• Refers to the part of the body where the stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, gallbladder and other organs are located.
  • The surgical removal or destruction of bodily tissues.
  • Not normal, unusual, different.
  • The combination of chemotherapy drugs commonly used to treat Hodgkin Lymphoma. It consists of adriamycin (A), bleomycin (B), vinblastine (V), and dacarbazine (D).
  • Acquired secondary resistance occurs when patients initially respond well to targeted therapy and the tumor begins to shrink, and then the tumor becomes resistant to the drug and the therapy stops working.
  • A condition in which excessive amounts of growth hormone in the body cause certain parts of the body to grow larger than normal.
  • A technique in which needles are inserted at certain points on the body in order to relieve pain.
  • A type of cancer that starts in the glandular cells that line internal organs and secrete mucus and other fluids.
  • A non-cancerous tumor that begins in glandular cells in epithelial tissue.
  • Additional cancer treatments given after primary treatment to reduce the risk of the cancer returning.
  • A gland that produces steroid hormones such as cortisol, aldosterone, and androgens. These hormones help regulate energy metabolism, blood pressure, cardiovascular function, and stress. There are two adrenal glands in the body. One gland is located on top of each kidney.
  • The adrenal glands are small glands located on top of each kidney. The adrenal glands are part of the body's endocrine system, and produce various hormones that control bodily functions.
  • A legal document that outlines the treatment a person wishes to receive should they become unable to make decisions due to medical complications.
  • Cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and is very difficult to treat and cure.
  • AFP is a protein made in the fetus of a developing baby, and AFP levels decrease after birth. Elevated AFP levels may indicate the presence of a germ cell tumor or liver cancer.
  • Describes a cancer that develops and spreads rapidly.
  • Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. This is a disease of the immune system that is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
  • A stem cell transplant in which the healthy stem cells come from a donor.
  • Hair loss or lack of hair from areas of the body where hair is normally located. Alopecia may be a side effect of certain cancer treatments.
  • The surgical removal of a body part such as a limb.
  • Refers to cancer cells that look very different from normal cells and are usually very aggressive.
  • A hormone that plays a role in the development of male sex characteristics.
  • A condition in which your body does not make enough healthy red blood cells. A low red blood cell count may cause weakness, fatigue and pallor.
  • The use of drugs to make a person lose consciousness or feeling. Anesthesia is used to prevent a patient from feeling pain during surgery or another procedure.
  • The process by which tumors create new blood vessels to deliver the nutrients that they need to grow. The tumors release certain chemicals to trigger this process.
  • A drug used to treat bacterial infections.
  • Proteins produced by plasma cells in response to antigens. Antibodies help the body fight antigens, either by destroying the antigens directly, or making it easier for the body's immune system to fight the antigens.
  • A protein produced by a plasma cell in response to an antigen. Antibodies help the body fight antigens, either by destroying the antigens directly, or making it easier for the body's immune system to fight the antigens.
  • Treatment with man-made proteins that bind to certain substances on the surface of cancer cells to help the immune system fight the disease.
  • A substance that causes the body's immune system to produce antibodies to fight it.
  • The dark-colored skin around the nipple.
  • a poisonous substance used to kill pests and weeds. Exposure to arsenic may increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer.
  • Showing no signs of disease.
  • An inherited childhood disease that weakens the immune system and causes a loss of muscle control. This disease is progressive and degenerative, and can increase the risk for developing certain types of cancer.
  • not normal.
  • Hyperplasia is an overgrowth of the cells in the breast. Hyperplasia may be “usual” or “atypical”. In usual hyperplasia, the excess cells look normal under a microscope. In atypical hyperplasia, the excess cells look abnormal. Women with atypical hyperplasia should monitor their condition closely with routine mammograms and clinical breast examinations.
  • A dysplastic nevus is a mole that looks different than most moles (i.e. size, shape, color, texture) and is more likely to turn into cancer. People with AMS have a large number of dysplastic nevi.
  • A stem cell transplantation in which stem cells are collected, stored, and then given back to the same person. In an allogeneic transplant, stem cells are collected from a compatible donor.
  • The surgeon removes anywhere from 10 to 40 lymph nodes from the underarm area. This is necessary in some, but not all cases when cancer has been found in the axillary lymph nodes.
  • B lymphocytes grow into plasma cells, which produce antibodies to fight infection
  • Cancer that starts in basal cells, the round cells in the lower part of the epidermis.
  • An intense combination of chemotherapy drugs used to treat more aggressive forms of Hodgkin Lymphoma. It consists of bleomycin (B), etoposide phosphate (E), doxorubicin hydrochloride (A), cyclophosphamide (C), vincristine sulfate (O), procarbazine hydrochloride (P), and prednisone (P).
  • A rare syndrome in which babies are very large at birth, and may have an enlarged internal organs and other abnormalities. This syndrome may increase a child's risk for certain types of cancer.
  • Non-cancerous. Benign tumors can grow, but do not spread to nearby tissue and other parts of the body.
  • A protein found in nearly all cells that can be used as a marker of cell reproduction.
  • The tube that transports bile between the liver, gallbladder, and intestines. Bile is produced in the liver and helps the body digest fat.
  • A substance created by the break-down of red blood cells. Bilirubin is partly made of bile.
  • A procedure in which a tissue sample is removed from the body and examined under a microscope by a pathologist. A biopsy is the only way to be certain of a cancer diagnosis.
  • An inherited syndrome that causes benign tumors to form in hair follicles. This syndrome may increase the risk for developing certain types of cancer.
  • Bisphosphonates inhibit the function of osteoclasts, which are cells that break down bone. Bisphosphonates are used to treat bone pain complications of certain types of cancer.
  • Immature blood cell.
  • A measure of the level of urea in the blood. Urea is a waste product produced when the body breaks down and digests protein.
  • A rare, inherited syndrome caused by DNA mutations in a certain gene that plays a role in copying and repairing DNA. This syndrome may cause below-average height, a narrow face, rashes and redness, fertility problems, and a high-pitched voice.
  • Describes the amount of minerals in a certain amount of bone.
  • The soft, spongy tissue inside of bones where blood cells are produced.
  • This gene makes a protein called B-RAF, which is involved in signaling cell growth. A mutation in this gene may cause cancer cells to grow and spread more aggressively.
  • A gene on chromosome 17 that helps slow down cell growth. Mutations in this gene may increase the risk for developing certain types of cancer.
  • A gene on chromosome 13 that helps slow down cell growth. Mutations in this gene may increase the risk for developing certain types of cancer.
  • Breast-conserving surgery may be referred to as a partial mastectomy, segmental mastectomy or lumpectomy. The surgeon removes only the breast tumor and a surrounding margin of healthy tissue.
  • A large tube that leads from the windpipe to a lung. There are two bronchi.
  • A network of tissue and blood-vessels that helps keep harmful substances out of the brain. The blood-brain barrier allows oxygen, water, carbon dioxide, and other substances to reach the brain, but keeps out harmful substances such as bacteria.
  • Also known as blood urea nitrogen. Bun is a measure of the level of urea in the blood. Urea is a waste product produced when the body breaks down and digests protein.
  • c-kit is a gene that contains information about how to make the KIT protein, which binds to stem cell factors and causes some types blood cells to grow. This protein is found on the surface of many different cells, but may be found in increased amounts on some cancer cells, including melanoma cells and GIST tumor cells.
  • A protein normally found on epithelial cells. This protein is a tumor marker and may be found in elevated levels in people with breast cancer and some other types of cancer.
  • A hormone that regulates the levels of calcium in the body. It is produced by the C cells in the thyroid gland.
  • The smallest type of blood vessel. A capillary wall is very thin and allows fluids and gases to pass between the blood and body tissues.
  • A waste product produced by the body. Carbon dioxide is carried from the body's tissues to the lungs, where it is exhaled.
  • Refers to anything that can cause cancer.
  • Cancer that starts in the tissue on the surfaces of the skin and internal organs.
  • Abnormal, but non-cancerous cells that remain in their original location and do not spread. These cells may eventually become invasive cancer.
  • A tumor that has a combination of carcinoma cells and sarcoma cells.
  • The main arteries that carry blood from the heart to the head. There are two carotid arteries, one on each side of the head.
  • A condition that causes the lens of the eye to become cloudy. Cataracts may lead to blurry vision, cloudy vision, double vision, light sensitivity, and decreased night vision. Cataracts mainly affect the elderly.
  • A flexible tube used to deliver fluids into the body and remove fluids from the body.
  • commonly used to refer to human beings with light skin pigmentation, of European descent.
  • A tumor marker for colon cancer and some other types of cancer. CEA may be found in elevated levels in people with these types of cancer.
  • A fluid found in the hollow spaces in the brain (ventricles), spinal cord, and meninges. It is produced in the ventricles by the choroid plexus.
  • The cervix is the lower, narrower section of the uterus that attaches the upper part of the uterus to the vagina. The cervix makes mucus that helps sperm find its way into the uterus during sex, and closes tightly during pregnancy to keep the baby in the uterus.
  • Chemoembolization involves inserting a small catheter into the artery leading to the tumor and injecting small particles and chemotherapy drugs into the bloodstream. The chemotherapy drugs attack the cancer cells directly and the small particles block the flow of blood in order to keep the drug inside the tumor for a longer period of time.
  • The combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
  • Chemotherapy kills cancer cells with drugs that are injected into the veins or taken orally.
  • The part of a cell that holds genetic information.
  • Refers to a long-lasting condition or disease that can be treated but not cured. A chronic disease stays in the body or gets worse for a long period of time.
  • Type of cell that appears clear under a microscope.
  • A preventative treatment in which chemotherapy or radiation therapy is given to the brain and spinal cord to destroy any cancer cells that may be there, even if no cancer has been found in these locations.
  • A preventative treatment in which chemotherapy or radiation therapy is given to the brain and spinal cord to destroy any cancer cells that may be there, even if no cancer has been found in these locations.
  • Treatment to create an opening in the abdominal wall to allow waste to exit the body after the colon is removed.
  • The way in which parts are put together or combined to form a whole.
  • squeezed
  • A condition present at birth.
  • An inherited condition characterized by a low level of neutrophils, which are a specific type of white blood cell that fights bacteria and infection.
  • The state of being joined or combined.
  • Tissue that supports the body's internal organs and structures.
  • A steroid hormone produced by the outer layer of the adrenal gland (adrenal cortex). Cortisol helps regulate the body's use of glucose, fats, and protein.
  • A genetic disease in which the patient experiences developmental problems such as mental retardation, heart problems, and unusual facial features. This disease increases the risk for certain types of cancer.
  • A waste product produced by normal muscle function and the digestion of meat protein.
  • Treatment in which tissue is frozen with nitrogen or liquid carbon dioxide in order to kill abnormal cells.
  • Surgery to remove all cancerous tissue in an attempt to cure the disease.
  • Characterized by, having, or containing cysts.
  • A condition in which there is not enough water in the body.
  • Dense breast tissue is less fatty and more glandular, and appears white on X-Rays. Mammograms may fail to detect breast cancer in these women, as tumors often look similar to dense breast tissue on X-ray images. Dense breast tissue located near a tumor can reduce visibility of the tumor, causing it to be hidden on the mammogram.
  • A rare syndrome that may cause Wilms' tumor, abnormal sexual organs, and kidney dysfunction.
  • A skin doctor.
  • A drug used from the 1940s to the 1960s to prevent miscarriage.
  • A disease marked by abnormal insulin production and usage. This prevents the body from properly controlling glucose levels and causes the body to produce large amounts of urine.
  • A treatment given to filter the blood when the kidneys are not able to.
  • A thin muscle in between the chest and the abdomen. It is located beneath the lungs and heart and plays an important role in breathing and other bodily functions.
  • Dilated cardiomyopathy is a condition in which the heart muscle becomes thinner and weaker and the chambers become enlarged, and the weakened heart walls can not pump blood to the body effectively.
  • Also known as deoxyribonucleic acid. DNA is the part of a cell that carries genetic information and passes it on to the next generation.
  • A system responsible for repairing DNA mismatches that occur during DNA replication.
  • A syndrome caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21. This syndrome may cause mental retardation and other developmental problems.
  • A vessel in the body that fluids can pass through. For examples, the breasts contain milk ducts that transport fluids throughout the breasts.
  • Non-cancerous cells that look abnormal under a microscope.
  • EBV is a lifelong infection that causes mononucleosis (mono) and then remains dormant in the cells of your throat and immune system. This virus may increase the risk of developing certain cancers.
  • The discharge of semen from the penis during orgasm.
  • Refers to the parts of the brain that control speech, motor functions, senses, etc.
  • The part of the pancreas that produces hormones that are secreted into the blood and help control blood sugar.
  • Treatment that adds, blocks, or removes hormones to slow or stop the growth of certain cancers.
  • Uterine Cancer. Cancer that starts in the lining of the uterus.
  • The process of joining together, attaching, or fastening by grafting.
  • A protein that accelerates chemical reactions.
  • Pumps are commonly used to provide relief from more widespread or chronic pain. In this procedure, your doctor implants a pump in or around your spinal cord. The pump disrupts pain signals to your brain by delivering medication to your nerves.
  • Cells that line the surface of the body.
  • EBV is a lifelong infection that causes mononucleosis (mono) and then remains dormant in the cells of your throat and immune system. This virus may increase the risk of developing certain cancers.
  • During ERCP, a dye is injected through the skin into the bile and pancreatic ducts. A special x-ray machine will determine if this dye is flowing freely through the ducts. If not, the x-ray pictures can show whether the blockage is caused by a tumor or another condition. At this time, your doctor can insert a small draining tube called a catheter to help with drainage of the bile if necessary.
  • A hormone that helps the body develop and maintain female sex characteristics. Estrogen also plays a role in the growth of long bones.
  • A protein normally found in the cells of the female reproductive organs. Estrogen binds to these receptors and causes the cells to grow.
  • Cells that contain estrogen receptor proteins are called estrogen-receptor positive. Estrogen may cause cancer cells that are estrogen-receptor positive to grow more aggressively.
  • Treatment to keep the body from producing estrogen. Estrogen therapy may help slow the growth of certain types of cancer that are more aggressive in the presence of estrogen.
  • The part of the pancreas that produces enzymes that are secreted into the digestive system and help digest food.
  • The fallopian tubes are two tubes that carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus about once a month.
  • FAP is a rare condition that can cause thousands of polyps to form in the colon or rectum. It is caused by a mutation in the APC gene. FAP increases the risk for colorectal cancer.
  • A rare disease that causes low levels of platelets and abnormal platelet function. People with this condition and more likely to develop AML.
  • A rare disorder that causes decreased blood cell production in the bone marrow. It mainly affects children between 2 and 15 years of age and increases the risk of developing certain types of cancer.
  • A lack of energy or extreme tiredness.
  • An unborn baby that grows inside the uterus.
  • Refers to the epithelial cells of the thyroid, which produce thyroid hormones.
  • A diuretic used to reduce the amount of water and salt in the body
  • The organ below the liver where bile is stored.
  • A drug that lowers the level of calcium in the blood.
  • The junction where the esophagus meets the stomach.
  • A condition in which the valve between the esophagus and stomach (Lower Esophageal Sphincter) does not close properly, allowing stomach acid to flow up into the esophagus.
  • Gastrointestinal stromal tumors or GIST are a form of mesenchymal tumor that starts in the connective tissues of the wall of the digestive tract. GISTs may form in the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, liver, or gallbladder, but most form in the stomach or small intestine. GIST tumors develop in cells called interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), which control the muscles of the GI tract and help you digest food. GIST tumors may be benign or malignant.
  • A piece of DNA passed from parent to child. Genes contain information on how to make a specific protein.
  • Refers to genes. A gene is a piece of DNA passed from parent to child that contains information on how to make proteins that control how our cells behave. Changes, such as mutations in the genes or an alteration in the number of genes, can cause cells to make too many proteins or cause proteins to not function properly. These proteins can cause normal cells to grow out of control and become cancerous.
  • A DNA change that may increase a person's risk for developing a certain disease
  • A change in the DNA of a cell. Some mutations may lead to cancer or other conditions.
  • The testing of a person's DNA in order to find genetic mutations that may increase the risk of developing a type of cancer.
  • Reproductive cells.
  • Refers to the stomach and intestines.
  • relating to or having the characteristics of a gland.
  • A condition that causes fluid to build up in the eye, putting pressure on the retina and optic nerve.
  • A type of sugar that is the main energy source for cells in the body.
  • A genetic disease that causes abnormalities of the face, skin, bones, nervous system, endocrine system, and eyes. This syndrome may increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer.
  • A procedure in which tissue is moved from one part of the body to another. The tissue that is being transplanted is called a "graft".
  • A type of white blood cell that contains small particles called granules. Granulocytes help the body fight infections and allergic reactions.
  • Proteins involved in cell growth and survival.
  • A condition in which the transplanted stem cells and immune cells see your body as foreign and attack it. It may cause rashes, blisters, jaundice, dry mouth, dry eyes, or other more serious symptoms.
  • To gather or collect.
  • Also known as hepatitis B virus, this virus causes hepatitis (inflammation of the liver). It is carried and transmitted through the blood and other bodily fluids. Long-term infection with the virus may lead to cirrhosis of the liver and increase the risk for certain types of cancer.
  • Also known as hepatitis C virus, this virus causes hepatitis (inflammation of the liver). It is carried and transmitted through the blood and other bodily fluids. Long-term infection with the virus may lead to cirrhosis of the liver and increase the risk for certain types of cancer.
  • H. pylori is a form of bacteria that can infect the inner lining of the stomach, causing ulcers and inflammation. This infection increases the risk of developing stomach cancer.
  • A condition in which one side of the body is bigger than the other side. This condition may increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer.
  • Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen throughout your body.
  • Also known as hepatitis C virus, this virus causes hepatitis (inflammation of the liver). It is carried and transmitted through the blood and other bodily fluids. Long-term infection with the virus may lead to cirrhosis of the liver and increase the risk for certain types of cancer.
  • Describes cancer cells that have too much of a protein called HER2 on their surface, the cells may grow more quickly and be more likely to spread to other parts of the body.
  • HER2/neu is a protein that plays a role in normal cell growth and may be found in certain types of cancer cells, including breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
  • Describes the amount of HER2 proteins found on the surface of cancer cells. Cancer cells that have too much HER2 are called HER2 positive. Since HER2 plays a role in normal cell growth, having too much of it may cause certain types of cancer to grow more aggressively.
  • An inherited disease caused by mutations in the HNPCC gene. This disease may increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer as well as other types of cancer.
  • The study of cells under a microscope.
  • Human immunodeficiency virus. This is the virus that causes AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
  • Health Maintenance Organization. An organization that provides health coverage from various providers under contract.
  • Substances produced by the body that control the function of certain organs and cells.
  • Certain hormones can cause a cancer to grow more aggressively. Hormone therapy changes the levels of these hormones in a person's body in order to stop or slow cancer growth.
  • A cell that is infected by a virus or bacteria.
  • Human papillomavirus. This virus can cause cellular mutations that may lead to abnormal tissue growth. Certain types of HPV can cause cervical cancer and increase the risk for developing other types of cancer.
  • A virus that affects T-lymphocytes and is spread by sharing needles, sexual contact, and from mother to child during breast feeding.
  • Human immunodeficiency virus. This is the virus that causes AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
  • This virus can cause cellular mutations that may lead to abnormal tissue growth. Certain types of HPV can cause cervical cancer and increase the risk for developing other types of cancer.
  • The process of getting necessary water and bodily fluids
  • Hypercalcemia, or excess calcium in blood, is caused by cancer cells as they damage bones. Calcium is released into the blood and accumulates where the kidneys can no longer get rid of it. Hypercalcemia can cause thirst, constipation, frequent urination, nausea, confusion, and fatigue. More serious cases may cause coma, or kidney failure.
  • The presence of an abnormally large amount of cells.
  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a condition in which the heart muscle becomes thick and rigid, making it harder for the heart to fill with blood and pump blood to the rest of the body.
  • Hyperviscosity, or blood thickening, is caused by excess myeloma protein in the blood. This may cause confusion, dizziness, or stroke-like symptoms.
  • A disease of the bone marrow in which the bone marrow is replaced by abnormal fibrous tissue. As a result, blood cell production occurs within the liver and spleen. This is a serious condition and may cause anemia, an enlarged spleen, or an enlarged liver.
  • A procedure that creates images of the inside of the body.
  • A treatment that causes the body's immune system to develop a resistance to an infectious disease.
  • having a normal, healthy immune system
  • having an impaired or weakened immune system
  • A decrease in the ability of the immune system to fight infections and diseases.
  • Immunotherapy is a type of treatment that uses the body's own immune system to help it fight off cancer.
  • Cancer cells are contained in their original place and have not spread.
  • A type of metastasis that may occur in skin cancer. The cancer cells spread through a nearby lymph vessel and form a new tumor more than 2 cm away from the original tumor, but before they reach the closest lymph node.
  • Swelling, pain, and redness of a part of the body.
  • To administer or inject a solution into the body through a vein (intravenously).
  • Transmitted when genes are passed from parents to their children.
  • Difficulty sleeping.
  • A hormone produced in the pancreas that controls the amount of blood sugar in the body. Insulin causes the blood sugar to be absorbed by cells in the body, where it is converted into energy.
  • A substance that can improve the immune system's response to infections and other diseases. These substances are called biological response modifiers and can interfere with cancer growth.
  • In the eye.
  • In the peritoneal cavity.
  • In the pleural cavity.
  • Refers to infusing a drug or substance into the body through a needle inserted directly into a vein.
  • Refers to infusing a drug or substance into the body through a needle inserted directly into a vein.
  • Cancer that is not confined to the tissue in which it begins and grows into nearby tissues.
  • yellow coloring of the skin and eyes
  • Treatment that blocks kinase enzymes, which help control cell growth and division, in order to slow the growth of cancer.
  • A protein that binds to stem cell factors and causes some types blood cells to grow. c-kit is found on the surface of many different cells, but may be found in increased amounts on some cancer cells, including melanoma cells and GIST tumor cells.
  • A sex chromosome disorder in which males have extra X chromosomes. It may cause symptoms such as low testosterone, male breast growth, and shrunken testicles.
  • Surgery performed with a laparoscope, which is a thin, flexible tube with a camera, light, and surgical tool on the end. Laparoscopic surgery is less invasive than traditional surgery, and allows the doctor to operate through a small incision.
  • Treatment in which intense beams of light are used to destroy cancer cells.
  • An area of abnormal tissue.
  • Cancer that forms in your bone marrow, the soft, spongy tissue inside your bones where blood cells are produced. In leukemia, too many of your stem cells develop into abnormal blood cells.
  • A white blood cell. A type of blood cell that is part of the body's immune system and helps fight infections and diseases. Lymphocytes may be found in the blood and lymph tissue.
  • A condition in which your body does not make enough healthy leukocytes (white blood cells). A low white blood cell count may increase the risk for infection.
  • Malignant AML cells are bigger than healthy white blood cells and can clog your blood vessels, preventing your normal blood cells to travel throughout your body. Symptoms of leukostasis depend on the specific part of your body affected, and may include headache, dizziness, confusion, or weakness on one side of your body. Leukostasis may also cause shortness of breath or blurry vision if it affects your lungs or eyes.
  • An inherited condition caused by a mutation in the p53 tumor suppressor gene. This syndrome may increase the risk of developing certain cancers.
  • Cancer of the fat cells.
  • A type of advance directive that outlines specific treatment guidelines to follow should the patient become terminally ill and unable to make decisions. A living will often has instructions on whether or not to keep the person alive via a respirator, feeding tube, etc.
  • A small lobe or part of a lobe.
  • Describes cancer that is confined to a certain part of the body.
  • The surgeon removes only the breast tumor and a surrounding margin of healthy tissue.
  • A chronic disease in which the immune system attacks healthy tissue in the body. Lupus commonly causes inflammation in the joints and certain organs.
  • Small, oval–shaped, scattered bodies located throughout the lymphatic system that act as filters. Lymph fluid leaves the breast, going first into the lymph nodes and then back into the bloodstream. A function of the lymph nodes is to catch and trap cancer cells before they reach other parts of the body. Lymph nodes are found in the center of the chest, under the arms, in the neck, in the abdomen, and in the groin.
  • Small, oval–shaped, scattered bodies located throughout the lymphatic system that act as filters. Lymph fluid leaves the breast, going first into the lymph nodes and then back into the bloodstream. A function of the lymph nodes is to catch and trap cancer cells before they reach other parts of the body. Lymph nodes are found in the center of the chest, under the arms, in the neck, in the abdomen, and in the groin.
  • Also known as a lymphatic vessel. These are thin vessels that carry white blood cells and lymphatic fluid throughout the lymphatic system.
  • The organs and bodily tissues that make white blood cells, store them, and transport them throughout the body to fight diseases. The lymphatic system includes the lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels, bone marrow, spleen, and thymus.
  • A type of white blood cell that makes antibodies and helps control immune responses.
  • A type of white blood cell that makes antibodies and helps control immune responses.
  • Refers to white blood cells called lymphocytes and to the tissue in which lymphocytes develop, called lymphoid tissue.
  • Tissue of the lymphatic system. Lymphoid tissue may be found in lymph nodes, bone marrow, spleen, thymus, and digestive tract.
  • A type of cancer that begins in the lymph nodes and lymphatic system.
  • Also known as HNPCC. An inherited disease that increases a person's risk for developing colorectal cancer and certain other types of cancer.
  • An antibody found in elevated levels in multiple myeloma patients.
  • Cancerous. Malignant cells are invasive and can spread to nearby tissue and other parts of the body.
  • A condition in which the body does not get enough calories or key nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. This may be a side effect of cancer and cancer treatment.
  • A breast X-ray.
  • The outer border or edge of the tissue removed during cancer surgery. Positive margins mean cancer cells reach the edge of the tissue sample. Negative margins mean cancer cells do not reach the outer edge of the tissue. Close margins mean there is uncertainty about whether the margin is positive or negative.
  • Surgery to remove the entire breast and nearby tissue.
  • Surgery to remove the entire breast and nearby tissue.
  • The hard, outer part of the bones.
  • A government health insurance program for people who cannot afford medical care.
  • A government health insurance program for people over 65 years of age and people with certain disabilities.
  • Refers to a type of thyroid cancer that grows from C cells, which produce the hormone calcitonin.
  • The pigment that gives color to the skin and eyes, and helps protect them from ultraviolet radiation
  • Cancer that starts in pigment-producing cells called melanocytes. Pigment is the substance that gives your skin its color.
  • The period in a woman's life when menstrual cycles stop and the ovaries no longer make hormones.
  • The discharge of tissue and blood from the uterus that occurs about once a month from puberty until menopause, unless the woman is pregnant.
  • A tumor that starts in blood vessels, lymphatic tissue, or connective tissue.
  • Relating to metabolism, or all of the chemical processes that take place in an organism.
  • To spread to a different part of the body. The term metastatic describes a cancer that has spread from its original location (primary tumor) to different parts of the body or distant organs.
  • So small that it can only be seen under a microscope.
  • Minimal residual disease is a term used to describe a small number of cancer cells that may remain in the body during or after treatment (when patient is in remission). MRD is the main cause of relapse in leukemia patients.
  • Refers to a treatment in which the doctor makes fewer and smaller incisions.
  • Relating to cell division. Cancer cells have more mitotic activity than normal cells
  • A measure of how quickly cancer cells are dividing and multiplying. Mitotic rate is considered to help determine the stage of melanoma and other types of cancer.
  • A man-made protein that binds to certain substances on the surface of cancer cells to help the immune system fight the disease.
  • May refer to having a disease or symptoms caused by a disease. May also refer to medical complications caused by a treatment, or the prevalence of a disease in a population.
  • A condition in which the lining of the gastrointestinal tract becomes inflamed. Mucositis is a complication of certain cancer treatments.
  • refers to therapy that combines more than one type of treatment
  • MEN1 is an inherited genetic condition that causes tumors to develop in the pituitary gland, parathyroid gland, and pancreas.
  • A cancer that develops from normal blood plasma cells, a type of white blood cell often found in the bone marrow. In multiple myeloma, malignant plasma cells multiply in the bone marrow.
  • A change in the DNA of a cell. Some mutations may lead to cancer or other conditions.
  • A person who has a mutated copy of a gene, which may lead to cancer or another condition in that person or in his or her children.
  • A fatty substance that surrounds and protects nerves.
  • A disease in which your bone marrow does not produce enough healthy blood cells. Instead, your blood-forming stem cells develop into immature cells called blasts. These blasts do not function properly and eventually die in your bone marrow and bloodstream, crowding out your healthy blood cells and causing conditions like anemia (low red blood cells), leukopenia (low white blood cells), and thrombocytopenia (low platelets).
  • Refers to a type of stem cell found in the bone marrow.
  • The outer, muscular wall of the uterus.
  • Feeling sick to the stomach or feeling the need to vomit.
  • Cancer cells do not reach the edge of a removed tissue sample.
  • Cancer treatments given before primary treatment in order to shrink the tumor.
  • A condition in which some benign embryonic tissue remains in the kidney after birth.
  • Nerve blocks are commonly used to provide relief from acute pain. In this procedure, your doctor will inject an anesthetic (a drug that causes loss of sensation, such as pain) into the nerves in the part of your body experiencing pain or into your spinal cord. The anesthetic disrupts the pain signals from your body to your brain and provides temporary relief.
  • Also known as a neuron. These cells are found in the nervous system and help transmit information throughout the body with electrical signals.
  • Refers to the interaction between the nervous system and endocrine system.
  • A genetic disorder in which tumors, brown spots, and freckles form on the skin. It may also cause tumors to develop on the nerves, as well as developmental changes in the nervous system, bone, muscles, and skin.
  • A condition in which damage to the peripheral nervous system interrupts transmissions between the brain and the rest of the body. Peripheral neuropathy may cause pain, numbness, weakness, or tingling in the hands and feet. It may be caused by certain diseases and cancer treatments.
  • Groups of nerves and blood vessels.
  • A condition in which there are not enough neutrophils in the body. Neutrophils are a specific type of white blood cell that destroy bacteria and serve as your body’s primary defense against infection.
  • A specific type of white blood cell that destroy bacteria and serve as your body’s primary defense against infection.
  • NF1 is a gene that contains information about how to make the neurofibromin protein. Neurofibromin is a tumor suppressor protein that prevents cells from growing too aggressively. Mutations in the NF1 gene can cause a rare genetic condition called neurofibromatosis type 1.
  • A lump or growth.
  • A genetic disease in which the patient experiences problems such as unusual facial features, heart defects, and fertility problems.
  • refers to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and aspirin. These drugs help reduce fever, pain, swelling, and inflammation.
  • A layer of fatty tissue around the stomach. The omentum is a fold in the peritoneum, which is a layer of tissue that surrounds the organs in the abdomen.
  • A doctor who specializes in cancer diagnosis and treatment.
  • A nerve that transmits signals from the retina to the brain.
  • The cavity in the skull where the eye is located.
  • cells that lay down new bone
  • A type of benign tumor that consists of both bone and cartilage tissue. It commonly forms at the end of long bones of the arms and legs, or in the pelvis or shoulder.
  • cells that break down old bone
  • A condition in which bone mass and bone density decreases, causing bones to become frail and fragile.
  • A pair of organs in the female reproductive system, located on either side of the uterus. The ovaries make eggs in addition to the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. These eggs travel from the ovaries through the fallopian tubes to the uterus, where they may be fertilized by male sperm, making the woman pregnant.
  • To produce too many copies of a bodily substance.
  • Palliative care is any form of treatment given to patients to relieve symptoms and side effects of the disease and improve quality of life. The goal of palliative care is not to cure the disease, but to make the patient as comfortable as possible.
  • Palliative care is any form of treatment given to patients to relieve symptoms and side effects of the disease and improve quality of life. The goal of palliative care is not to cure the disease, but to make the patient as comfortable as possible.
  • Refers to a small, mushroom-shaped tumor that grows from the epithelial cells in the inner layer of an organ.
  • The surgeon removes only the breast tumor and a surrounding margin of healthy tissue.
  • A doctor who specializes in diagnosing diseases by examining the cells of tissues under a microscope.
  • A gene that contains information about how to make the PDGFRA protein. The PDGFRA protein helps control the growth and survival of many different cells in the body.
  • A condition in which damage to the peripheral nervous system interferes with signals between the brain and the rest of the body. Peripheral neuropathy may cause pain, numbness, weakness, or tingling in the hands and feet. It may be caused by certain diseases and cancer treatments.
  • A membrane that lines the wall of the abdomen and surrounds the organs in the abdomen.
  • Small red spots under the skin caused by bleeding.
  • A genetic disease that causes polyps to form in the intestines and spots to form on the hands and mouth.
  • Treatment with drugs that are activated by exposure to light in order to destroy cancer cells.
  • A substance that gives color to body tissues, such as the skin, eyes, and hair
  • A small gland in the center of the brain that produces melatonin.
  • Platelets stop bleeding by helping your body form clots on your wounds.
  • The thin tissue membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the inside of the chest cavity. The pleura protects the lungs.
  • A condition in which the tiny air sacs in the lungs (alveoli) become inflammed and filled with fluid.
  • A part of the brain stem located in between the medulla oblongata and the midbrain.
  • The vein that transports blood to the liver from the stomach, intestines, spleen, gallbladder, and pancreas.
  • A legal document that give a person the power to make medical, legal, and financial decisions for someone else.
  • A legal document that give a person the power to make medical, legal, and financial decisions for someone else.
  • A condition that may eventually become cancer.
  • Primary resistance occurs when patients fail to respond to initial treatment with targeted therapy. The initial targeted therapy does not shrink or destroy the tumor and the tumor may continue to grow.
  • The first or original tumor.
  • A hormone involved in pregnancy and menstrual cycles.
  • The probable outcome of a disease. The chance of a remission, progression, or recurrence.
  • Any factor that can be used to determine the chances of a disease remission, progression, or recurrence.
  • Cancer that is getting worse, either by growing or by spreading.
  • The rate at which cancer cells are increasing and multiplying
  • Refers to an artificial device that replaces a body part.
  • A treatment that uses waves of high-energy rays to target and kill cancer cells. There are two types of radiation therapy, external and internal. In external radiation therapy, the radiation is produced by a machine outside of the body. In internal radiation therapy, the radiation is produced by a radioactive material placed inside the body near the site of the tumor.
  • Gives off radiation
  • Treatment in which tissue is heated with radio waves in order to kill abnormal cells.
  • A doctor who specializes in creating and analyzing images of the inside of the body. The images may be created with X-rays, ultrasounds, or other imaging techniques.
  • A treatment that uses waves of high-energy rays to target and kill cancer cells. There are two types of radiation therapy, external and internal. In external radiation therapy, the radiation is produced by a machine outside of the body. In internal radiation therapy, the radiation is produced by a radioactive material placed inside the body near the site of the tumor.
  • A molecule on a cell that binds to certain substances, causing a response by the cell.
  • Also known as neurofibromatosis type 1. A genetic disorder in which tumors, brown spots, and freckles form on the skin. It may also cause tumors to develop on the nerves, as well as developmental changes in the nervous system, bone, muscles, and skin.
  • Cancer that comes back after it has been put into remission.
  • Cancer that comes back after it has been put into remission.
  • Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body.
  • Cancer that is not responsive to treatment. A cancer may be refractory from the start of treatment or may become refractory during treatment.
  • To fail to accept a transplanted organ or tissue because of the immune system's response to foreign tissue.
  • An unintended consequence of an action, that often affects a person for a long time.
  • Can be surgically removed.
  • Surgery to remove all or part of an organ, tissue, or structure.
  • The respiratory system consists of all organs that play a role in breathing and respiration. These include the lungs, bronchi, trachea, nose, throat, and larynx.
  • The most common primary eye cancer in children. Retinoblastoma forms in the retina, which contains cells that sense light and transmit signals through the optic nerve to the brain.
  • A chronic autoimmune disease that affects the joints, causing pain, stiffness, and inflammation.
  • The use of robots to aid in surgery.
  • The use of robots to aid in surgery.
  • An inherited condition that affects the skin, bones, eyes, nose, teeth, hair, nails, testes, and ovaries. This syndrome may increase the risk for developing certain types of cancer, such as osteosarcoma.
  • Cancer that develops in the tissues that connect, surround, and support the body's internal organs and structures. These tissues include muscles, joints, nerves, tendons, fat, and blood vessels.
  • The surgeon removes only the breast tumor and a surrounding margin of healthy tissue.
  • Sudden and uncontrollable body movements caused by abnormal electrical signals in the brain.
  • A sense of self-worth, confidence, and self-respect.
  • Semen is the substance that is discharged from a man's penis during an orgasm. Semen is composed of sperm and seminal fluid.
  • Fluid that helps carry a man's sperm out of the body during orgasm.
  • Glands that produce semen.
  • Sentinel lymph node biopsies are performed during surgical resection of certain tumors to examine whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. The surgeon injects a dye that drains to the first lymph nodes (sentinel lymph nodes) and then removes these sentinel nodes and examines them under a microscope to determine if they contain cancer cells. If they do not, it is unlikely that the cancer has spread beyond them to other lymph nodes.
  • Sentinel lymph nodes are the first lymph nodes to which cancer is likely to spread from the primary tumor.
  • Refers to serum, the clear part of the blood.
  • A thin mixture of small solid particles floating in a liquid.
  • The male reproductive cell, which is produced in the testicles.
  • A tube in the male reproductive system that contains the blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves, and the vas deferens, which transports sperm out of the testicle. This tube goes from the abdomen to the testicle.
  • A bone in between the eyes and behind the nose.
  • A hollow space in the skull, in between the eyes and behind the nose. There are two sphenoid sinuses, which produce mucus to keep the nose moist.
  • An organ on the left side of the abdomen. The spleen is a part of the lymphatic system that makes lymphocytes, filters the blood, and stores and destroys blood cells.
  • A thin, flat cell that looks like a fish scale. These cells may be found in the skin and on the surfaces of hollow organs.
  • Cancer that starts in the squamous cells, which are thin, flat cells that look like fish scales. Squamous cells may be found in the skin and on the surfaces of hollow organs.
  • Describes the amount of cancer in the body.
  • An immature cell that eventually develops into another type of cell in the body. For example, blood-forming stem cells eventually develop into mature red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
  • The doctor replaces stem cells in the bone marrow that have been destroyed by drugs or disease with healthy stem cells. The healthy stem cells may be collected from the patient prior to therapy (autologous) or from a donor (allogeneic).
  • An opening that is created in the surface of the body.
  • The connective, supporting structure of an organ, tissue, or cell.
  • Underneath the skin.
  • Refers to an injection in which the needle is inserted into the fatty tissue layer just beneath the skin.
  • Not invasive. Affecting surface cells
  • surgical removal of the tumor
  • Surgery to remove tissue from a part of the body.
  • relating to the entire body
  • T lymphocytes can directly attack foreign cells and viruses, and can signal the B lymphocytes to produce antibodies
  • An estrogen-blocking medication
  • Some cancer cells contain too many proteins that cause the cancer to grow more aggressively. Targeted therapy specifically targets these cells, preventing the proteins from fueling cell growth. Other types of targeted therapy stimulate the immune system or prevent the tumor from creating blood vessels that would supply it with nutrients.
  • doable
  • refers to a disease that cannot be cured.
  • A hormone produced in the testes that helps the body develop and maintain male sex characteristics.
  • Allows eligible employees to have unpaid leave for family and medical reasons, with continuation of group health insurance coverage and without having to worry about losing their jobs.
  • A disorder in which your body does not make enough blood platelets. A low platelet count may cause easy bruising or bleeding as well as cause petechiae, which are small red spots on your skin.
  • On the skin.
  • TENS is another procedure that targets the nerves carrying pain signals to your brain to relieve pain. TENS uses a gentle electric current produced by a small device to stimulate your nerve fibers and provide relief.
  • A device that converts one form of energy to another form of energy. A transducer can transmit and receive ultrasound information.
  • The area of the cervix in between the endocervix and the exocervix where most precancerous changes occur.
  • A procedure in which the patient is given an infusion of blood. The blood may come from a compatible donor or from the patient.
  • When part of a chromosome breaks off and is transferred to a different chromosome. Pieces of two different chromosomes may also swap places.
  • A procedure in which an organ or part of the body is removed from one person (donor) and transferred to another person (recipient).
  • A procedure in which an organ or part of the body is removed from one person (donor) and transferred to another person (recipient).
  • A hormone produced by the pituitary gland that controls the production of hormones by the thyroid gland.
  • A genetic disease that causes benign tumors to grow in the kidneys, brain, heart, lungs, skin, and eyes. Tuberous sclerosis may cause mental difficulties, seizures, and skin abnormalities.
  • The tissue in which a tumor is located.
  • Treatment in which an artery is blocked in order to stop the flow of blood to a tumor.
  • The most common form of diabetes, in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal. In this disease, the body either does not produce enough insulin, or does not use it properly. Diabetes may cause the kidneys to produce excess urine.
  • A break on the skin or on the surface of an organ that forms when cells on the surface die and fall off
  • A break on the skin or on the surface of an organ that forms when cells on the surface die and fall off
  • Invisible rays produced by the sun that can damage the skin and eyes and increase the risk for certain types of cancer.
  • The tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder.
  • The tube through which urine flows out of the body from the bladder.
  • to send out urine from the body.
  • Treatment to create an opening in the body to allow urine to exit the body
  • A hollow organ in the female reproductive system where the fetus develops during pregnancy. The uterus has an inner lining (endometrium) that grows each month as a woman menstruates and then leaves the body in a menstrual flow if the woman does not become pregnant. The uterus also has a muscle wall that contracts when a woman has a baby.
  • refers to the uvea, the middle layer of the eye that contains the iris, choroid, and ciliary body.
  • A treatment with a vaccine. A vaccine is a substance that helps the immune system recognize and attack viruses, bacteria, cancer cells, and other microorganisms.
  • Vaccine therapy is the use of a substance that boosts the immune system to fight tumor cells.
  • The vagina is a channel that leads from the outside of the body to the bottom of the cervix. The vagina is also called the "birth canal" because a baby moves from the uterus through the vagina when a mother is giving birth
  • Catheters that remain in place in the body and are used to administer medications and remove blood for testing.
  • A cavity in the brain that is connected to the spinal cord and filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). There are a network of ventricles in the brain.
  • the amount of virus in a bodily fluid
  • the immune system's antibody response to antigen exposure
  • to suppress and reduce the function and replication of a virus
  • Treatment that uses a man-made virus to find and kill cancer cells.
  • An inherited condition that causes abnormal blood vessel growth in various parts of the body. This condition may increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer.
  • A genetic disorder in which tumors, brown spots, and freckles form on the skin. It may also cause tumors to develop on the nerves, as well as developmental changes in the nervous system, bone, muscles, and skin. Also known as neurofibromatosis type 1.
  • A rare, congenital, genetic syndrome in which part of chromosome 11 is missing. It may cause any of the following symptoms: Wilms' tumor, decreased mental ability, sexual defects, and eye problems.
  • A genetic disease in which patients experience rapid aging. This disease is caused by a genetic mutation that affects cell division. Patients often begin experiencing symptoms, such as graying hair, hardened arteries, and thinning bones, during adolescence.
  • White blood cells are a part of the immune system and help the body fight infections and diseases.
  • An inherited disorder of the immune system that causes eczema, thrombocytopenia (low platelet levels), and more frequent infections. This syndrome commonly occurs in young boys and can increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer.