Lesson 14 - Cancer Medicine, Radiology & Nuclear Medicine Flashcards
antibiotics
Chemical substances, produced by bacteria, that inhibit the growth of cells; used in cancer chemotherapy
adenoma
A tumor of glandular or epithelial origin.
benign
Non-cancerous
biological therapy
Use of the body’s own defense mechanisms to fight tumor cells.
bone marrow
Aspiration of bone marrow tissue and examination under a microscope for evidence of malignant cells.
carcinogens
Agents that cause cancer; chemicals and drugs, radiation, and viruses.
carcinoma
Cancerous tumor made up of cells of epithelial origin.
chemotherapy
Treatment with drugs
contrast studies
Materials (contrast media) are injected to obtain contrast with surrounding tissue when shown on the x-ray film.
cystic
Forming large open spaces filled with fluid.
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
Genetic material within the nucleus of a cell; controls cell division and protein synthesis.
diffuse
Spreading evenly throughout the affected tissue.
fiberoptic colonoscopy
Visual examination of the colon using a fiberoptic instrument.
follicular
Forming small, microscopic, gland-type sacs. Thyroid gland cancer is an example.
genetic screening
Family members are tested to determine whether they have inherited a cancer-causing gene.
grading of tumors
Evaluating the degree of maturity of tumor cells.
histogenesis
Identification of the type of tissue from which tumor cells arise.
hyperplasia
Rapid growth
hysterosalpingography
An x-ray of the endometrial cavity and Fallopian tubes after injecting contrast material through a catheter inserted through the vagina and into the endocervical canal. This procedure determines the patency of the Fallopian tubes.
infiltrative
Extending beyone normal tissue boundaries.
intravenous pyelogram (IVP)
X-ray images are made of the renal pelvis and urinary tract after contrast is injected into a vein.
invasive
Having the ability to enter and destroy surrounding tissue.
laparoscopy
Visual examination of the abdominal cavity using small incisions and a laparoscope.
leukemia
Tumors derived from bone marrow.
malignant
Tending to become worse and result in death; having the characteristics of invasiveness and metastasis.
mammography
X-ray examination of the breasts to detect breast cancer.
metastasis
(meta=beyond; -stasis=control) Spread of a malignant tumor to a secondary site.
modality
Method of treatment, such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation.
morbidity
The condition of being diseased.
mutation
(mut/a=genetic change) Change in the genetic material (DNA) of a cell; may be caused by chemicals, radiation, or viruses or may occur spontaneously.
myelography
An x-ray of the spinal cord after injecting contrast agent into the space around the spinal cord. Usually performed on patient’s who cannot have an MRI.
necrotic
Containing dead tissue.
N&V
Nausea and vomting.
needle biopsy
Insertion of a needle into a tissue to remove a core of tissue.
neoplasm
(tumor) New growth; benign or malignant tumors.
nodular
Forming multiple areas of tightly packed clusters of cells with lightly populated areas in between.
nuclear medicine
Medical specialty that studies the uses of radioactive substances (radionuclides) in diagnosis of disease.
oncology
The study of tumors.
palliative
Relieving, but not curing symptoms.
papillary
Forming small, finger-like or nipple-like projections of cells. (i.e. Bladder cancer may be described as this.)
polypoid
polyp/o=polyp
Growths that are like projections extending outward from a base of stalk. (i.e. colon polyps)
protocol
An explicit, detailed plan for treatment.
radiation
Energy carried by a stream of particles. Various forms of radiation can cause cancer.
radiology
Medical specialty concerned with the study of x-rays and their use in the diagnosis of disease; includes other forms of energy, such as ultrasound and magnetic waves.
radiotherapy
Treatment using radiation; radiation oncology.
relapse
Return of symptoms of disease.
retrograde pyelogram
X-ray images are made of the renal pelvis and urinary tract after dye is injected directly into the urethra, bladder, and ureters.
sarcoma
(sarc/o=flesh, connective tissue) Cancerous tumor derived from connective tissue.
sonogram
The record produced derived from connective tissue.
staging of tumors
System of evaluating the extent of the spread of tumors.
steroids
Complex, naturally occurring chemicals, such as hormones, that are used as chemotherapeutic agents.
tumor (-oma)
Cancer cells that accumulate as growths which compress, invade, and ultimately destroy the surrounding normal tissue.
ulcerating
Characterized by an open, exposed surface resulting from the death of overlying tissue. Often found in the stomach, breast, colon and skin.
ultrasound (US, U/S)
(ultra=beyond) Diagnostic technique that projects and retrieves high-frequency sound waves as they echo off parts of the body.
virus
An infectious agent that reproduces by entering a host cell and using the host’s genetic material to make copies of itself.
