Do I Have Cancer?
There are over 100 differing types of cancer. Each sort 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 jargons 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 any article or book on cancers. As a result, the knowledge is usually misinterpreted or not fully understood or comprehended.
In this 3rd article of my cancer series, i might wish to explain in very simple terms all phrases and terminologies utilized in describing a 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 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 lining of internal organs or from skin
Adenoma: a non-cancer tumor that starts from glands
Adenopathy: swollen glands
Adjunct or adjunctive therapy: another treatment used along side primary treatment. for instance , radiotherapy is usually given after surgery to treat cancer as adjunctive treatment.
Anal: of anus, anal cancer
Anorexia: an abnormal loss of appetite for food.
Asbestos: a gaggle of minerals that are found within the sort of tiny fibres. 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 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 stomach into the esophagus over time can cause Barrett esophagus.
Basal cells: they're small round cells found within the lower a part of epidermis. The cancer that begins within the basal cells is named basal cell cancer or basal cell carcinoma.
Benign: not cancerous, also called non-malignant. malignant neoplasm may be a cancerous growth.For example, fibroadenoma may be a benign tumour of breast whereas as adenocarcinoma may be a malignant neoplasm of the breast.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia: this is often a non-cancerous condition of prostate where there's 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 the 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 alittle sample of bone marrow is removed with a good needle and syringe and sent to laboratory to see for cancer cells. If alittle sample of bone with bone marrow inside it's removed, it's called 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 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 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 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 a cancer that begins within the skin or in tissues that line the interior organs of the body. for instance epithelial cell carcinoma of skin or adenocarcinoma of 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 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 faraway from the liner of uterus or cervix. The cervix is first made larger (dilated) with a instrument called dilator and another instrument called cutrette is inserted into the uterus to get rid of the tissue. The removed tissue sample could also be sent to 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 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 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 syndrome (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 generally 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 tumour of breast.
Fibroid: a benign tumour 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 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 are 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 papilloma virus 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 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 an 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 the 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 uterus and/or cervix are removed. When both uterus and therefore the cervix are removed, it's called a complete hysterectomy. When only the uterus is removed, it's called a partial hysterectomy.
Immunotherapy: a treatment that reinforces 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 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 amount of latest cases of a 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 a 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 cover the brain and medulla spinalis .
Intravenous (IV) chemotherapy: treatment during which anticancer drugs are injected into a vein through a canula.
Labial: of lip
Laryngeal: of larynx, laryngeal cancer
Laser surgery: a surgery that uses intense, narrow beams of sunshine to chop and destroy cancer tissue.
Leukemia: a 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 are often benign mass or malignant mass.
Mastectomy: removal of 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: the cancer that begins in melanocytes. 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 . The cancer that's formed by cells that have spread from original site is named metastatic cancer or malignant tumor .
Mucosal: of mucosa, mucosal lining of vagina
Mutate: means 'to change'. Mutation means change in DNA of a cell.
Nasal: of nose, nasal polyp
Neoplasia: it's an 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 growth of cancer cells.
Oncology: the study of cancer
Oncologist: a doctor who focuses on treating cancer.
Oral: of mouth, carcinoma
Ovarian: of ovary, ovarian cancer
Palliative therapy or treatment: this is often the treatment given to alleviate the symptoms and reduce the suffering of cancer patient. Palliative care aims to enhance the standard of lifetime of patients.
Pancreatic: of pancreas, carcinoma
Pharyngeal: of 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 stomach is removed.
Penectomy: surgery to get rid of part or the whole penis
Penile: of 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 mucosa of colon and rectum.
Precancerous (premalignant) may be a condition which will become cancer later.
Proctoscopy: examination of the rectum employing a proctoscope, inserted into the rectum.
Prognosis: the likely outcome of cancer. The prognosis of most cancers in 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 development of cancer therein organ in future. for instance , prophylactic mastectomy or prophylactic removal of ovaries are sometimes done.
Prostatic: of prostate, prostatic cancer
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA): this is often a protein produced by prostate . the extent of PSA in blood could also be increased in men who have prostatic adenocarcinoma or 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 destroy 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 plan 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 a cancer with those that don't have the 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 disappearance of or decrease in signs and symptoms of cancer. A cancer is claimed to be in complete 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 kidney, renal cancer
Resection: removal of part or all of an organ.
Risk factor: a risk factor are some things that increases the prospect of developing a 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 the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Staging cancer helps to offer 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 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 menstrual period following 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 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 urethra, urethral discharge
Uterine: of uterus, uterine cancer
Urologic oncologist: a doctor who focuses on treating cancers of the urogenital system .
Vaginal of 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 the cancer progresses very slowly.
Wedge resection: this is often a surgery where a triangular piece of tissue is removed so as to treat a cancer
Cancer
Reviewed by newsanddailyupdates
on
July 05, 2020
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