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Home > Conditions & Concerns > Specialties  > Cancer  > Glossary

Glossary

C

Cancer

A group of diseases in which malignant cells grow out of control and spread to other parts of the body.

Cancer in situ

The stage where the cancer is still confined to the tissue in which it started.

Candidiasis

A common fungal infection.

Carcinogen

A substance that causes cancer. For example, nicotine in cigarettes is a carcinogen that causes lung cancer.

Carcinoma

A type of cancer that starts in the skin or the lining of the organs.

• Adenocarcinoma 

A malignant tumor arising from glandular tissue. 

• Basal cell carcinoma

The most common type of skin cancer.

• Bronchogenic carcinoma

A cancer originating in the lungs or airways.

Cervical carcinoma

A cancer of the cervix (the neck of the uterus).

• Endometrial carcinoma

A cancer of the lining of the uterus.

• Squamous cell carcinoma

Cancer arising from the skin or the surfaces of other structures, such as the mouth, cervix, or lungs.

Cardiomegaly

An enlargement of the heart.

CAT scan (CT scan)

A test using computers and X-rays to create images of various parts of the body.

CEA (Carcino-embryonic antigen)

A blood tumor marker.

Cellulitis

The inflammation of an area of the skin (Epithelial layer).

Central venous catheter

A special intravenous tubing that is surgically inserted into a large vein near the heart and exits from the chest or abdomen. The catheter allows medications, fluids, or blood products to be given and blood samples to be taken. (Examples of types of Central Venous Catheters are BROVIAC^TM catheter, GROSHONG^TM catheter, HICKMAN^TM catheter etc).

"HICKMAN, BROVIAC, GROSHONG are trademarks of C. R. Bard, Inc."

Cervical nodes 

Lymph nodes in the neck.

Chemotherapy

The treatment of cancer with drugs.

• Adjuvant chemotherapy

Chemotherapy given to kill any remaining cancer cells, usually after all detectable tumor is removed by Surgery or Radiotherapy. 

Combination Chemotherapy 

The use of more than one drug during cancer treatment.

Chronic

Persisting over a long period of time.

Colonoscopy

A procedure to look at the colon or large bowel through a lighted, flexible tube.

Colony-stimulating factor (CSF)

An injectable substance used to stimulate the bone marrow to produce more cells. 

Colostomy 

A surgical procedure by which an opening is created between the colon and the outside of the abdomen to allow stool to be emptied into a collection bag.

Colposcopy

Examination of the vagina and cervix with an instrument called a Colposcope to view the inside by a fiber optic scope.

Congestive heart failure

A buildup of fluid in Pericardial cavity, the lungs and/or Extremities resulting in failure of the heart to comply with the blood supply needed, resulting in enlargement of the heart and cardiac failure.

Cyst

An accumulation of fluid or semi-solid material within a sac.

Cystitis

Inflammation of the bladder.

D

Drug resistance 

The result of the cells' ability to resist the effects of a specific drug. 

Dysphagia 

Difficulty in swallowing. 

Dyspnea 

Difficult or painful breathing; shortness of breath. 

Dysuria 

Difficult or painful urination. 

E

Edema 

The accumulation of fluid in any part of the body. 

Effusion 

A collection of fluid in a body cavity, usually between two adjoining tissues. For example, a Pleural effusion is the collection of fluid between two layers of the pleura (the lung's covering). 

Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) 

A test that takes recordings of the electrical activity of the heart. 

Endoscopy 

A procedure looking at the inside of body cavities, such as the esophagus (food pipe) or stomach. 

Erythema 

Redness of the skin. 

Erythrocyte 

The red blood cell that carries oxygen to body cells and carbon dioxide away from body cells.

Esophagitis 

Inflammation of the esophagus (food pipe). 

Estrogen 

A female hormone produced primarily by the ovaries.

Estrogen receptor assay (ER assay) 

A test that determines if breast cancer is stimulated by the hormone estrogen.

Excision 

Surgical removal. 

Extra-vasation 

The leaking of intravenous fluids or medications into tissue surrounding the infusion site. Extra-vasation may cause tissue damage. 

F

Fine-needle aspirate 

A procedure in which a needle is inserted, under local anesthesia, to obtain a sample for the evaluation of suspicious tissue. 

Fistula 

An abnormal opening between two areas of the body. 

Frozen section 

A technique in which tissue is removed and then quick-frozen and examined under a microscope by a pathologist.