A classification based on stage at diagnosis helps determine appropriate treatment and prognosis.

Stereotactic Biopsy

A pinpoint biopsy, usually of the breast or brain, using specific equipment to determine the coordinates of the tumor to be biopsied.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery

A type of treatment that allows high doses of radiation to be given to small areas of the brain. This treatment uses a special frame to keep the patient’s head very still, and may require an overnight hospital stay for monitoring.

Surgery

The removal of a malignant tumor in an operation. Surgery is the oldest and most frequently used cancer treatment.

Tumor

An abnormal tissue swelling or mass; may be either benign or malignant.

Ultrasound Examination

The use of high frequency sound waves to locate a tumor deep inside the body. Also called ultrasonography.

Unproven

The reverse of to try to ascertain by experiment or standard (Webster, 1974).
In application in cancer treatment it is meant to describe cancer treatment in which either the substance or the treatment method has not been shown scientifically to be effective in the treatment of the cancer disease process.

 

Subscribe to news feed