Cancer Terms Flashcards
malignant tumor of epithelial tissue originating from glandular cells
adenocarcinoma
benign tumor of epithelial tissue originating from glandular cells
adenoma
treatment given after primary treatment to keep cancer from returning
adjuvant therapy
lack of differentiation in neoplastic cells; sign of malignancy
anaplasia
common skin cancer of epithelium that rarely metastasizes
basal cell carcinoma
non-cancerous, non-invasive
benign
internal radiation therapy; radioactive material placed directly next to a tumor
brachytherapy
any substance that is capable of causing cancer
carcinogen
malignant tumor with a tendency to metastasize to other areas
carcinoma
localized or noninvasive cancer
carcinoma in situ
type of cancer treatment that uses drugs or chemicals
chemotherapy
malignant tumor of cartilage
chondrosarcoma
malignant tumor usually of the placenta during pregnancy
choriocarcinoma
process of cells to become more specialized for functionality (for example: muscle or bone cells); cancer cells tend to lose differentiation
differentiation
abnormal tissue development
dysplasia
primary bone cancer that mostly affects a growth area in children (often the growth plate at the end of an arm or leg)
ewing sarcoma
benign tumor of fibrous connective tissue
fibroma
malignant tumor of fibrous connective tissue
fibrosarcoma
most common and aggressive malignant brain tumor
glioblastoma
tumor originating in the brain or spine
glioma
malignant tumor originating from blood vessels
hemangiosarcoma
study of tissue; histology of tumor is key to determining type of cancer
histology
cancer of the lymph system stemming from white blood cells; one form of lymphoma
Hodgkin’s disease
excessive development of number of cells other than tumor development, may be a sign of precancerous cell development; break it down
hyperplasia
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
kaposi sarcoma
benign tumor of smooth muscle (often of the uterus)
leiomyoma
malignant tumor of smooth muscle (often of the uterus)
leiomyosarcoma
cancer of red bone marrow that begins with abnormal production of white blood cells
leukemia
precancerous white patches on mucous membranes, usually of the mouth as a result of smoking
leukoplakia
benign tumor of fat cells
lipoma
malignant tumor of fat cells
liposarcoma
malignant tumor of lymphatic vessels
lymphangiosarcoma
malignant tumor of lymph nodes or lymph tissue
lymphoma
cancerous, invasive;
malignant
most serious form of skin cancer originating from pigment producing cells (melanocytes)
melanoma
benign tumor of the meninges that often produces pressure against the brain
meningioma
(abbreviation: Mets) spread of cancer from primary site to another site not directly connected
metastasis
malignant tumor of bone marrow
myeloma
benign tumor of muscle tissue
myoma
malignant tumor of muscle tissue
myosarcoma
tumor; new, uncontrolled cell growth resulting in abnormal growth of tissue; may be malignant or benign
neoplasm
(Wilms tumor) cancerous tumor of kidney most often found in children
nephroblastoma
tumor of nervous tissue
neuroma
physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer
oncologist
study of tumors (cancer)
oncology
malignant tumor of bone
osteosarcoma
treatment given to reduce pain and suffering without providing a cure
palliative
lesion or tumor that tends to develop into cancer
pre-cancerous
site of original cancer cell formation and growth into a tumor
primary site
type of cancer treatment that uses radiation
radiotherapy
period after treatment in which there is no active cancer
remission
malignant tumor of the retina often developing during childhood
retinoblastoma
benign tumor of muscle fibers
rhabdomyoma
malignant tumor of muscle fibers
rhabdomyosarcoma
malignant tumor
sarcoma
site to where a primary cancer spreads via the blood or lymphatic systems
secondary site
slow growing cancer originating from the epidermis
squamous cell carcinoma
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
teratoma
benign tumor of the thymus gland
thymoma
abbreviation: tumor, node, metastasis; staging system for the classification of tumors
TNM
neoplasm; new, uncontrolled cell growth resulting in abnormal growth of tissue; may be malignant or benign
tumor
dry mouth due to reduction in salivary gland performance; common side effect of raditiation therapy
xerostomia
