Cancer Terms

Question 1

malignant tumor of epithelial tissue originating from glandular cells

Answer 1

adenocarcinoma

Question 2

benign tumor of epithelial tissue originating from glandular cells

Answer 2

adenoma

Question 3

treatment given after primary treatment to keep cancer from returning

Answer 3

adjuvant therapy

Question 4

lack of differentiation in neoplastic cells; sign of malignancy

Answer 4

anaplasia

Question 5

common skin cancer of epithelium that rarely metastasizes

Answer 5

basal cell carcinoma

Question 6

non-cancerous, non-invasive

Answer 6

benign

Question 7

internal radiation therapy; radioactive material placed directly next to a tumor

Answer 7

brachytherapy

Question 8

any substance that is capable of causing cancer

Answer 8

carcinogen

Question 9

malignant tumor with a tendency to metastasize to other areas

Answer 9

carcinoma

Question 10

localized or noninvasive cancer

Answer 10

carcinoma in situ

Question 11

type of cancer treatment that uses drugs or chemicals

Answer 11

chemotherapy

Question 12

malignant tumor of cartilage

Answer 12

chondrosarcoma

Question 13

malignant tumor usually of the placenta during pregnancy

Answer 13

choriocarcinoma

Question 14

process of cells to become more specialized for functionality (for example: muscle or bone cells); cancer cells tend to lose differentiation

Answer 14

differentiation

Question 15

abnormal tissue development

Answer 15

dysplasia

Question 16

primary bone cancer that mostly affects a growth area in children (often the growth plate at the end of an arm or leg)

Answer 16

ewing sarcoma

Question 17

benign tumor of fibrous connective tissue

Answer 17

fibroma

Question 18

malignant tumor of fibrous connective tissue

Answer 18

fibrosarcoma

Question 19

most common and aggressive malignant brain tumor

Answer 19

glioblastoma

Question 20

tumor originating in the brain or spine

Answer 20

glioma

Question 21

malignant tumor originating from blood vessels

Answer 21

hemangiosarcoma

Question 22

study of tissue; histology of tumor is key to determining type of cancer

Answer 22

histology

Question 23

cancer of the lymph system stemming from white blood cells; one form of lymphoma

Answer 23

Hodgkin’s disease

Question 24

excessive development of number of cells other than tumor development, may be a sign of precancerous cell development; break it down

Answer 24

hyperplasia

Question 25

form of skin cancer spread through the lymphatic system that commonly produces red or purple patches on the skin; common in those with weakend immune responses, such a AIDS patients

Answer 25

kaposi sarcoma

Question 26

benign tumor of smooth muscle (often of the uterus)

Answer 26

leiomyoma

Question 27

malignant tumor of smooth muscle (often of the uterus)

Answer 27

leiomyosarcoma

Question 28

cancer of red bone marrow that begins with abnormal production of white blood cells

Answer 28

leukemia

Question 29

precancerous white patches on mucous membranes, usually of the mouth as a result of smoking

Answer 29

leukoplakia

Question 30

benign tumor of fat cells

Answer 30

lipoma

Question 31

malignant tumor of fat cells

Answer 31

liposarcoma

Question 32

malignant tumor of lymphatic vessels

Answer 32

lymphangiosarcoma

Question 33

malignant tumor of lymph nodes or lymph tissue

Answer 33

lymphoma

Question 34

cancerous, invasive;

Answer 34

malignant

Question 35

most serious form of skin cancer originating from pigment producing cells (melanocytes)

Answer 35

melanoma

Question 36

benign tumor of the meninges that often produces pressure against the brain

Answer 36

meningioma

Question 37

(abbreviation: Mets) spread of cancer from primary site to another site not directly connected

Answer 37

metastasis

Question 38

malignant tumor of bone marrow

Answer 38

myeloma

Question 39

benign tumor of muscle tissue

Answer 39

myoma

Question 40

malignant tumor of muscle tissue

Answer 40

myosarcoma

Question 41

tumor; new, uncontrolled cell growth resulting in abnormal growth of tissue; may be malignant or benign

Answer 41

neoplasm

Question 42

(Wilms tumor) cancerous tumor of kidney most often found in children

Answer 42

nephroblastoma

Question 43

tumor of nervous tissue

Answer 43

neuroma

Question 44

physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer

Answer 44

oncologist

Question 45

study of tumors (cancer)

Answer 45

oncology

Question 46

malignant tumor of bone

Answer 46

osteosarcoma

Question 47

treatment given to reduce pain and suffering without providing a cure

Answer 47

palliative

Question 48

lesion or tumor that tends to develop into cancer

Answer 48

pre-cancerous

Question 49

site of original cancer cell formation and growth into a tumor

Answer 49

primary site

Question 50

type of cancer treatment that uses radiation

Answer 50

radiotherapy

Question 51

period after treatment in which there is no active cancer

Answer 51

remission

Question 52

malignant tumor of the retina often developing during childhood

Answer 52

retinoblastoma

Question 53

benign tumor of muscle fibers

Answer 53

rhabdomyoma

Question 54

malignant tumor of muscle fibers

Answer 54

rhabdomyosarcoma

Question 55

malignant tumor

Answer 55

sarcoma

Question 56

site to where a primary cancer spreads via the blood or lymphatic systems

Answer 56

secondary site

Question 57

slow growing cancer originating from the epidermis

Answer 57

squamous cell carcinoma

Question 58

tumor comprised of different types of tissues; includes tissues not usually found in the organ where it develops; occurs most commonly in the ovary or testis

Answer 58

teratoma

Question 59

benign tumor of the thymus gland

Answer 59

thymoma

Question 60

abbreviation: tumor, node, metastasis; staging system for the classification of tumors

Answer 60

TNM

Question 61

neoplasm; new, uncontrolled cell growth resulting in abnormal growth of tissue; may be malignant or benign

Answer 61

tumor

Question 62

dry mouth due to reduction in salivary gland performance; common side effect of raditiation therapy

Answer 62

xerostomia