Chapter 15 Vocab

Question 1

Alopecia

Answer 1

Hair loss

Question 2

Anaplasia

Answer 2

Pattern of growth in which cells lack normal characteristics and differ in shape and organization with respect to their cells of origin; usually, anaplastic cells are malignant

Question 3

Angiogenesis

Answer 3

Growth of new blood vessels that allows cancer cells to grow

Question 4

Apoptosis

Answer 4

Programmed cell death

Question 5

Benign

Answer 5

Not cancerous; benign tumors may grow but are unable to spread to other organs or body parts

Question 6

Biologic Response Modifier (BRM) Therapy

Answer 6

The use of agents or treatment methods that can alter the immunologic relationship between the tumor and the host to provide a therapeutic benefit

Question 7

Biopsy

Answer 7

A diagnostic procedure in which a small sample of tissue is removed and examined microscopically to detect malignant cells

Question 8

Brachytherapy

Answer 8

Delivery of radiation therapy through internal implants

Question 9

Cancer

Answer 9

A disease process whereby cells proliferate abnormally, ignoring growth-regulating signals in the environment surrounding the cells

Question 10

Carcinogenesis

Answer 10

Process of transforming normal cells into malignant cells

Question 11

Carcinogens

Answer 11

Chemicals, physical factors, and other agents that cause cancer

Question 12

Chemotherapy

Answer 12

The use of medications to kill tumor cells by interfering with cellular functions and reproduction

Question 13

Control

Answer 13

Containment of the growth of cancer cells

Question 14

Cure

Answer 14

Prolonged survival and disappearance of all evidence of disease so that the patient has the same life expectancy as anyone else in his or her age group

Question 15

Cytokines

Answer 15

Substances produced primarily by cells of the immune system to enhance production and functioning of components of the immune system

Question 16

Extravasation

Answer 16

Leakage of medication from the veins into the subcutaneous tissues

Question 17

Grading

Answer 17

Identification of the type of tissue from which the tumor originated and the degree to which the tumor cells retain the functional and structural characteristics of the tissue of origin

Question 18

Graft-Versus-Host Disease

Answer 18

An immune response initiated by T lymphocytes of donor tissue against the recipient’s tissues (skin, gastrointestinal tract, liver); an undesirable response

Question 19

Graft-Versus-Tumor Effect

Answer 19

The donor cell response against the malignancy; a desirable response

Question 20

Malignant

Answer 20

Having cells or processes that are characteristic of cancer

Question 21

Metastasis

Answer 21

Spread of cancer cells from the primary tumor to distant sites

Question 22

Mucositis

Answer 22

Inflammation of the lining of the gastrointestinal tract often associated with cancer therapies

Question 23

Myelosuppression

Answer 23

Suppression of the blood cell–producing function of the bone marrow

Question 24

Nadir

Answer 24

Lowest point of white blood cell depression after therapy that has toxic effects on the bone marrow

Question 25

Neoplasia

Answer 25

Uncontrolled cell growth that follows no physiologic demand

Question 26

Neutropenia

Answer 26

Abnormally low absolute neutrophil count

Question 27

Oncology

Answer 27

Field or study of cancer

Question 28

Palliation

Answer 28

Relief of symptoms and promotion of comfort and quality of life

Question 29

Radiation Therapy

Answer 29

The use of ionizing radiation to kill malignant cells

Question 30

Staging

Answer 30

Process of determining the extent of disease, including tumor size and spread or metastasis to distant sites

Question 31

Stomatitis

Answer 31

Inflammation of the oral tissues, often associated with some chemotherapeutic agents and radiation therapy to the head and neck region

Question 32

Targeted Therapies

Answer 32

Cancer treatments that seek to minimize the negative effects on healthy tissues by disrupting specific cancer cell functions, such as malignant transformation, communication pathways, processes for growth and metastasis, and genetic coding

Question 33

Thrombocytopenia

Answer 33

Decrease in the number of circulating platelets; associated with the potential for bleeding

Question 34

Tumor-Specific Antigen

Answer 34

Protein on the membrane of cancer cells that distinguishes the malignant cell from a benign cell of the same tissue type

Question 35

Vesicant

Answer 35

Substance that can cause tissue necrosis and damage

Question 36

Xerostomia

Answer 36

Dry oral cavity resulting from decreased function of salivary glands