Glossary for Cancer

Glossary also known as a vocabulary is defined as an alphabetical list of words that are uncommon or specialised relating to a specific subject with a short explanations. Following are set of words related to cancer.

…continued from the previous post (27 to 51 words)

27. Cancer Anorexia Cachexia : This medical condition occurs due to a number of complex factors. A defining feature of cancer anorexia-cachexia is rapid loss of weight along with fatigue, weakness and loss of appetite.

28. Cancer: It is a name given to a group of different diseases (approx 200 types) that can start just about any place in the body, characterized by abnormal cell growth (tumour) which has the ability to invade nearby tissues.

29. Cardiotoxicity : Damage to the heart is associated with certain anti cancer drugs, especially Adriamycin which is referred as cardiotoxicity.

30. Carcinoma: This is a cancer which starts from epithelial tissue (cells) of the glands and the outer layer of skin that covers blood vessels, hollow organs and the body's orifices).

31. Cartilage: It is a solid flexible tissue that cushions bones at joints.

32. Cell: The basic unit that works just as building blocks which construct the human body. Hence it is basic structural and functional unit of any living thing.

33. Cell-Differentiation: Stem cell has the ability to change its character and form the different specialized tissue in the body.

34. Cervical Cancer: It is a common type of cancer found in women. It is a disease in which cancerous cells develop in the uterine cervix which is connecting passage between the uterus and vagina.

35. Chemoprevention: The use of natural, synthetic (made in a laboratory), or biologic (from a living source) substances to reverse/ slow down / prevent the development of cancer.

36. Chemotherapy: This refers to the treatment of cancer using anti-cancer drugs to kill cancer cells.

37. Chondrosarcoma: A malignant tumor that forms in cartilage cells known as chondroplasts.

38. Chronic: Refers to a disease or health condition that continues often slowly for a long time.

39. Colposcopy: Visual examination of the tissues of the cervix and vagina by inserting a magnifying instrument called a colposcope.

40. Computed Tomography (CT-Scan): The x-ray machine which rotates around the patient taking images from different angles that are processed by a computer.

41. Cutaneous-T-Cell-lymphoma: A rare type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that first appears on the skin, then later spreads to the lymph nodes and organs.

42. Cycle: Chemotherapy drugs are used periodically as per the schedule decided by the consulting doctor. This process is called cycles of chemotherapy.

43. Cyst: A fluid filled sac or cavity.

44. Cytotoxic : It is a substance which kills or damage cells.

45. DNA: This abbreviation stands for deoxyribonucleic acid. DNA is the component of the chromosomes that carries the genetic code.

46. Diverticulosis: A condition in which a person has small sacs or pouch in the walls of a canal or organ, such as the stomach or intestine. These sacs can become inflamed to cause diverticulitis and can be a risk factor for certain types of cancer.

47. Dysplasia: The unusual pathological development of cells, indicating possible malignancy.

48. Endoprosthesis: An artificial replacement that is fitted inside the body e.g. a metal prosthesis that replaces the thigh bone in limb sparing surgery.

49. Enucleation:– This is an operation to treat advanced stage of ocular tumours in which entire eyeball is removed.

50. Epidermis: Melanocytes, basal cells, and squamous cells are found in the epidermis. Overexposure of the epidermis (outermost layer of the skin) to ultraviolet rays from the sun can lead to skin cancer.

51. Ewing's-Sarcoma: It is the most common cancer in children and young adults. This is mainly found in the diaphysis (mid-shaft) part of the bone of pelvis, femur, tibia, and fibula.

"The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun." Christopher McCandless