Chapter 15 Vocab Flashcards
Alopecia
Hair loss
Anaplasia
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
Angiogenesis
Growth of new blood vessels that allows cancer cells to grow
Apoptosis
Programmed cell death
Benign
Not cancerous; benign tumors may grow but are unable to spread to other organs or body parts
Biologic Response Modifier (BRM) Therapy
The use of agents or treatment methods that can alter the immunologic relationship between the tumor and the host to provide a therapeutic benefit
Biopsy
A diagnostic procedure in which a small sample of tissue is removed and examined microscopically to detect malignant cells
Brachytherapy
Delivery of radiation therapy through internal implants
Cancer
A disease process whereby cells proliferate abnormally, ignoring growth-regulating signals in the environment surrounding the cells
Carcinogenesis
Process of transforming normal cells into malignant cells
Carcinogens
Chemicals, physical factors, and other agents that cause cancer
Chemotherapy
The use of medications to kill tumor cells by interfering with cellular functions and reproduction
Control
Containment of the growth of cancer cells
Cure
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
Cytokines
Substances produced primarily by cells of the immune system to enhance production and functioning of components of the immune system
Extravasation
Leakage of medication from the veins into the subcutaneous tissues
Grading
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
Graft-Versus-Host Disease
An immune response initiated by T lymphocytes of donor tissue against the recipient’s tissues (skin, gastrointestinal tract, liver); an undesirable response
Graft-Versus-Tumor Effect
The donor cell response against the malignancy; a desirable response
Malignant
Having cells or processes that are characteristic of cancer
Metastasis
Spread of cancer cells from the primary tumor to distant sites
Mucositis
Inflammation of the lining of the gastrointestinal tract often associated with cancer therapies
Myelosuppression
Suppression of the blood cell–producing function of the bone marrow
Nadir
Lowest point of white blood cell depression after therapy that has toxic effects on the bone marrow
Neoplasia
Uncontrolled cell growth that follows no physiologic demand
Neutropenia
Abnormally low absolute neutrophil count
Oncology
Field or study of cancer
Palliation
Relief of symptoms and promotion of comfort and quality of life
Radiation Therapy
The use of ionizing radiation to kill malignant cells
Staging
Process of determining the extent of disease, including tumor size and spread or metastasis to distant sites
Stomatitis
Inflammation of the oral tissues, often associated with some chemotherapeutic agents and radiation therapy to the head and neck region
Targeted Therapies
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
Thrombocytopenia
Decrease in the number of circulating platelets; associated with the potential for bleeding
Tumor-Specific Antigen
Protein on the membrane of cancer cells that distinguishes the malignant cell from a benign cell of the same tissue type
Vesicant
Substance that can cause tissue necrosis and damage
Xerostomia
Dry oral cavity resulting from decreased function of salivary glands
