Cancer-Related Dictionary

Debulking is a medical procedure used primarily in the treatment of cancer. It refers to the surgical removal of as much of the malignant tumor as possible, to lessen the bulk or reduce the total number of cancer cells. The goal is to increase the effectiveness of subsequent therapies (e.g., radiation, chemotherapy) or to alleviate symptoms.

Density-gradient centrifugation is a laboratory technique used to separate particles, such as cells or molecules, based on their density. By spinning a sample in a centrifuge with a gradient of densities, different components settle at different levels, allowing for their isolation and analysis.

Dental oncology is a specialized field of dentistry that focuses on the oral health care of patients who have cancer. It involves the diagnosis, prevention, and management of oral complications related to cancer and its treatment.

Ductal lavage is a medical procedure used to collect cells from the milk ducts of the breast. It involves flushing the ducts with a saline solution to obtain samples for analysis, primarily to assess the risk of breast cancer.