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Glossary
of Terms
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A
B C D
E F G H I
J K
L M
N
O P
Q
R S T U
V W X Y
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apoptosis a-pop-to-sis
Programmed cell death. Apoptosis is controlled by genes that
cause a cell to die at a specific time, e.g., when DNA is
damaged. This type of cell death is different from the process
of cell death by decay. Apoptosis can be brought about by some
drugs used to treat cancer. |
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benign
tumor
be-nign
An abnormal growth that is not cancer and does not spread to
other areas of the body. |
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cancer
can-cer
Cancer is not just one disease but rather a group
of diseases. All forms of cancer cause cells in the body to
change and grow out of control. Most types of cancer cells form
a lump or mass called a tumor. The tumor can invade and
destroy healthy tissue. Cells from the tumor can break away and
travel to other parts of the body. There they can continue to
grow. This spreading process is called metastasis. When
cancer spreads, it is still named after the part of the body
where it started. For example, if breast cancer spreads to the
lungs, it is still breast cancer, not lung cancer.
Some cancers, such as
blood cancers, do not form a tumor. Not all tumors are cancer. A
tumor that is not cancer is called benign. Benign tumors
do not grow and spread the way cancer does. They are usually not
a threat to life. Another word for cancerous is malignant. |
cancer
cell
A cell that divides and reproduces abnormally and has the
potential to spread throughout the body, crowding out normal
cells and tissue. |
cell
The basic unit of which all
living things are made. Cells replace themselves by splitting
and forming new cells (mitosis). The processes that
control the formation of new cells and the death of old cells
are disrupted in cancer. |
chemotherapy
che-mo-ther-a-py
Treatment with drugs to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy is
often used with surgery or radiation to treat cancer when the
cancer has spread, when it has come back (recurred), or when
there is a strong chance that it could recur. |
chorionic
gonadotropin
chor-i·on-ic adj.
The outer
membrane enclosing the embryo in reptiles, birds, and mammals.
In placental mammals it contributes to the development of the
placenta.
go·nad·o·tro·pin n.
A
hormone that stimulates the growth and activity of the gonads,
especially any of several pituitary hormones that stimulate the
function of the ovaries and testes. |
cytology
cy-tol-o-gy
The branch of science that deals with the structure and function
of cells. Also refers to tests to diagnose cancer and other
diseases by examination of cells under the microscope. |
cytoxic
ribonuclease
cy-tox-ic: toxic to cells; cell-killing
ri·bo·nu·cle·ase n:
Any
of various enzymes that break down RNA. Also called RNase. |
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detection
Finding disease. Early
detection means that the disease is found at an early stage,
before it has grown large or spread to other sites. Note: many
forms of cancer can reach an advanced stage without causing
symptoms. Mammography can help to find breast cancer early, and
the PSA blood test is useful in finding prostate cancer. |
diagnosis
Identifying a disease by its
signs or symptoms, and by using imaging procedures and
laboratory findings. The earlier a diagnosis of cancer is made,
the better the chance for long-term survival. |
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leukemia
leu-ke-mi-a:
Cancer of the blood or blood-forming organs. People with
leukemia often have a noticeable increase in white blood cells
(leukocytes). |
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malignant
tumor
ma-lig-nant
A mass of cancer cells that may invade surrounding tissues or
spread (metastasize) to distant areas of the body. |
medical
oncologist
A doctor who is specially
trained to diagnose and treat cancer with chemotherapy and other
drugs. |
mesothelioma
mes·o·the·li·o·ma
n
A usually malignant tumor of mesothelial tissue, especially
that of the pleura or peritoneum. |
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oncology
on-col-o-gy
The branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and
treatment of cancer. |
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phosphorylation
phos-pho·ryl·a-tion n.
To add a phosphate group to (an organic molecule). |
pre-malignant
Changes in cells
that may, but do not always, become cancer. Also called precancerous. |
protein
A large molecule made up of a
chain of smaller units called amino acids. Proteins serve many
vital functions within and outside of the cell. |
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retinoblastoma
ret·i·no·blas·to·ma n.A
hereditary malignant tumor of the retina, transmitted as a
dominant trait and occurring chiefly among infants. |
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telomere
tel·o·mere n.
Either end of a chromosome; a terminal chromosome. |
tumor
An abnormal lump or mass of
tissue. Tumors can be benign (not cancerous) or malignant
(cancerous). |
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vaccine
The modified virus of a disease
used to bring about resistance to that disease for a period of
time, or even permanently. Development of a cancer vaccine is a
subject of intense research.
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