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Home > Conditions & Concerns > Specialties > Cancer > Glossary |
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Glossary |
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Highlights |
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Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) A viral disease that destroys the body's ability to fight infections, leaving the body susceptible to many other diseases. Acute A sudden onset of symptoms or disease. Adenoma A benign tumor made up of glandular tissue. For example, an adenoma of the pituitary gland may cause it to produce abnormal amounts of hormones. Adrenal glands Two small organs near the kidneys that release hormones. AFP (Alpha fetoprotein) A tumor marker. Alopecia The loss of hair, which may include all body hair as well as scalp hair. Anemia A condition in which a decreased number of red blood cells may cause symptoms including tiredness, shortness of breath, and weakness. Anorexia The loss of appetite. Antibody A substance formed by the body to help defend itself against infection. Antiemetic agent A drug that prevents or controls nausea and vomiting. Antifungal agent A drug used to treat fungal infections. Antigen Any substance that causes the body to produce natural antibodies. Antineoplastic agent A drug that prevents, kills, or blocks the growth and spread of cancer cells. Arrhythmia An irregular heartbeat. Aspiration The process of removing fluid or tissue, or both, from a specific area. Autoimmunity A condition in which the body's immune system mistakenly fights and rejects the body's own tissues. Axilla The armpit. Axillary nodes Lymph nodes - also called lymph glands found in the armpit (Axilla).
Barium enema The use of a milky solution (Barium sulfate) given by an enema (through the Rectum) to allow X-ray examination of the lower intestinal tract. Barium swallow The use of a milky solution (Barium sulfate) given orally to allow X-ray examination of the upper intestinal tract. Benign growth A swelling or growth that is not cancerous and does not spread from one part of the body to another. Biopsy The surgical removal of tissue for microscopic examination to aid in diagnosis. Blood cells Minute structures produced in the Bone marrow; they consist of Red blood cells, white Blood cells and Platelets. Blood count The number of Red blood cells, White blood cells and Platelets in a sample of blood. Bone marrow The spongy material found inside the bones. Most blood cells are manufactured in the Bone marrow. Bone marrow biopsy and aspiration The procedure by which a needle is inserted into a bone to withdraw a sample of bone marrow for Investigation purposes or for Transplants. Bone marrow suppression A decrease in the production capacity of the Bone marrow leading to decrease in the production of blood cells. Bone marrow transplant The infusion of Bone marrow into a patient who has been treated with a high dose of Chemotherapy or Radiation therapy. Patients may use their own marrow, which in some cases has been frozen.
Bone scan A picture of the bones using a Radioactive dye that shows any injury, disease, or healing. This is a valuable test to determine if the cancer has spread to the bone, if Anti-cancer therapy has been successful, and if affected bony areas have been healing. Bone Densitometry Scanning of the bone to give a detailed picture of the density or mass content of the bone. It gives a T and a Z score which gives information of the density of the bone. Diagnosis of Osteoporosis is done by this investigation. Breast self-examination (BSE) A manual self-examination of the breasts. Bronchoscopy The insertion of a flexible, lighted tube through the mouth into the lungs to examine the lungs and airways. |
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Chemotherapy
