Cancer Terminology

Alopecia

hair loss from head or body; causes include chemotherapy and iron deficiency

Anaplasia

undifferentiated cell growth in a malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumors); reversion to a more primitive form, i.e. loss of structural or functional differentiation of normal cells

Ascites

accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity; contains a lot of proteins and electrolytes so blood protein and electrolyte levels will be off/low

Benign

non-cancerous; mild and nonprogressive sickness

Cachexia

loss of weight, muscle atrophy, fatigue, weakness, and loss of appetite in someone who is not actively trying to lose weight; often associated with severe disease

Cancer

class of diseases in which a group of cells display uncontrolled growth, invasion and metastasis (these 3 differentiate from benign tumors)

Carcinogen

agent that promotes cancer

Carcinoma

malignant cancer that arises from epithelial cells; skin, organ linings (breast, colon, pancreas -- basically, most of the body)

Cryosurgery

uses extreme cold to destroy abnormal or diseased tissue

Dysplasia

abnormality in maturation of cells within a tissue; typically a lot of immature cells

Exacerbation

increase in the seriousness of a disease marked by greater intensity of S/S displayed by patient

Vesicant Extravasation

leakage from IV of caustic/blister-causing agents (chemo drugs) into surrounding skin; do not flush IV access, no alcohol compresses, no occlusive dressings

Fibroma

benign tumors composed of fibrous or connective tissue

Fibrocystic

appearance of 'cobblestone' lumps in breast tissue; benign, but must be watched for change; no cure, reduce fat and caffeine intake

Hyperplasia

proliferation of cells beyond that which is normally seen, increased rate of cellular division

Laser Surgery

surgical procedure in which laser is used to excise tissue or fix tissue in place (to form adhesions)

Lymphedema

localized fluid retention caused by a compromised lymphatic system

Malignant

severe or progressively worsening disease; cancerous

Mammography

x-ray to examine human breast tissue to discover masses

Metastases

spread of disease from one place to a non-adjacent place; only malignant cells have this ability

Myelosuppression

bone marrow suppression; serious side-effect of chemo, risk is especially high in chemotherapy for leukemia; NSAIDs may also cause

Neoplasia

abnormal proliferation of cells, resulting in a neoplasm

Neoplasm

abnormal mass of tissue, the growth of which exceeds and is uncoordinated with that of the normal tissues

Oncofetal Antigens

proteins which are typically only present during fetal development but are found in adults with certain kinds of cancer (typically GI cancers)

Oncology

medical branch that study cancer or malignancy

Palliative

therapy that concentrates on reducing severity of disease symptoms, reduces suffering and tries to increase quality of life; not a cure

Proliferation

to grow by rapid reproduction of cells

Radioactive Isotope

atom with unstable nucleus used in nuclear medicine for diagnosis, treatment and research

Remission

state of absence of disease activity in patients with known chronic illness

Sarcoma

cancer of the connective or supportive tissue (bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels) and soft tissue; very rare

Teratoma

type of neoplasm; formation of tissue type where it is not normally found; contains components of all 3 germ layers

Teratogenic

agent that interferes with normal prenatal development, possibly leading to birth defects such as cleft lip