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Anaplasia
Pattern of growth in which cells lack normal characteristics and differ in shape and organization with respect to their cells of origin; usually, anaplastic cells are malignant
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Angiogenesis
Growth of new blood vessels that allow cancer cells to grow
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Apoptosis
Programmed cell death
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Benign
Not cancerous; benign tumors may grow but are unable to spread to other organs or body parts
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Biologic Response Modifier Therapy
The use of agents or treatment methods that can alter the immunologic relationship between the tumor and the host to provide a therapeutic benefit
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Biopsy
A diagnostic procedure in which a small sample of tissue is removed and examine microscopically to detect malignant cells
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Brachytherapy
Delivery of radiation therapy through internal implants
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Cancer
A disease process whereby cells proliferate abnormally, ignoring growth-regulating signals in the environment surrounding the cells
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Carcinogenesis
Process of transforming normal cells into malignant cells
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Carcinogens
Chemicals, physical factors, and other agents that cause cancer
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Chemotherapy
The use of medications to kill tumor cells by interfering with cellular functions and reproduction
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Control
Containment of the growth of cancer cells
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Cure
Prolonged survival and disappearance of all evidence of disease so that the patient has the same life expectancy as anyone else in his or her age group
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Cytokines
Substances produced primarily by cells of the immune system to enhance production and function of components of the immune system
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Extravasation
Leakage of medication from the veins into the subcutaneous tissue
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Grading
Identification of the type of tissue from which the tumor originated and the degree to which the tumor cells retain the functional and structural characteristics of the tissue of origin
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Graft-versus-tumor effect
The donor cell response against the malignancy; a desirable response
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Malignant
Having cells or processes that are characteristics of cancer
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Metastasis
Spread of cancer cells from the primary tumor to distant sites
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Mucositis
Inflammation of the lining of the gastrointestinal tract often associated with cancer therapies
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Myelosuppression
Suppression of the blood-cell producing function of the bone marrow
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Nadir
Lowest point of white blood cell depression after therapy that has toxic effects on the bone marrow
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Neoplasia
Uncontrolled cell growth that follows no physiologic demand
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Neutropenia
Abnormally low absolute neutrophil count
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Oncology
Field or study of cancer
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Palliation
Relief of symptoms and promotion of comfort and quality of life
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Radiation Therapy
The use of ionizing radiation to kill malignant cells
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Staging
Process of determining the extent of disease, including tumor size and spread or metastasis to distant sites
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Stomatitis
Inflammation of the oral tissues, often associated with some chemotherapeutic agents and radiation therapy to the head and neck region
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Targeted Therapies
Cancer treatments that seek to minimize the negative effects on health tissues by disrupting specific cancer cell functions, such as malignant transformation, communication pathways, processes fro growth and metastasis, and genetic coding
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Thrombocytopenia
Decrease in the number of circulating platelets; associated with the potential for bleeding
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Tumor-specific Antigen
Protein on the membrane of cancer cells that distinguishes the malignant cell from a benign cell of the same tissue type
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Vesicant
Substance that can cause tissue necrosis and damage
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Xerostomia
Dry oral cavity resulting from decreased function of salivary glands
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