Cancer-Related Dictionary

A fecal occult blood test (FOBT) is a non-invasive medical screening exam used to detect the presence of hidden (occult) blood in the stool, not visible to the naked eye. This test is often used as an early detection method for colorectal cancer, as abnormal bleeding may be an indication of polyps or tumors.

Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) is a medical procedure where a thin, hollow needle is inserted into a lump or suspicious area to extract a sample of cells or fluid for microscopic examination. Typically used in cancer diagnostics, it helps physicians accurately identify any abnormalities.

Flow cytometry is a biophysical technology used in cell counting, cell sorting, biomarker detection, and protein engineering. It allows simultaneous multi-parametric analysis of physical and chemical characteristics of up to thousands of particles per second. This technique is widely used in diagnosing health disorders, especially those related to the immune system and blood.