GLOSSARY OF RELATED TERMS

A  |  B  |  C  |  D  |  E  |  F  |  G  |  H  |  I  |  L  |  M | N  |  O  |  P  |  R  |  S  |  T  |  V  |  W  |  X

A
Adenocarcinoma: A malignant tumor arising from glandular tissue.

Adjuvant therapy: Chemotherapy drugs (including hormones) given after surgery and/or radiation to help prevent the cancer from recurring.

Alopecia: Hair loss, usually temporary, resulting from the use of chemotherapy drugs.

Anemia: Having too few red blood cells. Symptoms of anemia include feeling tired, weak, and short of breath.

Anorexia: Loss of appetite.

Antibiotics: Chemicals that treat infections by stopping the growth of small disease-causing organisms. 

Antiemetic: A medicine to prevent or control nausea and vomiting.

Antifungal: A drug to treat fungal infections.

Antineoplastic agent/Anticancer drug: A drug that prevents, kills or blocks the growth and spread of cancer cells.

Axillary nodes: Lymph nodes, also called lymph glands, found in the armpit (axilla).

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B
Benign: A term used to describe a tumor that is not cancerous.

Biologic therapy (Biotherapy): Treatment that stimulates the body's immune defense system to fight infection and disease. Also called immunotherapy. Some doctors consider this a type of chemotherapy, but it is usually classified as a separate type of treatment.

Biopsy: The surgical removal of tissue for microscopic examination for diagnosis.

Blood cell count: The number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets in a sample of blood. This is also called complete blood count (CBC).

Bone marrow: The inner, spongy tissue of bones where blood cells are produced.

Bone marrow depression: The marrow’s inability to make the normal number of blood cells as a result of chemotherapy or other drugs or toxins.

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C
Cancer: A general term for a group of diseases in which abnormal cells grow out of control and spread to other parts of the body.

Cancer in-situ: The stage where the cancer is still “non-invasive” to the surrounding tissue.

Carcinogen: A substance that causes cancer. For example, nicotine is a carcinogen that promotes lung cancer.

Catheter: A thin, flexible tube through which fluids enter or leave the body.

Central venous catheter: A special thin, flexible tube placed in a large vein, usually in the chest or neck. The catheter allows medications (chemotherapy), fluids or blood products to be given and blood samples to be taken. It can remain in place for as long as is needed to deliver and withdraw fluids.

Chemotherapy: The use of drugs to treat disease. The term most often refers to drugs used to treat cancer.

Chromosomes: Threadlike bodies found in the nucleus, or center part, of a cell that carries genetic information.

Clinical trials: Medical research studies conducted with volunteers. Each study is designed to answer scientific questions and to find better ways to detect, prevent, treat diseases or improve the quality of life.

Colony-stimulating factor: An injectable substance that stimulates the bone marrow to produce more cells.

Combination chemotherapy: The use of more than one drug to treat cancer.

CAT (CT) scan: A test using computers and x-rays to create images of various parts of the body.

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D
Dehydration: Excessive loss of fluids from the body.

Diagnosis: Medical process by which a disease is identified.

Diuretics: Drugs that help the body get rid of excess fluids.

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E
Edema: The accumulation of fluid in part of the body.

Emesis: Vomit

Erythrocytes: The red blood cells. These cells carry oxygen to the body cells and carbon dioxide away from body cells.

Estrogen: A female hormone produced primarily by the ovaries.

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F
Fine needle aspiration: A procedure, using local anesthesia, in which a needle is inserted into an area of suspicious tissue and a sample is taken for evaluation.

Frozen section: A technique in which tissue is removed, then quick-frozen, and examined under a microscope by a pathologist.

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G
Gastrointestinal: Having to do with the digestive tract, which includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach and intestines. 

Granulocytes: A type of white blood cells. These cells kill bacteria in the body.

Growth factors: Also known as colony-stimulating factors, growth factors are substances that stimulate the production of blood cells in the bone marrow. They can help the blood-forming tissue recover from the effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

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H
Hematocrit (Hct): The percentage of red blood cells in the blood. A low hematocrit indicates anemia.

Hematologist: A doctor who specializes in caring for people with diseases of the blood and bone marrow.

Hematology: The study of the blood.

Hematuria: Blood in the urine.

Hemoccult: (Guaiac test): A test that checks for hidden blood in the stool.

Hemoglobin (Hgb): Found in the red blood cells, it is responsible for carrying oxygen to the body’s cells.

Hemorrhage: Loss of blood through heavy, uncontrolled bleeding.

Hodgkin’s disease: A type of lymphoma that is classified by certain unique characteristics of the cancer cell.

Hormones: Natural substances released by an organ that can influence the function of other organs in the body and growth of some types of cancer.

Hospice: Supportive care to meet the special needs of patients and families during the terminal stages of illness. The care is delivered by a specially trained team of professionals in the home or at the hospital.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): The virus that causes AIDS.

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I
Immune system: The defense system within the body to fight disease or infection.

Immunosuppression: A weakened immune system resulting in a decreased ability to fight disease or infections.

Infusion: The slow and/or prolonged intravenous delivery of fluids or medications into the blood stream through a vein.

Injection: The technique of putting medication into the body using a syringe and needle; often called a "shot."

Intra-arterial (IA): Into an artery.

Intracavitary (IC): Into a cavity or space, specifically the abdomen, pelvis or the chest.

Intralesional (IL): Into the cancerous area of a tumor.

Intramuscular (IM): Into a muscle.

Intrathecal (IT): Into the spinal fluid.

Intravenous (IV): Into a vein.

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L
Leukemia: Cancer of the blood. Leukemia originates in the blood-forming tissues of the bone marrow, lymph nodes and spleen. White blood cells may be produced at an abnormally high rate and be unable to work properly.

Leukocyte: A type of white blood cell that kills bacteria.

Leukopenia: A low number of white blood cells.

Lymphatic system: Made up of the lymph nodes, lymph and lymph vessels, and serves as a filtering system for the blood.

Lymph nodes: Small, bean-shaped organs found throughout the body. Lymph nodes are the body’s first line of defense against infections and cancer.

Lymphocytes: The white blood cells that are critical to the immune system’s defense against the invasion of disease organisms in the body, including cancer cells. Lymphocytes kill viruses.

Lymphoma: A cancer of the lymphatic system. 

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M
Malignant: Meaning cancerous.

Mammogram (Mammography): A low-dose x-ray of the breast to determine whether abnormal growths or cysts are present.

Mastectomy: The surgical removal of the breast.

Metastasis / Metastasized: The spread of the first cancer type to another site. An example is breast cancer spreading to the bone.

Monoclonal antibodies: Artificially manufactured antibodies specifically designed to find targets on cancer cells for diagnostic or treatment purposes.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): A sophisticated test that provides in-depth images of organs and structures in the body. 

Mucosa (Mucous Membrane): The lining of the mouth and gastrointestinal tract.

Mucositis: The inflammation of the mucosa.

Myeloma: A malignant tumor of the bone marrow associated with the production of abnormal proteins.

Myelosuppression: A decrease in the production of red blood cells, platelets and some white blood cells by the bone marrow.

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N
Nadir: The period of time following chemotherapy treatment when blood counts are generally at their lowest levels and a patient is at greatest risk of developing an infection and/or other blood-related side effects.

Nausea: The feeling that one might vomit.

Neoadjuvant therapy: Chemotherapy drugs (including hormones) given before surgery and/or radiation to shrink a tumor.

Neutropenia: A less than normal number of neutrophils, the white blood cells that help to defend against bacterial infection.

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: A type of lymphoma that is classified based on unique cell characteristics including size, arrangement, growth patterns and invasiveness. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is more common than Hodgkin’s disease.

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O
Oncologist: A doctor who specializes in caring for people with cancer.

Oncology: The study or treatment of cancer.

Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN): A registered nurse who has successfully met specific requirements, and successfully completed a certification exam.

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P
Palliative treatment: Treatment to relieve, rather than cure, symptoms caused by cancer. Palliative care can help people live more comfortably.

Pap smear: A test to detect abnormal or cancerous cells in the cervix.

Pathologist: A doctor who studies tissue and body fluid under a microscope.

Pathology: The study of diseases by which you exam tissue and body fluids under a microscope. 

Peripheral neuropathy: A condition of the nervous system that usually begins in the hands and/or feet with symptoms of numbness, tingling, burning and/or weakness. Can be the result of some chemotherapy.

Petechiae: Tiny areas of bleeding under the skin, usually due to low number of platelets.

Phlebitis: A painful inflammation of a vein.

Photosensitivity: Extreme sensitivity to the sun, leaving a person prone to sunburn. Some chemotherapy agents and radiation have this effect on patients. 

Placebo: An inert substance often used in clinical trials for comparison.

Platelets: The cells in the blood that are responsible for sealing off injuries and preventing excessive bleeding - the clotting cells.

Platelet count: The number of platelets in a blood sample. 

PO (Per Os): By mouth; orally.

Polyp: A growth of tissue protruding into a body cavity such as a nasal or rectal polyp. It may be benign or malignant.

Port: A small plastic or metal reservoir surgically placed under the skin and attached to a central venous catheter inside the body. Blood and fluids can be infused or removed through the port using a special needle.

Primary tumor: The original cancer site. For example, breast cancer that has spread to the bone is still called breast cancer.

Prognosis: The probable outcome or course of a disease, the chance of recovery.

Protocol: The treatment plan.

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R
Radiation therapy: The use of high-energy rays or subatomic particles to treat disease. Types of radiation include x-ray, electron beam, alpha and beta particle, and gamma rays.

Radiologist: A doctor who specializes in the use of x-rays and other imaging techniques to diagnose and treat disease.

Radiology: The diagnosis and treatment of disease through the use of x-ray.

Red blood cells (Erythrocytes): Cells in the blood that bring oxygen to tissues and take carbon dioxide from them.

Red blood count (RBC): The number of red blood cells seen in a blood sample.

Regression: The shrinkage of cancer growth.

Relapse: The reappearance of disease.

Remission: The partial or complete disappearance of signs and symptoms of disease.

Risk factor: Anything that increases a person’s chances of developing disease, i.e. smoking is a risk factor for lung cancer. 

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S
Sarcoma: A malignant tumor of muscles or connective tissues such as bone and cartilage.

Shingles: A virus that settles around certain nerves causing blisters, swelling and pain. Also known as herpes zoster.

Side effects: Secondary effects of treatment. Also known as adverse effects.

Staging: The determination of the extent of cancer in the body through examinations and tests.

Stomatitis: Sores on the lining of the mouth.

Subcutaneous (SQ or SC): Under the skin.

Surgery: The removal of tissue by operation.

Symptoms: Physical signs of disease or feelings that indicate illness or infection.

Systemic disease: A disease that affects the whole body.

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T
Therapy: Treatment given to relieve symptoms or to cure a disease.

Thrombocytopenia: An abnormal low number of platelets (thrombocytes). The decrease can be a side effect of chemotherapy and bleeding can occur.

Tissue: A collection of cells that perform a similar function in the body.

Topical: Applied directly to the skin.

Toxicity: A term used to refer to the unwanted side effects caused by chemotherapy.

Toxins: Poisons

Tumor: An abnormal growth of cells or tissues. Tumors are either benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

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V
Vein: A blood vessel that carries blood from the tissues to the heart and lungs.

Venipuncture: A puncture into a vein to obtain a blood sample, to start an intravenous drip or to administer medication.

Venous access device (VAD): A catheter that is surgically implanted under the skin.

Vesicant: An intravenous medication that, if leaked into tissue, could cause pain, swelling, tissue damage or destruction.

Virus: A tiny infectious agent that is smaller than bacteria. Viruses produce diseases like measles, mumps, chicken pox, common colds and other infections.

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W
White blood cells (WBC): The blood cells that fight infection.

White Blood Count (WBC): The actual number of white blood cells seen in a blood sample.

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X
X-ray Therapy: High energy, electromagnetic radiation used to diagnose and treat disease.

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