Oncology (Cancer Medicine) Flashcards
adjuvant
a substance, especially a drug, added to a prescription to assist in the action of the main ingredient.
adjuvant therapy
treatment of a disease with a substance, especially a drug, that enhances the main ingredient. For example, chemotherapy may be used as adjuvant therapy to radiation
anaplasia
a change in the structure and orientation of cells characterized by a loss of specialization and reversion to a more primitive form
antimetabolite
a class of antineoplastic drugs to treat cancer. These drugs are most effective against rapidly growing tumors.
antineoplastic
of or pertaining to a substance, procedure, or measure that prevents the proliferation of malignant cells.
benign
noncancerous and therefore not an immediate threat, even though treatment eventually may be required for health or cosmetic reasons; not life threatening.
cancer
a neoplasm characterized by the uncontrolled growth of anaplastic cells that tend to invade surrounding tissue and to metastasize to distant body sites
carcinogen
a substance or agent that causes the development or increases the incidence of cancer.
carcinoma
a malignant neoplasm
carcinoma in situ (CIS)
a premalignant neoplasm that has not invaded the basement membrane but shows cytologic characteristic of cancer
chemotherapy
the use of chemical agents to destroy cancer cells on a selective basis
cytotoxic
pertaining to being destructive to cells
dedifferentiation
a change in the structure and orientation of cells characterized by a loss of specialization and reversion to a more primitive form
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
a large nucleic acid molecule found principally in the chromosomes of the nucleus of a cell that is the carrier of genetic information
differentiation
a process in development in which unspecialized cells or tissues are systemically modified and altered to achieve specific and characteristic physical forms, physiologic functions, and chemical properties.
encapsulated
enclosed in fibrous or membranous sheaths
fractionation
in radiology, the division of the total dose of radiation into small doses administered at intervals in an effort to minimize tissue damage.
hyperplasia
an increase in the number of cells of a body part (“excessive formation”).
infiltrative
possessing the ability to invade or penetrate adjacent tissue
invasive
characterized by a tendency to spread, infiltrate, and intrude.
ionizing radiation
high-energy X-rays that can kill cells or retard their growth
linear accelerator
an apparatus for accelerating charged subatomic particles used in radiotherapy, physics research , and the production of radionuclides.
lumpectomy
surgical removal of only tumor and the immediate adjacent breast tissue; a method of treatment for breast cancer when detected in the early stage of the disease.
malignant
tending to become worse and cause death
metastasis
the process by which tumor cells spread to distant parts of the body.
mitosis
a type of cell division that results in the formation of two genetically identical daughter cells
mixed-tissue tumor
a growth of more than one type of neoplastic tissue.
modality
a method of application (i.e., a treatment method)
morbidity
an illness or abnormal condition or quality.
mutation
a change or transformation in a gene
neoplasm
any abnormal growth of new tissue, benign or malignant
oncogene
a gene in a virus that can cause a cell to become malignant
oncogenesis
the formation of a tumor
oncologist
the physician who specializes in the study and treatment of neoplastic diseases, particularly cancer
oncology
the medical specialty concerned with the study of malignancy.
papillary
of or pertaining to a papilla (nipplelike projection)
papilloma
a benign epithelial neoplasm characterized by a branching or lobular tumor
pedunculated
pertaining to a structure with a stalk
protocol
a written plan or description of the steps to be taken in a particular situation, such as conducting research.
radiation
the emission of energy, rays, or waves.
radiocurable tumor
pertaining to the susceptibility of tumor cells to destruction by ionizing radiation
radioresistant tumor
a tumor that resist the effects of radiation
radioresponsive tumor
a tumor that reacts favorably to radiation
radiosensitive tumor
a tumor capable of being changed by or reacting to radioactive emissions such as X-rays, alpha particles, or gamma rays
radiotherapy
the treatment of disease by using X-rays or gamma rays
relapse
to exhibit again the symptoms of a disease from which a patient appears to have recovered
remission
the partial or complete disappearance of the symptoms of a chronic or malignant disease
ribonucleic acid (RNA)
a nucleic acid found in both the nucleus and cytoplasm of cells that transmits genetic instructions from the nucleus to the cytoplasm
arcoma
a malignant neoplasm of the connective and supportive tissues of the body, usually first presenting as a painless swelling
scirrhous
pertaining to a carcinoma with a hard structure
sessile
attached by a base rather than by a stalk or a peduncle.
staging
the determination of distinct phases or periods in the course of a disease.
stem cell
a formative cell; a cell whose daughter cells may give rise to other cell types.
tumor
a new growth of tissue characterized by progressive, uncontrolled proliferation (growth) of cells. The tumor may be localized or invasive, benign or malignant
verrucous
rough; warty
basal cell carcinoma
a malignant epithelial cell tumor that begins as a slightly elevated nodule with a depression or ulceration in the center that becomes more obvious as the tumor grows. As the depression enlarges, the tissue breaks down, crusts and bleeds.
breast cancer (carcinoma of the breast)
a malignant tumor of the breast tissue. The most common type, ductal carcinoma, originates in the mammary ducts.
bronchogenic carcinoma
a malignant lung tumor that originates in the bronchi; lung cancer.
cervical carcinoma
a malignant tumor of the cervix.
colorectal cancer
the presence of a malignant neoplasm in the large intestine
endometrial carcinoma
malignant tumor of the inner lining of the uterus; also known as adenocarcinoma of the uterus.
lymphoma
a lymphoid tissue neoplasm that is typically malignant, beginning with a painless enlarged lymph node(s) and progressing to anemia, weakness, fever, and weight loss.
Kaposi’s sarcoma
rare malignant lesions that begin as soft, purple-brown nodules or plaques on the feet and gradually spread throughout the skin
malignant melanoma
malignant skin tumor originating from melanocytes in preexising nevi(moles), freckles, or skin with pigment; darkly pigmented cancerous tumor.
neuroblastoma
a highly malignant tumor of the sympathetic nervous system.
oral leukoplakia
a precancerous lesion occurring anywhere in the mouth
ovarian carcinoma
a malignant tumor of the ovaries, most commonly occurring in women in their 50’s.
pancreatic cancer
a life-threatening primary malignant neoplasm typically found in the heard of the pancreas.
prostatic cancer (carcinoma of the prostate)
malignant growth within the prostate gland, creating pressure on the upper part of the urethra. It is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men.
renal cell carcinoma
a malignant tumor of the kidney, occurring in adulthood
squamous cell carcinoma
a malignancy of the squamous cells of the epithelial tissue, which is a much faster growing cancer than basal cell carcinoma and has a greater potential for metastasis if not treated.
testicular cancer (carcinoma of the testes)
a malignant tumor of the testicle that appears as a painless lump in the testicle
thyroid cancer (caner of the thyroid gland)
malignant tumor of the thyroid gland that leads to dysfunction of the gland and thus inadequate or excessive secretion of the thyroid hormone
tumors, intracranial
may occur in any structural region of the brain and may be malignant or benign. They are classified as primary or secondary and are name according to the tissue from which they originate.
tumors, metastatic intracranial
tumors occurring as a result of metastasis from a primary site such as a lung or breast.
tumors, primary intracranial
tumors that arise from gliomas (malignant glial cells that are a support for nerve tissue) or from the meninges are known as primary intracranial tumors
Wilms’ tumor
a malignant tumor of the kidney occurring predominately in childhood
chemotherapy
the use of cytotoxic drugs and chemicals to achieve a cure, decrease tumor size, provide relief of pain, or slow metastasis
immunotherapy
agents that are capable of changing the relationship between a tumor and the host are known as biological response modifiers (BRMs). These agents are used to strengthen the individual’s immune responses
Mohs surger
is an advanced treatment procedure for skin cancer. The cancerous tumor is remove din stages, the tissue is examined for evidence of cancer, and additional tissue is removed until negative boundaries are confirmed. This process allows the surgeon to excise the tumor, remove layers of tissue, and examine the fresh tissue immediately. Only tissue containing cancer is removed and the healthy tissue is kept intact.
radiation therapy
the use of ionizing radiation to interrupt cellular growth. The goal of radiation therapy is to reach maximum tumor control with minimum normal tissue damage.
surgery
in more that 90% of all cancers, this is used for diagnosing and staging. In more that 60% of all cancers, it is the primary treatment. When feasible, the primary tumor is excised in its entirety
Bx
biopsy
bx
biopsy
Ca
cancer
CEA
carcinoembryonic antigen
DES
diethylstilbestrol
DNA
deoxyribonucleic acid
mets
metastasis
NHL
non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Pap smear
a simple smear method of examining stained exfoliative cells; the Papanicolaou test
PSA
prostate-specific antigen
RNA
ribonucleic acid
RTx
radiation therapy
TNM
tumor, nodes, and metastasis (a system for staging malignant neoplastic disease)
