Oncology 16 Flashcards
ablat/o
to take away
bi/o
life
cancer/o
cancer
carcin/o
cancer
chem/o
chemical, drug
cry/o
cold
cyt/o
cell
kary/o
nucleus
lapar/o
abdomen
leuk/o
white
melan/o
black, dark
onc/o
tumor
path/o
disease
plas/o
growth, formation
radi/o
x-rays, radiation
rhabd/o
striated muscle
sarc/o
muscle, flesh
squam/o
scale-like structure
chondro-
cartilage
dys-
painful, difficult, abnormal
intra-
within
leio-
smooth
mal-
bad, poor
meta-
change, beyond
neo-
new
para-
beside
trans-
across, through
-gen
origin, production
-genic
originating, producing
-oma
tumor or neoplasm
scopy
viewing, examining, or observing with an instrument
benign
nonmalignant form of a neoplasm
cancer (CA)
general term for a group of diseases characterized by an abnormal, uncontrolled growth of cells
cancerous
pertaining to cancer
carcinogen
any cancer-causing substance or organism
differentiation
acquiring characteristics or functions different from that of the original cell
dysplasia
abnormal growth of tissue
in situ
in the original place or site without any expansion or spread
invasion
the direct migration and penetration of cancerous cells into neighboring tissues
lesion
a pathologic change in tissue resulting from disease or injury
malignant
tumor that invades surrounding tissue and may spread to other body parts; cancerous
metastasis
spread of disease from one part of the body to another
oncogenes
mutated forms of genes that cause normal cells to grow out of control and become cancer cells
oncogenic
causing or being suitable for the development of a tumor
recurrence
the return of cancer or disease
remission
lessening in severity of disease symptoms; the period of time when a cancer is responding to treatment or is under control
TNM staging
abbreviation for cancer classification based on characteristics of the tumors, nodal involvement, and extent of metastasis
tumor staging
the extent of spread of a cancer from its original site
adenocarcinoma
malignant neoplasm composed of glandular tissue
adenoma
benign neoplasm composed of glandular tissue
carcinoma (CA)
malignant neoplasm derived from epithelial tissue, chiefly glandular (adenocarcinoma) or squamous (squamous cell carcinoma)
fibroma
benign neoplasm of fibrous connective tissue
fibrosarcoma
malignant neoplasm of deep fibrous tissue
lipoma
benign neoplasm of adipose (fat) tissue
liposarcoma
malignant neoplasm of adipose (fat) tissue
malignant neoplasm
tumor that invades surrounding tissue and is usually capable of metastasizing; can be located in any organ or tissue in the body
melanoma
tumor characterized by a dark appearance; most commonly occurs in the skin or in the eye
neoplasm
tumor; abnormal growth of new tissue into a mass; can be benign or malignant
neuroma
tumor derived from nervous tissue
myeloma
tumor composed of cells derived from bone marrow
sarcoma
malignant neoplasm of connective tissue or nonepithelial tissue
basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
a cancer that begins in the lowest layer of the epidermis of the skin
Kaposi sarcoma
cancer of the skin and sometimes lymph codes that causes purplish-red patches on the skin; most commonly seen in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
melanoma
a malignant skin cancer that arises from the melanocytes in the epidermis, usually caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation
squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
a cancer that begins in the squamous cells located in the upper levels of the epidermis of the skin
chondrosarcoma
a large malignant tumor arising from cartilage cells
Ewing tumor; Ewing sarcoma
a malignant tumor found in bone or soft tissue
giant cell tumor
a tumor of the tendon sheath that can be either benign or malignant
leiomyoma
benign tumor of smooth (nonstriated) muscle
leiomyosarcoma
malignant tumor of smooth (nonstriated) muscle
liposarcoma
a malignant tumor of adipose (fat) tissue in deep soft tissue; occurs in the retroperitoneal tissues and the thigh
osteofibroma
benign lesion of bone consisting mainly of fairly dense, moderately cellular, fibrous connective tissue
osteosarcoma
fast-growing malignant type of bone cancer that develops in the bone-forming cells (osteoblasts); most common and most malignant of bone sarcomas
rhabdomyoma
benign tumor of striated (skeletal) muscle
rhabdomyosarcoma
a highly malignant tumor of striated (skeletal) muscle
astrocytoma
a tumor that arises from small, star-shaped cells (astrocytes) in the brain and spinal cord
glioma
cancer that arises from the glial cells of the nervous system
medulloblastoma
cancer that develops from the primitive nerve cells in the medullary tube and is usually located in the cerebellum
meningioma
benign and slow-growing tumor of the meninges
neuroblastoma
malignant tumor of embryonic nerve cells (neuroblasts); neuroblastomas frequently occur in infants and children, and 30% are associated with the adrenal glands
intraocular melanoma
a malignant cancer that forms in the tissues of the eye
retinoblastoma
a malignant ocular tumor of the retina that affects young children
multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN)
a group of disorders characterized by functioning tumors in more than one endocrine gland
pheochromocytoma
a vascular tumor of the adrenal gland
pituitary adenoma
a benign tumor arising in the pituitary gland
Hodgkin disease
cancer of the immune system marked by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells (large, transformed pathogenic cells derived from B lymphocytes)
leukemia
cancer of the blood indicated by malignant increase in the number of white blood cells
lymphangioma
mass or tumor of lymphatic vessels
lymphoma
cancer the begins in immune system cells
non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)
any of a large group of cancers of lymphocytes; lymphoma other than Hodgkin disease
bronchogenic carcinoma; non-small cell carcinoma
lung cancer; cancer that arises from the lung or bronchial tract
mesothelioma
cancer of the epithelium lining the lungs (pleura) or the epithelium lining the heart (pericardium), usually associated with exposure to asbestos dust
oat cell carcinoma; small cell carcinoma
highly malignant form of lung or bronchogenic cancer in which cells appear small and rounded under a microscope
colon cancer
cancer that forms in the tissues of the colon
gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST)
benign or malignant tumor of the gastrointestinal tract, with most occurring in the stomach
bladder cancer
cancer that forms in the tissues of the urinary bladder
nephroma
tumor of the kidney
urothelial carcinoma; transitional cell carcinoma
cancer derived from the transitional epithelium, occurring mainly in the urinary bladder, ureters, or renal pelvis
Wilms tumor
malignant kidney cancer that affects children
ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS); intraductal carcinoma
form of cancer derived from the epithelial lining of ducts in the breast; in most cases, it is confined to the ducts (in situ means “in place”) and does not spread into the surrounding breast tissue
germ cell tumor (GCT)
cancerous or noncancerous neoplasm derived from the germ cells (sex cells) of the ovaries
alpha fetoprotein (AFP) test
blood test for substance produced by tumor cells in the body; found in elevated levels in patients with ovarian cancer
estrogen receptor test
blood test for a type of protein present on some breast cancer cells to which estrogen attaches; if cells have estrogen receptors, they need estrogen to grow, and knowing this determines treatment type
human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) test
blood test for the substance that, in elevated levels, may indicate cancer in the testis, ovary, liver, stomach, pancreas, or lung
Papanicolaou (Pap) test
microscopic examination of cells collected from the vagina and cervix to detect abnormal changes (ex. cancer)
prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test
blood test for substance produced only by the prostate; elevated levels may indicate prostate cancer in early stages
tumor marker test
various blood tests for specific substances produced by certain types of tumors
biopsy
the process of removing tissue from living patients for diagnostic examination
fine-needle aspiration (FNA)
procedure of withdrawing cells from a lesion for examination with a fine needle on a syringe
radionuclide scan
imaging scan in which a small amount of radioactive substance is injected into the vein; a machine measures levels of radioactivity in certain organs, which may indicate abnormal areas or tumors
sentinel lymph node biopsy
removal and examination of the sentinel nodes, which are the first lymph nodes to which cancer cells are likely to spread from a primary tumor
single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scan
type of nuclear imaging test that shows how blood flows to tissues and organs; can help identify certain types of tumors
punch biopsy
removal of a small oval core of skin for laboratory analysis using a sharp, hollow instrument
shave biopsy
removal of a sample of skin for laboratory analysis using a scalpel to slice the specimen from the site
bone scan
technique used to create images of bone by injecting the patient with radioactive dye that is taken by bone tissue
bone marrow aspiration and biopsy
procedure in which a small sample of bone marrow and bone is removed for evaluation using a special needle that is pushed into the bone
stereotactic biopsy
precise procedure that uses a computer and three-dimensional scanner to find a tumor and remove it
bone marrow aspiration
removal of a small amount of fluid and cells from inside the bone with a needle and syringe
bone marrow biopsy
removal and evaluation of a small amount of bone along with fluid and cells from inside the bone
lumbar puncture (LP)
the process of inserting a needle into the subarachnoid space of the lumbar spine to obtain cerebrospinal fluid for analysis; used to determine if leukemic cells are present
lymph node biopsy
removal of lymph node tissue for pathologic evaluation
thoracoscopy; pleuroscopy
endoscopic examination of the pleural cavity made through a small opening in the chest wall
cholescintigraphy; hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan
imaging test used to examine the function of the liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts
endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
procedure using x-ray and injectable dye to examine disorders in the bile ducts, gallbladder, and pancreas
endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
procedure using an ultrasound imaging device on the tip of an endoscope for evaluation of the bowel wall and adjacent structures
magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)
procedure using magnetic resonance imaging and an injectable dye to examine problems in the bile ducts, gallbladder, and pancreas
digital rectal examination (DRE)
examination in which the clinician inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum to check for anatomic structures for abnormalities
prostate biopsy
a procedure in which prostate gland tissue samples are removed from the body for examination under a microscope to determine whether cancerous or other abnormal cells are present
transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)
ultrasound imaging of the prostate done through the rectum; used to diagnose prostate cancer
cervical conization; cone biopsy
biopsy of the cervix in which a cone-shaped sample of tissue is removed from the cervix
colposcopy
visual examination of the tissues of the cervix and vagina using a lighted microscope (colposcope) to identify abnormal cell growth and if necessary, remove a tissue sample for biopsy
endometrial biopsy
procedure whereby a sample of the endometrium of the uterus is removed from the body and examined under a microscope; used to check for uterine cancer
mammography
an x-ray examination of the breasts; used to detect breast tumors
brachytherapy; seed implantation
procedure by which radioactive “seeds” are placed inside cancerous tissue and positioned to kill nearby cancer cells
cryosurgery
the use of freezing temperatures to destroy tissue
debulking surgery
excision of a major part of a tumor that cannot be completely removed
palliative surgery
surgery that is performed to relieve pain or other symptoms but not to cure the cancer or prolong a patient’s life
radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
procedure in which a surgical oncologist (cancer specialist) uses a small probe to deliver heat from radiofrequency energy to kill cancerous tissue; used primarily to treat liver, prostate, kidney, bone, and breast cancer
reconstructive surgery
surgery performed to return function and appearance to a specific area of the body after removal of a tumor
Mohs surgery
surgical procedure that involves removing and examining a piece of tumor in the skin bit by bit until the entire lesion is removed
amputation
surgical removal of an entire limb
limb salvage surgery
surgical procedure in which o ly the cancerous section of bone is removed but nearby muscles, tendons, and other structures are left intact
craniectomy
excision of part of the cranium to access the brain
stereotactic radiosurgery
radiation therapy technique for treating brain tumors by aiming high-dose radiation beams directly at the tumors
enucleation
removal of an eyeball
iridectomy
excision of part of the iris (for very small melanomas)
parathyroidectomy
excision of all or some of the parathyroid glands
thyroidectomy
excision of the thyroid gland
transsphenoidal resection
excision of a pituitary adenoma by making an incision through the sphenoid bone (the nose to the bottom of the skull) where the pituitary gland is located
bone marrow transplant (BMT)
transfer of bone marrow from one person to another
peripheral stem cell transplant
the collection and freezing of stem cells from the blood, which are then reintroduced into the patient after chemotherapy
lymphadenectomy
excision of a lymph node
laryngectomy
excision of all or part of the larynx, usually to treat cancer of the larynx
lobectomy
excision of a lobe (of the lung)
pneumonectomy
excision of the lung
wedge resection
excision of part of a lobe of the lung
colectomy
excision of all or part of the colon
esophagectomy
excision of the diseased portion of the esophagus and all associated tissues that might contain cancer
gastrectomy; Billroth operation
excision of part or all of the stomach
pancreaticoduodenectomy; Whipple operation
excision of all or part of the pancreas together with the duodenum and usually the distal stomach
cystectomy
surgical removal of part or all of the bladder
fulguration
destruction of tissue by means of high-frequency electric current; commonly used to remove tumors from inside the bladder
nephrectomy
excision of a kidney
transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURB)
excision of a tumor from the bladder through the urethra using a resectoscope
prostatectomy; transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
removal of the prostate tissue through the urethra using a resectoscope
loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP)
gynecologic procedure that uses a thin, low-voltage electrified wire loop to cut out cancerous tissue in the cervix
mastectomy
excision of a breast done to remove a malignant tumor
modified radical mastectomy
excision of a breast along with some of the underlying muscle and lymph nodes in the adjacent armpit
radical mastectomy
excision of the breast as well as the underlying muscles and lymph nodes in the adjacent armpit
simple mastectomy
excision of a breast, leaving the underlying muscles and the lymph nodes intact
myomectomy
excision of a myoma (benign neoplasm), specifically a uterine myoma
external beam radiation
procedure by which a beam of high-energy radiation is applied externally directly to the tumor to minimize damage to other tissues
radiation therapy
the use of high-energy x-rays or other particles to kill cancer cells
aromatase inhibitors
group of drugs designed to reduce estrogen levels in a woman’s body and stop the growth of cancer cells that depend on estrogen to live and grow
chemoprevention
the use of drugs or other agents to inhibit or prevent disease
chemotherapy
regimen of therapy that uses chemicals to treat cancer
adjuvant chemotherapy
chemotherapy given in addition to surgery to destroy remaining residual tumor or to reduce residual tumor
interstitial chemotherapy
placement of chemotherapy drugs directly into a tumor
intrathecal chemotherapy
delivery of chemotherapy drugs into the subarachnoid space by lumbar puncture
palliative chemotherapy
chemotherapy that is given to relieve pain or other symptoms of cancer but not cure it
epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor therapy
drugs that interfere with the growth of individual cancer cells
hormonal therapy
use of hormones to stop a tumor from growing, to relieve symptoms caused by a tumor, or to replace the hormone that is needed by the body to function properly after a body part is removed due to cancer
immunotherapy; biologic therapy
method of boosting the body’s natural defenses to fight cancer by using materials made either by the body or in a laboratory to bolster, target, or restore immune system function
gynecologic oncology
medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of cancers of the female reproductive system
medical oncology
medical specialty concerned with the use of medical and chemotherapeutic treatments of cancer
oncology
medical specialty concerned with the physical, chemical, and biologic properties and features of cancers
pediatric oncology
medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancers and blood diseases
radiation oncology
radiologic specialty concerned with radiation treatment as the main mode of treatment for cancer
surgical oncology
surgical specialty concerned with the surgical aspects of cancer
AFP
alpha fetoprotein
BCC
basal cell carcinoma
BMT
bone marrow transplant
CA
cancer, carcinoma
DCIS
ductal carcinoma in situ
DRE
digital rectal examination
EGFR
epidermal growth factor receptor
ERCP
endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
EUS
endoscopic ultrasound
FNA
fine-needle aspiration
GCT
germ cell tumor
GIST
gastrointestinal stromal tumor
hCG
human chorionic gonadotropin
HIDA
hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid
LEEP
loop electrosurgical excision procedure
LP
lumbar puncture
MEN
multiple endocrine neoplasia
MRCP
magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography
NHL
non-Hodgkin lymphoma
PSA
prostate-specific antigen
SCC
squamous cell carcinoma
SPECT
single photon emission computed tomography
TNM staging
tumor node metastasis
TRUS
transrectal ultrasound
TURB
transurethral resection of bladder tumor
TURP
transurethral resection of prostate
UV
ultraviolet
RFA
radiofrequency ablation
