Cancer : Terminologies used in the treatment of cancer

cancer


 Different types of cancer can have different symptoms, diagnostic tests, and treatment options. As a result, there are many terminologies and phrases that are wont to describe the sort, symptoms, and diagnosis of cancer and treatment methods. 

It’s often very confusing also as frustrating for the readers if too many medical jargon or terminologies are utilized in describing this condition. It’s difficult for readers to know the context of the subject or take any action, if required, after reading an article or book on cancers. As a result, knowledge is usually misinterpreted or not fully understood or comprehended.

I might wish to explain in very simple terms all phrases and terminologies utilized in describing cancer. This may help readers in understanding the cancer terms, sorts of cancer, common diagnosis and treatment terminologies, and therefore the health personnel involved in the management of cancer. These are described in alphabetical order here.

Ablation: removal or destruction of part or tissue. Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) therapy involves destroying cancer tissue with heat. RFA is usually utilized in the treatment of lung, liver, and kidney tumors.

Adenocarcinoma: Cancer that begins from the lining of internal organs or from the skin

Adenoma: a non-cancer tumor that starts from glands

Adenopathy: swollen glands

Adjunct or adjunctive therapy: another treatment used alongside primary treatment. for instance, radiotherapy is usually given after surgery to treat cancer as an adjunctive treatment.

Anal: of the anus, anal cancer

Anorexia: an abnormal loss of appetite for food.

Asbestos: a gaggle of minerals that are found within the sort of tiny fibers. it's used as insulation against heat and fire in buildings. Asbestos dust when breathed into the lungs can cause cancer of lungs and mesothelioma.

Asthenia: feeling or weakness or lack of energy. this is often common in late-stage cancer.

Astrocyte: this is often a kind of cell within the brain or medulla spinalis. Astrocytoma may be a tumor that begins in astrocytes.

Asymptomatic: having no signs or symptoms of the disease. Most cancers are asymptomatic within the early stages.

Axillary lymph gland dissection: removal of lymph nodes within the axilla. this might be wiped out the treatment of carcinoma.

B-cell lymphoma: a kind of cancer that forms in B cells.

Barrett esophagus: this is often a condition where the cells lining the lower a part of the esophagus have changed or been replaced by abnormal cells that would cause cancer of the esophagus. The regurgitation of the contents of the stomach into the esophagus over time can cause Barrett esophagus.

Basal cells: they're small round cells found within the lower a part of the epidermis. Cancer that begins within the basal cells is named basal cell cancer or basal cell carcinoma.

Benign: Not cancerous, also called non-malignant. the malignant neoplasm may be a cancerous growth. For example, a fibroadenoma may be a benign tumor of the breast whereas adenocarcinoma may be a malignant neoplasm of the breast.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia: this is often a non-cancerous condition of the prostate where there's an overgrowth of prostate tissue.

Biological therapy: this is often a kind of treatment that uses substances made up of living organisms or its products to spice up or restore the power of the system to fight cancer. samples of biological agents include vaccines, interleukins, and monoclonal antibodies.

Biopsy: The removal of cells or tissues from cancer or suspected cancer area for examination by a pathologist. this is often the foremost sure way of diagnosing cancer.

Bone marrow ablation: this is often a procedure that's wont to destroy bone marrow using radiation or high doses of anticancer drugs. it's done before a bone marrow or blood somatic cell transplant to kill cancer cells and bone marrow cells. this is often a neighborhood of intensive treatment of some leukemias.

Bone marrow aspiration: this is often a procedure during which a little sample of bone marrow is removed with a good needle and syringe and sent to the laboratory to see for cancer cells. If a little sample of bone with bone marrow inside it's removed, it's called a bone marrow biopsy.

Bone marrow transplantation: A procedure that's wont to replace bone marrow that has been destroyed by treatment with high doses of anticancer drugs or radiation.

Bone metastasis: cancer that has spread to bone from the first (primary) site.

Brachytherapy: it's also called internal radiotherapy. during this sort of radiotherapy, radioactive materials sealed in needles, seeds, catheters, or wires are placed directly into or near a tumor.

BRCA1 and BRCA2: these are genes on chromosomes 17 and 13 respectively. an individual who is born with changes (mutations) in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes has a higher risk of getting breast, ovaries, and prostatic adenocarcinoma.

Breast reconstruction: a surgery that's done to rebuild the form of the breast after removing the breast.

Breast self-examination: a lady examines her breasts to see for lumps or other changes.

Bronchogenic carcinoma: cancer that begins within the tissue that lines or covers the airways of the lungs.

Cancer antigen 125 or CA-125: a substance which will be found in high amounts within the blood of patients with certain sorts of cancer, including ovarian cancer.

Cachexia: loss of muscle mass and weight. Cachexia is seen in patients in late-stage cancer.

Cancer: This is often a condition where there's an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells.

Carcinogen: Any substance that causes cancer, for instance, tobacco smoke contains quite 50 carcinogens. Benzene may be a carcinogen for leukemias.

Carcinogenesis: it's a process whereby normal cells start becoming cancer cells.

Carcinoma: it's cancer that begins within the skin or in tissues that line the interior organs of the body. for instance epithelial cell carcinoma of the skin or adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder.

Carcinoma in situ: these are abnormal cells (not cancer) but can become cancer cells and spread. they're also said to be in stage 0 of cancer, for instance, cervical carcinoma in place.

Carcinoma of unknown primary (cup): during this sort of cancer, cancer cells are found in some parts of the body, but the place where the cancer cells first began to grow can't be determined.

Cervical: of the cervix, cervical cancer

Colostomy: colostomy is an operation that connects the colon to the surface of the body through the wall.

Cryosurgery: This is often a procedure during which tissue is frozen to destroy abnormal cells. nitrogen or liquid CO2 is employed to freeze the tissues. it's also called cryotherapy or cryosurgical ablation.

Cyst: a sac within the body; cysts within the ovary are quite common.

Cytotoxic drugs: drugs that kill cells.

Dilatation and curettage (D&C): this is often a procedure where some tissues are far away from the liner of the uterus or cervix. The cervix is first made larger (dilated) with an instrument called a dilator and another instrument called a curette is inserted into the uterus to get rid of the tissue. The removed tissue sample could also be sent to a laboratory to see for abnormal or cancer cells.

Debulking: this is often the surgical removal of the maximum amount of a tumor as possible. this sort of operation is typically done to alleviate symptoms of cancer within the late stages of the disease.

Dermal: of skin

Duodenal: of duodenum, duodenal cancer

Dysplastic nevi: it's also called atypical moles and have a bent to become melanoma.

Endometrial: of endometrium, endometrial carcinoma

Esophageal: of the esophagus, esophageal cancer

Euthanasia: the intentional killing of an individual to finish his/her sufferings. it's also called euthanasia.

Excision: removal by surgery, for instance, excision of melanoma from the skin.

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP): this is often an inherited condition during which many polyps form on the within walls of the colon and rectum. FAP increases the danger of colorectal cancers.

Familial atypical multiple mole melanoma syndromes (FAMMM): this is often an inherited condition that increases the danger of melanoma and carcinoma.

Familial cancer: cancers that occur in families more often than the general population, for instance, breast or colorectal cancer.

Fecal occult biopsy (FOBT): this is often a test to see for blood within the stool. this is often a screening test for bowel cancer.

Fibroadenoma: this is often a benign tumor of the breast.

Fibroid: a benign tumor that arises from smooth muscle, for instance, uterine fibroid.

First-degree relatives: this includes the oldsters, brothers, sisters, or children of a private.

Fistula: an abnormal opening or passage between two organs or between an organ and therefore the surface of the body.

Follow-up: monitoring an individual's health condition over time after treatment.

Gardasil: This is often a vaccine to stop infections by human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16, 18, 6, and 11. it's wont to prevent cervical, vulvar, and vaginal cancers caused by these viruses.

Gastrectomy: an operation to get rid of all or a part of the stomach.

Gastric: of the stomach, gastric cancer

Gastric feeding tube: a tube that's inserted through the nose, down the throat and esophagus, and into the stomach to offer liquid foods, liquids, and medicines. Feeding tubes are often inserted in patients who have mouth, throat, neck, and esophageal cancers, particularly when the surgery is extensive or combined with radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

Gastrotomy or PEG tube: this sort of tube is inserted directly into the stomach through a gap within the skin and wall. this sort of tube is often used for long-term feeding.

Gene: genes are pieces of DNA and contain the knowledge for creating a selected protein that's passed from parent to offspring. Genetic means associated with genes.

Genetic counselor: a health care provider trained in counseling on the genetic risk of diseases. this might involve discussing the person's personal and family medical record and should cause genetic testing.

Genetic testing: this is often analyzing DNA to seem for genetic change (mutation) which will indicate increased risk for cancer.

Genital warts: these are raised growths within the genital areas caused by human papillomavirus HPV) infection.

Germ cells: these are reproductive cells of the body and include egg cells in women and sperm cells in men. Tumors that arise from reproductive cell s are called germ cell tumors.

Gleason score: this is often a system of grading prostatic adenocarcinoma tissue supported how it's under a microscope. Gleason scores range from 2 to 10 and indicate how likely it's that a tumor will spread. a coffee Gleason score means the cancer tissue is a smaller amount likely to spread whereas a high Gleason score means the cancer tissue is more likely to spread.

Hematuria: blood within the urine.

Hemoptysis: coughing out blood from the tract.

Hemorrhoid: swollen vessel, usually seen within the anus or the rectum

Hepatic: of the liver, hepatic cancer

Hepatoblastoma: it's a kind of cancer of the liver more common in infants and youngsters.

Hepatocellular carcinoma: this is often the foremost common sort of cancer of the liver.

Hereditary nonpolyposis carcinoma (HNPCC): this is often a genetic disease during which the affected individuals have a higher-than-normal chance of developing colorectal cancer.

High intensity focused ultrasound: (HIFU): this is often a procedure during which high-energy sound waves are aimed directly at cancer or abnormal cells. These waves create heat and kill the abnormal or cancer cells. Some sorts of prostate cancers are treated with HIFU.

Histology: the study of cells and tissues under a microscope.

History: the signs and symptoms the patient may have for a specific disease

Hysterectomy: an operation where the uterus and/or cervix are removed. When both uterus and therefore the cervix is removed, it's called a complete hysterectomy. When only the uterus is removed, it's called a partial hysterectomy.

Immunotherapy: a treatment that reinforces the body's system to fight cancer, for instance, immunotherapy of bladder cancer with BCG vaccine.

Implant: a substance or object that's put within the body as a prosthesis, for instance, implant after removal of breast for cancer.

Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT): this is often a kind of radiotherapy that uses computer-generated images to point out the dimensions and shape of the tumor and direct thin beams of radiation at the tumor from different angles. this sort of radiotherapy reduces the damage to healthy tissue near the tumor.

In situ: means 'in its original place'. Carcinoma in place means the abnormal cells are found only within the place they were first formed and haven't spread nearby.

Incidence of cancer: the number of latest cases of cancer diagnosed annually.

Incision: a cut made within the body by a surgeon to perform surgery.

Induction therapy: this is often the initial treatment given to scale back cancer, for instance, induction therapy for acute chronic myelocytic leukemia.

Intrathecal chemotherapy: treatment during which anticancer drugs are injected into the fluid-filled space between the tissue that covers the brain and medulla spinalis.

Intravenous (IV) chemotherapy: treatment during which anticancer drugs are injected into a vein through a cannula.

Labial: of lip

Laryngeal: of the larynx, laryngeal cancer

Laser surgery: a surgery that uses intense, narrow beams of sunshine to chop and destroy cancer tissue.

Leukemia: cancer that starts in blood-forming tissues like bone marrow.

Lymphedema: a condition where extra lymph fluid builds up in tissues and causes swelling. this will be seen within the arm after breast operations.

Malignant: means cancerous. Malignancy is that the term wont to describe malignant cells that invade and destroy tissues.

Mass: a lump. It is often a benign mass or malignant mass.

Mastectomy: Removal of the breast.

Medical oncologist: a doctor who focuses on diagnosing and treating cancer using chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, biological therapy, and targeted therapy.

Mesothelioma: cancer arising from the mesothelial lining of the pleura (covering of lung)

Melanoma: cancer that begins in melanocytes. A common site is that the skin but also can occur within the eyes.

Metastasis: the spread of cancer from one a part of the body to a different. Cancer that's formed by cells that have spread from the original site is named metastatic cancer or malignant tumor.

Mucosal: of mucosa, mucosal lining of vagina

Mutate: means 'to change'. Mutation means a change in the DNA of a cell.

Nasal: of the nose, nasal polyp

Neoplasia: it's abnormal and uncontrolled cell growth.

Neoplasm: it's an abnormal mass of tissue. Neoplasms are often benign or malignant (cancer).

Nodule: it's a growth or lump or mass which will be benign or malignant.

Oncogene: this is often a changed or mutated gene and should cause the growth of cancer cells.

Oncology: the study of cancer

Oncologist: a doctor who focuses on treating cancer.

Oral: of mouth, carcinoma

Ovarian: of the ovary, ovarian cancer

Palliative therapy or treatment: this is often the treatment given to alleviate the symptoms and reduce the suffering of cancer patients. Palliative care aims to enhance the standard of lifetime of patients.

Pancreatic: of pancreas, carcinoma

Pharyngeal: of the pharynx, pharyngeal cancer

PAP test: this is often a procedure during which cells are scraped from the cervix and examined under a microscope. This test is completed to detect cancer or to detect changes within the cervix which will cause cancer.

Partial: not whole, partly, for instance, partial gastrectomy which suggests a part of the stomach is removed.

Penectomy: surgery to get rid of part or the whole penis

Penile: of the penis, penile cancer

Plastic surgery: a surgery that improves the looks of body structures. The one that does cosmetic surgery is named cosmetic surgeon. Plastic surgeons are involved in many reconstruction surgeries of breast, vagina, or face after cancer treatment.

Polyps: these are small growths that arise from the mucosa of the colon and rectum.

Precancerous (premalignant) may be a condition that will become cancer later.

Proctoscopy: an examination of the rectum employing a proctoscope, inserted into the rectum.

Prognosis: the likely outcome of cancer. The prognosis of most cancers in the advanced stage is poor.

Prophylactic surgery: this is often a surgery to get rid of a part of a body or organ with no signs of cancer but in an effort to stop the development of cancer therein organ in the future. for instance, prophylactic mastectomy or prophylactic removal of ovaries is sometimes done.

Prostatic: of prostate, prostatic cancer

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA): this is often a protein produced by the prostate. the extent of PSA in blood could also be increased in men who have prostatic adenocarcinoma or an enlarged prostate.

Pulmonary: of lung

Radiation oncologist: a doctor who focuses on using radiation to treat cancer.

Radiation physicist: an individual who makes sure that the radiation machine delivers the proper amount of radiation to the right site within the body.

Radiation therapist: a health care provider who gives radiation treatment.

Radiofrequency ablation: a procedure that uses radio waves to heat and destroys abnormal and cancer cells.

Recurrent cancer: Cancer that has come after treatment or after being undetectable for a period of your time. The cancer is claimed to possess recurred.

Refractory cancer or resistant cancer: cancer that doesn't answer treatment.

Regimen: it's a treatment plant where the dosage, the schedule, and therefore the duration of treatment is specified.

Relative survival rate: it's an estimated number that compares the probabilities that an individual with cancer will survive after the diagnosis or treatment of cancer with those that don't have cancer. it's usually calculated in terms of two, 5, or 10 years. for instance, the 5-year relative survival rate for colorectal cancer in America, if detected and treated early, is 90%.

Remission: this suggests the disappearance of or decreases in signs and symptoms of cancer. A cancer is claimed to be incomplete remission when there are not any signs and symptoms of cancer; it's in partial remission if some signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared.

Renal: of the kidney, renal cancer

Resection: removal of part or all of an organ.

Risk factor: a risk factor are some things that increase the prospect of developing cancer. for instance, smoking may be a risk factor for several cancers.

Screening: checking for diseases when there are not any symptoms of cancer. samples of cancer screening tests include PAP tests, mammogram, and colonoscopy.

Sentinel lymph gland: it's the first lymph node to which cancer is probably going to spread from the primary tumor.

Staging of cancer: this is often doing examinations and tests to seek out out the extent of cancer within the body and also whether cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Staging cancer helps to offer the best treatment to the patient.

Stem cell: a cell from which other sorts of cells develop. for instance, red blood cells develop from blood-forming stem cells.

Stent: it's a tool that's placed during a structure to stay it open. for instance, a stent could also be inserted within the common bile duct if it's blocked by cancer of the gallbladder.

Stoma: this is often a gap made surgically from a neighborhood inside the body to the surface. for instance, colostomy features a stoma within the wall.

Surgical menopause: a lady stops to possess a menstrual period following the removal of her ovaries. this is often seen in operations on cancers of ovaries or uterus.

Surgical oncologist: a doctor who performs surgical procedures in cancer patients.

Systemic chemotherapy: treatment of cancer with chemotherapy drugs that travel through the bloodstream and reach cells everywhere the body.

Targeted therapy: a kind of cancer treatment that uses drugs or other substances to spot and attack specific cancer cells.

Testicular: of testis, seminoma

Thermotherapy: treatment of disease using heat.

Topical treatment: medicines that are applied on the surface of the body, for instance, Aldara cream is applied topically on the skin to treat basal cell cancer.

Ulcer: This is often an opportunity on the skin or within the lining of an organ. for instance, an ulcer on the face could also be a symbol of basal cell carcinoma.

Urethral: of the urethra, urethral discharge

Uterine: of the uterus, uterine cancer

Urologic oncologist: a doctor who focuses on treating cancers of the urogenital system.

Vaginal of the vagina, vaginal cancer

Visceral: of the viscera, viscera mean internal organs. Visceral pain is pain coming

Vulval or vulvar: of vulva, vulval pr vulvar cancer

Wart: a raised growth on the surface of the skin or other organs.

Watchful waiting: This involves closely watching a patient's condition but not giving any active treatment. this is often utilized in certain cancers like prostate or myeloma where cancer progresses very slowly.

Wedge resection: this is often a surgery where a triangular piece of tissue is removed so as to treat cancer.

Hope this information is going to be useful for you. Cancer is a very fatal disease. many discoveries and research are going on at present time in order to find the root cause of this disease and its treatment. Among the various types of cancer nowadays breast cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer, blood cancer, uterine cancer, skin cancer are commonly seen in the people. The main cause of such types of cancer may be the present unhealthy environment.

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