Below are some common cancer terms and their meanings. For a more comprehensive list, see the National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms.
djuvant chemotherapy: chemotherapy treatment that enhances the effectiveness of the patients primary cancer treatment (surgery or radiation therapy)
antibody: a substance, probably produced by lymphocytes and other special cells, which helps defend the body against infections due to viruses, bacteria, and other foreign organisms
antigen: any substance capable of stimulating an immune response
benign: not cancerous
biopsy: the removal and examination of tissue, cells, or fluids from the body
bone marrow: spongy material that fills the inner spaces of the bones and production site of many blood elements such as red blood cells
bone marrow transplant: a procedure in which bone marrow from one person is transplanted into another person whose bone marrow is damaged or diseased
brachytherapy: a type of radiation therapy in which radioactive materials are placed in direct contact with the tissue being treated
cancer: uncontrolled, abnormal growth of cells which expands by destroying normal cells and spreads throughout the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body
carcinoma: a malignant tumor originating in the epithelial cells (cells of the surface of tissues)
chemotherapy: the use of chemical agents in the treatment and control of cancer
clinical trial: research conducted with patients to evaluate new treatments
computed tomography (CT): radiography in which a three dimensional image of a body structure is constructed by a computer
5-year relative survival rate: includes persons who are living 5 years after diagnosis; used to monitor progress in early detection and treatment of cancer
hematology: the study and treatment of the blood and blood tissues
Hodgkins disease: disease that is characterized by progressive enlargement of the lymph nodes, spleen and liver. Most often occurring in males, its strikes individuals between the ages of 15-35.
immune system: the bodily system that protects the body from foreign substances, cells and tissues.
immunosuppression: suppression of natural immune responses caused by drugs, irradiation, and other cancer fighting agents
immunotherapy: treatment of a disease by stimulating the bodys natural immune responses
laparoscopy: surgical procedure that enables visual examination of the abdomen by means of a long, slender optical instrument.
leukemia: disease of the blood and blood forming organs characterized by an abnormal increase in the number of leukocytes (white blood cells)
lymph nodes: organs that supply lymphocytes (white blood cells) to the bloodstream and filter out bacteria and foreign substances.
lymphoma: malignant tumor of the lymphatic tissue
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): technique used to view the internal structures of the body
mammogram: photograph of the breasts made by X rays
melanoma: a tumor of high malignancy that starts in a black mole and metastasizes rapidly and widely
metastasis: spread of cancer from one part of the body to another
non-Hodgkins lymphoma: cancer of the lymph tissues that is not Hodgkins disease
photodynamic therapy: cancer treatment that destroys cancer cells by using the interaction of laser light and a chemical that makes cells more sensitive to light.
radiation therapy: the treatment of disease by means of X rays or radioactive substances
remission: a state or period during which the symptoms of a disease decrease or disappear
resection: the surgical removal of part of an organ or structure
sarcoma: cancerous growth of the soft tissues stem cell: an unspecialized cell that gives rise to other cells
tumor: malignant or benign, abnormal growth of tissue
X-ray: low dose radiation used to develop images of the internal parts of the body
Source: Websters Medical Desk Dictionary. Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc, 1986.