Glossary
adenocarcinoma: (a-den-o car-ci-no-ma)
A cancer that involves the cells lining the walls of many different organs of the body. It starts in glandular tissue or has a gland-like appearance.
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adenoma: (a-den-o-ma)
A benign tumour (not a cancer) that starts in gland tissue or has a gland-like appearance. An adenoma may become malignant (cancerous) if it is not treated.
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abdomen: (ab-do-men)
The part of the body that extends from the diaphragm to the floor of the pelvis. It contains the pancreas, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and other organs.
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acute: (a-kewt)
Happening suddenly, then subsiding after a short period of time. Brief and severe.
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adjuvant therapy: (ad-joo-vant)
Treatment that aids or assists the main treatment, for example, adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy may be used before surgery to shrink a tumour, or after the main treatment to eradicate any remaining cancer cells.
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advanced cancer:
Cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and/or is unlikely to be cured.
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benign: (beh-nine)
Not cancerous or malignant; it does not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body.
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bile:
A greenish yellow to brown fluid that is secreted continuosly by the liver and is stored in the gallbladder and is eventually expelled into the duodenum.
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bile duct:
Bile is transferred from the gallbladder to the duodenum via a bile duct.
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biopsy: (bi-opsi)
A procedure used to remove cells or tissues to look at them under a microscope and check for signs of disease. When an entire tumor or lesion is removed, the procedure is called an excisional biopsy. When only a sample of tissue is removed, the procedure is called an incisional biopsy or core biopsy. When a sample of tissue or fluid is removed with a needle, the procedure is called a needle biopsy or fine-needle aspiration.
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bowel: (bow-el)
The part of the gastrointestinal tract between the stomach and the anus, also called the intestine or gut. The bowel is a tube about 8 metres long
that lies curled up in the abdomen. It completes the digestion and absorption of food, and gets rid of the remaining wastes. It is divided into two main parts: the small intestine and the large intestine.
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cancer:
A general term for a group of more than 100 different diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and can spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body. Most cancers are named for the type of cell or the organ in which they begin. When cancer cells spread to other parts of the body they form secondary tumours (metastasise). The new tumour has the same name as the original (primary) tumour. Benign tumours are not cancer; malignant tumours are cancer.
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carcinogen: (car-sin-o-gen)
Any substance that can cause cancer.
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cell:
Cells are the basic building blocks of the body. They are microscopic in size. The human body consists of millions of cells of many different types, each type speciailised to perform a particular function.
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cell division:
The process by which cells divide in two to reproduce and replace themselves.
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chemotactic: (kee-mo-tak-tik)
Is the direction of cells in response to chemical substances(medicines).
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chemotherapy:
The use of particular drugs (cytotoxic drugs) to kill cancer cells or slow down their growth. Chemotherapy can also be used to relieve symptoms. The drugs used also affect normal cells and can cause undesirable side effects.
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clinical trial:
A clinical trial is a research study that evaluates new and better ways to prevent disease and to improve treatment outcomes for people with diseases like cancer.
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colon: (ko-lun)
The long, coiled, tubelike organ that removes water from digested food. The remaining material, solid waste called stool, moves through the colon to the rectum and leaves the body through the anus.
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colonoscope: (ko-lun-o-skope)
A thin, lighted tube used to examine the inside of the colon.
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colonoscopy: (ko-lun-os-ko-pee)
An examination of the inside of the colon using a thin, lighted tube (called a colonoscope) inserted into the rectum. If abnormal areas are seen, tissue can be removed and examined under a microscope to determine whether disease is present.
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colorectal: (ko-lo-rek-tool)
Having to do with the colon or the rectum.
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colostomy: (ko-los-to-mee)
An opening into the colon from the outside of the body. A colostomy provides a new path for waste material to leave the body after part of the colon has been removed.
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CT scan
Computed tomography scan. A series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body; the pictures are created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. Also called computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan.
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cytotoxic: (sigh-to-tox-ik)
Drugs (medicine) that contain cytotoxins, a chemotactic factor that directly attracts leucocytes.
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detection: (dee-tek-shon)
The discovery of an abnormality or disease in the body. 'Early detection' is the discovery of an abnormality at an early stage when it is readily treated and, in the case of cancer, much more likely to be curable.
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diagnosis: (dye-ag-no-sis)
The identification and naming of a person's disease. Many factors are taken into account, including previous medical background, symptoms, findings from a physical examination, blood tests, other laboratory tests, x-rays and possibly a biopsy.
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differentiated cells:
Mature cells that perform a specific function in the body, for example, blood cells, bone cells, or skin cells, and are clearly different from other types of cell: see cell.
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digestive system: (dye-jes-tiv)
The organs of the body that take in food and break it down into smaller units ready for absorption. The digestive system includes the mouth, oesophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, small and large intestines, and rectum.
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duodenum: (dew-o-dee-num)
The name applied to the first 20-25cm of the small intestine. It receives bile from the gall bladder and pancreatic juice from the pancreas.
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endoscopy: (en-dos-ko-pee)
Endoscopy is the procedure of looking inside the body using an endoscope, which is an instrument consisting of a thin, flexible tube with a light at the end that is inserted into a body opening (mouth, anus, vagina, urethra) to enable a direct view of structures inside the body. Many endoscopes can also be used to take a sample of tissue for biopsy, or to remove small growths.
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enema: (en-e-ma)
A procedure to wash out faeces from the bowel, to insert drugs for treatment.
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esophagus: (eh-sof-a-gus)
See oesophagus.
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excision: (ek-sish-on)
Cutting out tissue, an organ or a tumour from the body.
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gall bladder: (gawl-blader)
A pear-shaped organ on the underside of the liver where bile is stored. Bile is transferred from the gall bladder to the duodenum via the bile duct.
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gamma rays:
A form of radiation that comes from a radioisotope. Gamma rays are commonly used in radiotherapy to treat cancer.
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gastrectomy: (gas-trek-toe-mee)
An operation to remove all or part of the stomach. The removal of the stomach, or of part of it, by surgery.
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gastric: (gas-trik)
Having to do with the stomach.
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gastroenterologist: (gas-tro-en-ter-ol-o-jist)
A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the digestive system.
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gastrointestinal tract: (gas-tro in-tes-tin-al)
The gastrointestinal tract starts at the oesophagus and includes the stomach, liver, gall bladder, pancreas, small and large intestines and anus.
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gastroscope: (gas-tro-skope)
A thin, lighted tube used to view the inside of the stomach. This process is called a gastroscopy. A gastroscope can also be used to take samples of tissue for biopsy and to remove small growths.
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gland:
An organ that produces and releases one or more substances for use in the body. Some glands produce fluids that affect tissues or organs. Others produce hormones or participate in blood production.
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haem(o)-, haemat(o)-:
Of the blood.
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haematology: (hae-ma-tol-o-gy)
The branch of medicine that studies the blood. A doctor specialising in diseases of the blood is called a haematologist.
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histology: (hist-ol-o-gee)
The study of body cells and of the structure of body tissues, using a microscope.
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immunocompromised: (imm-u-no com-pro-mized)
A term that means the immune system is not working properly, possibly as the result of disease or a genetic condition, or a side-effect of drugs (medicines). Some chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments can have a negative effect on the immune system.
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incidence: (ins-i-dens)
The number of new cases of a disease occurring during a given period (usually one year) in a specific population.
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informed consent:
A legal standard that requires a patient to be fully informed about the potential risks factors and benefits of treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgical procedures before undergoing such therapy or surgery. Once patients are aware of the procedure(s), they sign a form giving medical staff permission to proceed.
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intraoperative radiation therapy:
IORT. Radiation treatment aimed directly at a tumor during surgery.
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intraperitoneal chemotherapy:
Treatment in which anticancer drugs are put directly into the abdominal cavity through a thin tube.
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intravenous (IV): (in-tra-vee-nous)
Injected into a blood vessel. Into a vein. An intravenous drip gives drugs directly into a vein.
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invasive cancer: (in-vay-siv)
A cancer that has started to invade the tissues surrounding it.
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jejunectomy: (je-joo-nek-to-me)
The operation of excising the whole or a portion of the jejunum.
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jejunum: (je-joo-num)
One of three portions of the small bowel, below the duodenum and leading into the ileum.
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kidney cancer:
Most cancers of the kidney are renal cell carcinomas (also known as hypernephromas).
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laproscopy: (la-prosk-o-pee)
The process of looking into the abdomen using a thin flexible tube with a light at the end known as a laparoscope, in order to establish a diagnosis, particularly of liver, bowel and pelvic conditions: see endoscopy.
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liver:
Cancer that begins in the liver is not very common in Australia. Treatment may be surgery and/or chemotherapy. However it is common to find secondary tumours (metastases) in the liver, that is, cancers that have spread to the liver from another part of the body. These 'liver secondaries' are not true liver cancers, and treatment will depend on the site and type of the primary or original cancer.
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LFT:
Liver function test: A simple blood test that gives information about how the liver is functioning.
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liver scan:
A test used to discover the size, shape and position of the liver and to detect any tumours.
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local therapy:
Treatment that affects cells in the tumor and the area close to it.
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lymph: (lim-f)
A clear fluid that contains white blood cells, antibodies, and wastes carried from the body tissues, lymph is present throughout the body in a network of lymphatic vessels.
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lymph glands: (lim-f)
See lymph nodes.
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lymph node: (lim-f)
Small bean-shaped structures scattered along the lymphatic vessels, particularly in the neck, armpit and groin. They filter the lymph to remove bacteria and other harmful agents to prevent them from entering the bloodstream. Lymph nodes also produce lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. Also called lymph glands (although they are not true glands). Lymph node negative test results show no cancer cells in the lymph nodes. Lymph node positive test results show that cancer cells are present in the lymph nodes.
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lymphatic system: (lim-fat-ik)
The tissues and organs that produce, store, and carry white blood cells that fight infection and other diseases. This system includes the bone marrow, spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes and a network of thin tubes that carry lymph and white blood cells. These tubes branch, like blood vessels, into all the tissues of the body. The network of vessels that carries lymph from the tissues to the bloodstream.
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malignant: (mal-lig-nant)
Cancerous; a growth of abnormal cells with a tendency to invade and destroy nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.
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malignant tumour: (mal-lig-nant tew-mer)
A tumour that is cancerous. A malignant tumour may invade and destroy surrounding tissues and can spread to other parts of the body: see benign.
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medical oncologist: (on-kol-o-jist)
A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer using chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and biological therapy. A medical oncologist often serves as the main caretaker of someone who has cancer and coordinates treatment provided by other specialists.
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metastasis: (meh-tas-ta-sis)
The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another. When cancer cells break away from the original tumour and are carried by the lymph and blood systems to other parts of the body they are said to metastasise. Even though the metastasis may be far away, it is not a new cancer: see cancer. Also known as secondary tumour or metastatic tumour.
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metastisise: (meh-tas-ta-size)
See metastesis.
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morbidity: (more-bid-i-tee)
Sickness, illness.
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oesophagus: (eh-sof-a-gus)
The muscular tube through which food passes from the throat to the stomach. The gullet; the tube that connects the throat with the stomach, down which food passes.
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oesophageal cancer: (eh-sof-a-gee-al)
Cancer of the oesophagus. The most common symptom is difficulty swallowing.
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oncologist: (on-kol-o-gist)
A doctor who specialises in the study and treatment of cancer.
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oncology: (on-kol-o-gee)
The branch of medicine concerned with the study and treatment of cancer.
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organ: (or-gan)
A structure in the body that is responsible for a specific function or functions, including heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, ovaries.
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palliative care: (pali-a-tif)
Care that provides for all the medical and nursing needs of the patient for whom cure is not possible. This involves the psychological and social needs of the patient and family, for the duration of the patient's illness, includes bereavement care.
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pancreas: (pan-kri-as)
A thin, lumpy glandular organ about 15 cm long that is located behind the stomach in the upper left part of the abdomen. The pancreas is surrounded by the stomach, intestines, and other organs. The pancreas produces enzymes that help to digest food. It also produces insulin, which controls the amount of sugar in the blood.
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pancreatic cancer: (pan-kri-at-ik)
Cancer of the pancreas. It is more common in men and in older people, and is rarely found under the age of 55. There are two types: cancer of the endocrinee pancreas, and cancer of theexocrine pancreas. Pancreatic cancer is often difficult to diagnose, as the symptoms (pain in the abdomen, loss of appetite, nausea, jaundice, weight loss) may also be caused by many other conditions.
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pathologist: (pa-thol-o-jist)
A doctor who identifies diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope.
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pathology: (pa-thol-o-jee)
The study of the nature, cause and development of disease by examining samples of blood, urine, faeces and body tissues, using x-rays and other techniques, and carrying out autopsies.
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PEG:
Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy, also simply called gastrostomy. A tube inserted through the skin and abdomen wall, directly into the stomach, so that liquid foods can be fed directly into the stomach.
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PET scan:
Positron Emission Tomography is a technique that is used to build up clear and detailed pictures of the body. The person is injected with a glucose solution containing a very small amount of radioactive material. The scanner can 'see' the radioactive substance, and this shows where healthy cells are using the glucose in the body. Damaged or cancerous cells show up as areas where the glucose is being ignored.
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polyp: (pol-ip)
A growth that protrudes from a mucous membrane. An abnormal growth projecting from one of the body's mucous membranes. The most common places they are found include the nose, colon, and bladder. Polyps are generally benign, but one type that occurs in the bowel, an adenoma, can become malignant (cancerous) over a period of many years.
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precancerous condition:
A growth that is not cancerous (malignant), but which may become a cancer if it is not treated, such as adenomas, which may develop into cancer.
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prognosis: (prog-no-sis)
The likely outcome or course of a disease; the chance of recovery or recurrence. 1. The outlook or expected outcome of a disease. 2. The length of time the person is expected to live.
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primary tumour:
The A malignant tumour (a cancer) starts in one site of the body where it is known as the primary tumour. At a later stage, cancer cells may break away from it and be carried to other parts of the body, where they may lodge and increase to form secondary tumours or metastases.
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protocol: (pro-to-kol)
A formal, detailed treatment plan used for groups of people with similar medical problems. Doctors follow set treatment protocols so that the results of different types of treatment can be compared, and the natural course of a disease may be better understood.
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radiation: (ray-dee-ay-shun)
Any form of energy that spreads or radiates from its source, including heat, light (visible, ultraviolet and infrared), gamma rays and x-rays. Only a few forms of radiation are radioactive.
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radiation oncologist: (ray-dee-ay-shun on-kol-o-jist)
A doctor who specializes in using radiation to treat cancer. A doctor who specialises in the use of x-rays and other forms of radiation to treat cancers as well as other conditions. Previously called radiotherapist, which term is now used to describe the technician (not a doctor) who delivers or plans radiotherapy.
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radiatiotherapy: (ray-dee-ay-shun)
The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, neutrons, and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external-beam radiation therapy) or from material called radioisotopes. Radioisotopes produce radiation and can be placed in or near a tumor or near cancer cells. This type of radiation treatment is called internal radiation therapy, implant radiation, or brachytherapy. Systemic radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance such as a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody that circulates throughout the body. Also called radiotion therapy. The use of particular forms of radiation, usually x-rays or gamma rays, to kill cancer cells or injure them so they cannot grow and multiply. Radiation can be directed at a cancer from outside the body, or a radioactive source may be implanted into the cancer and the area around it. Sometimes called radiation therapy.
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rectum: (rek-tum)
The last 12-15 cm of the large bowel, which opens to the outside at the anus.
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recurrence: (ri-kur-ans)
Cancer that has returned, at the same site as the original (primary) tumor or in another location, after the tumor had disappeared. The reappearance of the cancer after a period of remission.
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relapse:
The return of a disease after a period of improvement or remission.
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remission: (ri-mish-on)
A decrease in or disappearance of signs and symptoms of cancer. In partial remission, some, but not all, signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared. In complete remission, all signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared, although there still may be cancer in the body. A complete remission is a period of good health when all signs or symptoms of the disease have gone, although if the disease is cancer, there may still be some cancer cells in the body. A partial remission means that some of the signs and symptoms are gone. Sometimes called stable disease.
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renal cell carcinoma: (ree-nal)
The most common cancer of the kidney, it is a type of adenocarcinoma. The cancer may be present for some time before the person notices any symptoms, which include fever, pain and blood in the urine. Also called hypernephroma.
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resection: (ri-sek-shon)
The surgical removal of part of an organ or another structure.
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risk factor:
A habit, trait, condition, or genetic alteration that increases a person's chance of developing a disease. A measure of how likely a person is to develop a particular disease. Where people are at high risk of developing a particular disease, this does not mean that the disease is certain to develop, but that they have a greater-than-average chance of getting it. Similarly, people at low risk are less likely than others to develop it, though it could still occur. Therefore, risk factors are any action that increases a person's chance of developing a particular disease, for example, overexposure to the sun is the major risk factor for skin cancer.
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sarcoma: (sah-ko-mah)
A malignant tumour (a cancer) that starts in connective tissue.
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secondary tumour:
Also known as metastesis, a secondary tumour is an extension of the primary tumour. It develops in a part of the body away from the original (primary) cancer. When cancer cells break away from the original tumour and are carried by the lymph and blood systems to other parts of the body they are said to metastasise. Even though the metastasis may be far away, it is not a new cancer: see cancer.
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scan:
The term covers a variety of techniques for obtaining images of structures or organs inside the body. Scans are very useful in diagnosing cancer and finding out how far it has spread. Other types of scans include ultrasound scans, magnetic resonance imaging.
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screening:
Examining and/or testing a large number of people who have no symptoms of a particular disease, to identify anyone who may have that disease. This enables the disease to be treated at an early stage, when cure is more likely. Examples include Pap tests to detect precancerous changes of the cervix, and mammography, to screen women for early breast cancers.
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side effects:
Problems that occur when treatment affects healthy cells. Common side effects of cancer treatment are fatigue, nausea, vomiting, decreased blood cell counts, hair loss, and mouth sores. Many drugs (medicines) or treatments may affect the patient in ways other than and in addition to those intended. These are side-effects. Some side-effects are not a problem, but some are unpleasant, for example, chemotherapy may cause hair loss, radiotherapy and chemotherapy may cause nausea.
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small intestine:
The part of the digestive tract that is located between the stomach and the large intestine. The part of the gastrointestinal tract between the stomach and the colon. Also called the small bowel.
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spleen:
An organ in the upper part of the abdomen on the left side, below and behind the stomach. The spleen produces lymphocytes, filters blood, stores blood and destroys cells that are ageing. It can mount an immune response to infections in the blood system.
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splenectomy:
Surgical removal of the spleen. This is the treatment for cancer of the spleen. Once the spleen is removed, other parts of the body take over its functions.
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sigmoidoscope: (sig-moy-dos-ko-pee)
A thin, lighted tube used to view the inside of the colon.
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sigmoidoscopy: (sig-moy-dos-ko-pee)
Inspection of the lower colon using a thin, lighted tube called a sigmoidoscope. Samples of tissue or cells may be collected for examination under a microscope. Also called proctosigmoidoscopy. Examination of the rectum and first 20-25 cm of the colon using a sigmoidoscope, a long flexible tube with a light at the end that is inserted gently through the anus.
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stable disease:
A complete remission is a period of good health when all signs or symptoms of the disease have gone, although if the disease is cancer, there may still be some cancer cells in the body. A partial remission means that some of the signs and symptoms are gone. Sometimes called remission.
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stage:
The extent of a cancer, especially whether the disease has spread from the original site to other parts of the body.
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staging:
Performing exams and tests to learn the extent of the cancer within the body, especially whether the disease has spread from the original site to other parts of the body. For most cancers, the treatment used will depend on how far the cancer has spread, that is, the stage the disease has reached. It is important to assess this accurately. This assessment is called staging and is done by using various investigations such as x-ray, scan and biopsy.
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stoma: (sto-mar)
A surgically created opening from an area inside the body to the outside. Colostomy and urostomy are types of stomas. Also called an ostomy.
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stomach:
An organ that is part of the digestive system. It helps in the digestion of food by mixing it with digestive juices and churning it into a thin liquid. When food is swallowed, it passes first to the stomach, where the gastric juices start to digest it. After about one hour, the partly digested food moves on to the small intestine.
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stomach cancer:
The symptoms are often vague and may also be caused by many other conditions. Treatment in the early stages is usually by surgery.
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stool:
The waste matter discharged in a bowel movement; faeces.
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subacute:
A procedure to remove or repair a part of the body or to find out whether disease is present.
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survival rate:
The percentage of people diagnosed with a particular disease who are still alive after a given length of time, say five years, which is a common measure of success in cancer treatment.
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terminal:
An illness is described as terminal when the person is expected to die of that illness within months or weeks. Patients receiving hospice care are usually in the terminal phase of an illness.
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tissue: (tish-oo)
A group or layer of cells that are alike in type and work together to perform a specific function. Refers to a collection of cells which are specialised for a particular body function.
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tiration: (tye-ray-shon)
In chemotherapy, this means finding the right dose of a chemotherapy drug that will destroy cancer cells most effectively while keeping the effects on normal tissue to a safe, tolerable level.
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tolerance:
If a person takes a particular drug (or medicine) over some time, the drug may gradually become less effective as their body may respond less to it. This is known as drug tolerance. If this happens, it may be necessary either to increase the dose or change to another drug.
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tomography:
If a person takes a particular drug (or medicine) over some time, the drug may gradually become less effective as their body may respond less to it. This is known as drug tolerance. If this happens, it may be necessary either to increase the dose or change to another drug.
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treatment outcome:
A treatment outcome is your survival rate, ie how long you live and the quality of life you have during the period of treatment.
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tumor: (tew-mer)
An abnormal mass of tissue that results from excessive cell division. Tumors perform no useful body function. They may be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). A new or abnormal growth of tissue in or on the body. A tumour may be benign (not a cancer) or malignant (a cancer). The term 'neoplasm' usually describes malignant tumours. tumour marker: A substance which, if found in the body, suggests that there may be a tumour present.
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ultrasound:
A test that bounces sound waves off tissues and internal organs and changes the echoes into pictures (sonograms). Sound waves of a very high frequency, higher than the human ear can hear. Ultrasound can be used to examine structures within the body by using an ultrasound scan. If ultrasound is directed at the body, it is reflected back differently by different types of tissue. In an ultrasound scan, these differences are measured and used to build up pictures of structures inside the body. Ultrasound scans are useful in diagnosing cancer.
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upper GI series:
A series of x-rays of the upper digestive (gastrointestinal, or GI) system that are taken after a person drinks a barium solution, which outlines the digestive organs on the x-rays.
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x-ray:
High-energy radiation used in low doses to diagnose diseases and in high doses to treat cancer. Rays or radiation of extremely short wave length (shorter than ultraviolet radiation). X-rays can penetrate matter that light cannot, so x-ray cameras can be used to see structures inside the body that are not normally visible. This is widely used in diagnosis. Exposure to x-rays must be carefully controlled, as they are harmful to living cells. This, however, also makes them useful in treating cancer, where they are used in larger quantities to destroy cancer cells within the body (see radiotherapy).
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