Chapter 19: Cancer Medicine (Oncology): Pathologic Descriptions and Treatment Flashcards
cystic
Forming large open spaces filled with fluid
mucinous tumors
Filled with mucus (thick, sticky fluid)
serous tumors
Filled with a thin, watery fluid resembling serum
fungating
Mushrooming pattern of growth in which tumor cells pile one on top of another and project from a tissue surface
inflammatory
Having the features of inflammation (redness, swelling, heat)
medullary
Large, soft, fleshy tumors
necrotic
Containing dead tissue
polypoid
Growths that form projections extending outward from a base
ulcerating
Characterized by an open, exposed surface resulting from the death of overlying tissue
verrucous
Resembling a wart-like growth
alveolar
Tumor cells form patterns resembling small sacs
carcinoma in situ
Referring to localized tumor cells that have not invaded adjacent structures
diffuse
Spreading evenly throughout the affected tissue
dysplastic
Containing abnormal-appearing cells that are not clearly cancerous
epidermoid
Resembling squamous epithelial cells (thin, plate-like)
follicular
Forming small glanular sacs
papillary
Forming small, finger-like or nipple-like projections of cells
pleomorphic
Composed of a variety of types of cells
scirrhous
Densely packed tumors, due to dense bands of fibrous tissue
undifferentiated
Lacking microscopic structures typical of normal mature cells
cauterization
Destruction of tissue by burning
core needle biopsy
Placement of a large-bore needle that extracts a thin core of tissue
cryosurgery
Use of subfreezing temperature to destroy tissue
en bloc resection
Tumor is removed along with a large area of surrounding tissue containing lymph nodes
excisional therapy
Removal of a tumor and a margin of normal tissue. This procedure provides a specimen for diagnosis and may be curative for small noninvasive tumors
exenteration
Wide resection involving removal of the tumor, its organ of origin, and all surrounding tissue in the body space
fine needle aspiration
Placement of a very thin needle inside the tumor mass and extracting cells for microscopic evaluation
fulguration
Destruction of tissue by electric sparks generated by a high-frequency current
incisional biopsy
Piece of tumor is removed for examination to establish a diagnosis
irradiation
Exposure of tissue to radiation
brachytherapy
Implantation of small, sealed containers or seeds of radioactive material directly into the tumor (interstitial therapy); or in a cavity of the tumor (intracavitary therapy)
electron beams
Low-energy beams for treatment of skin or surface tumors
external beam irradiation
Radiation therapy applied to a tumor from a distance source (linear accelerator)
fields
Dimensions of the size of radiation area used to treat a tumor from a specific angle
fractionation
A method of dividing radiation into small, repeated doses rather than fewer large doses. Fractionation allowed larger total doses to be given while causing less damage to normal tissue
gray (Gy)
Unit of absorbed radiation dose
linear accelerator
Large electronic device that produces high-energy x-ray (or photon) beams for the treatment of deep-seated tumors
photon therapy
Radiation therapy using x-rays or gamma rays to treat tumors
proton therapy
Small subatomic positively charged particles (protons) produced by a cyclotron deposit all the energy at a focused finite point. This reduces the dose affecting normal surrounding tissues by at least 50%
radiocurable tumor
Tumor that be completely eradicated by radiation therapy. Usually, this is a localized tumor with no evidence of metastasis
radioresistant tumor
Tumor that requires large doses of radiation to produce death of the cells
radiosensitive tumor
Tumor in which irradiation can cause the death of cells without serious damage to surrounding tissue (morbidity)
radiosensitizers
Drugs that increase the sensitivity of tumors to x-rays
simulation
An imaging study performed before radiation therapy using CT scan and/or MRI to map the area to receive treatment. Simulation is required for all patients undergoing radiotherapy
stereotactic radiosurgery
Single large dose of radiation is delivered under precise 3D guidance (stereotactic) from multiple angles to destroy vascular abnormalities and small brain tumors
