Glossary of Terms

If you would like to find out about medical or cancer-related words that are not included here, you may find the links below useful.

Cancer.gov—This is the National Cancer Institute site. It has a wealth of complex, scientific information on cancer, as well as a very detailed glossary with information on words associated with all types of cancer, treatments, etc.

Acute
A sudden onset of a disease or a problem. Example: Mr. Chad an acute episode of fever.
Adjuvant therapy
Treatment used in addition to the main treatment. It usually refers to hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or immunotherapy added after surgery to increase the chances of curing the disease or keeping it in check.
Alopecia
Loss of hair-When the doctor says “this chemotherapy has less chance of alopecia” it means that that particular chemotherapy drug has lower chance of causing hair loss.
Anemia
Red cells of the blood contain a substance called hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to different parts of the body. When the hemoglobin is low the condition is called anemia. Anemia may cause symptoms like fatigue, tiredness and weakness.
Atypical
Not usual; abnormal. Cancer is the result of atypical cell division.
Benign
Not cancerous; does not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body.
Bilateral
Affecting both sides of the body; for example, bilateral breast cancer is cancer occurring in both breasts at the same time
Biopsy
The examination of tissue to determine whether it is malignant or benign. 
Bone scan
Obtaining a picture of the bone using radioactive materials. A radioactive substance is injected in to the blood stream, and a picture of the bone is taken by using sensors that sense radioactivity. This is often used to find out if there is cancer in the bone.
Cancer
Abnormal growth of cells that tend to invade in to the surrounding structures and to distant organs.
Carcinogen
A cancer-causing substance. 
Carcinoma
A malignant tumor arising in the sheets of cells covering the surface of the body and lining of various glands. 
Chemotherapy
Treatment through the use of chemicals. 
Clinical trials
Research studies to test new drugs or procedures or to compare current tests and/or treatment options.
CT scan
Computed tomography scan. A series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles; the pictures are created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine.
Cyst
A fluid-filled mass that is usually harmless (benign). The fluid can be removed for analysis (rd treatments, medications, procedures) with others that may be equal or better.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is finding out the exact disease that is causing the patient's problem. Laboratory tests are often used to determine the correct diagnosis. After laboratory investigations, a physician may tell a patient that the tumor in the breast is diagnosed as lipoma and is not a cancer.
Edema
Swelling caused by a collection of fluid in the soft tissues.
Hematocrit
The percentage of red blood cells.
Hemoglobin
Contained in the red blood cells; responsible for carrying oxygen.
Immunization Therapy
Treatment by activating the immune system. 
Intravenous (IV)
A method of supplying fluids and medications, using a needle inserted in a vein.
Invasive cancer
Cancer that has invaded surrounding tissue and spread to distant parts of the body.
Leukemia
Cancer in the blood-forming cells of the bone marrow. 
Lumpectomy
Surgery to remove the tumor and a small amount of normal tissue around it.
Lymph nodes
Small masses of bean-shaped tissue, located along the lymphatic vessels that remove waste and fluids from lymph and act as filters of impurities in the body.
Lymphoma
Cancer arising in the lymph nodes. 
Malignant
Cells which will continue to grow geometrically and are considered cancerous. 
Margin
This term refers to the edge of a surgical specimen. When a tumor is surgically removed the cut edge is called margin. If the margin is involved with cancer, your surgeon may suggest repeat surgery to remove any possible remaining cancer that may be present at the other cut edge of the surgically removed tissue.
Mastectomy
Surgery to remove the breast; can be partial or complete.
Metastasize
The breaking away of cancer cells from the original tumor, settling elsewhere in the body and forming a new tumor. 
Nodule
A small, solid lump that can be located by touch.
Nuclear scans
Pictures of the inside of the body taken after slightly radioactive material is swallowed or injected into the bloodstream.
Oncologist
A doctor that specializes in the treatment of cancer. He/she may further specialize in medicine, radiation, or surgery, but always in relation to cancer. 
Palliative Treatment
Treatment that relieves pain and symptoms but is not intended to cure disease. 
Pathology
The examination of tissues and body fluids to determine whether malignant cells are present and to figure out the type of cells and the projected future course of the illness. 
Platelets
A type of blood cell that helps prevent bleeding by causing blood clots to form.
Protocol
A specific treatment or set of treatments that have been developed to treat cancer. 
Randomized
Chosen at random. In a research study it means choosing subjects to be given a particular treatment by means of a computer programmed to choose names at random.
Radiologist
A physician who has taken additional years of training to produce and read x-rays and other types of images (for example, ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging).
Recurrence
The return of cancer after it was thought to be in remission or cured. 
Regimen
A strict, regulated plan of diet, exercise, or other activity designed to reach certain goals. In cancer treatment, a plan to treat cancer.
Relapse
Reappearance of cancer after a disease-free period.
Remission
When cancer can no longer be found but cannot be determined as cured. 
Sarcoma
A malignant tumor that grows in supporting structures such as fibrous tissue and blood vessels. 
Scan
A picture of a particular part of the body, such as bones, brain or liver, produced by counting the radiation caused by radioactive particles being absorbed by that part of the body. 
Side effects
After-effects or secondary effects of treatment, such as hair loss caused by chemotherapy and fatigue caused by radiation therapy.
Surgery
An operation; a procedure performed by a surgeon to repair or remove a part of the body or to find out if disease is present.
Tumor
The mass caused by a concentration of cells, either benign or malignant.
Tumor marker
A substance detectable in the blood or urine that suggests the presence of cancer.
White blood cells
A name for several types of cells in blood that remain after red cells have been removed. Their purpose is to help defend against infection. T-cell lymphocytes and B-cell lymphocytes are two types of white blood cells that play a role in the immune system against cancer.
X-rays
One form of radiation that can, at low levels, produce an image of cancer on film, and at high levels, can destroy cancer cells.