Cancer-Related Dictionary

Immuno-oncology is a subfield of medical research that explores the body's immune system's potential to fight cancer. It investigates how cancer manipulates the immune system and ways to harness the immune response to destroy cancer cells. Its therapies have revolutionized cancer treatment.

Immunogenicity refers to the ability of a substance, such as a vaccine or therapeutic protein, to provoke an immune response in the body. This response can be beneficial, as in the case of vaccines, or undesirable, as it can lead to adverse reactions or reduce the effectiveness of treatments.

Immunoglobulin refers to any class of proteins, produced by the immune system, that function as antibodies in the response to an invasion by foreign substances, such as bacteria and viruses. They play a crucial role in identifying and neutralizing these pathogens, enhancing immune responses.

Infertility is defined as the inability to achieve a successful pregnancy after a 12-month period of appropriately timed, unprotected intercourse. It is well established that it can result from various cancer treatments. Patients who received alkylating agents, cisplatin, and other heavy metal-containing chemotherapy are at risk. Radiation therapy to the hypothalamus/pituitary axis, ovaries, or testes has the potential to significantly increase this risk. One’s own fertility status can be checked via fertility tests but there is no absolute way to test for future fertility potential in either cancer survivors or the general population. Ovarian reserve tests only provide indirect estimates and do not predict natural fertility potential in regularly ovulating women, and likewise, semen analysis cannot absolutely predict sterility in males.

Intraductal papilloma is a small, benign tumor that forms in the milk ducts of the breast, close to the nipple. It might cause nipple discharge and discomfort, but it's not cancerous. However, it can slightly increase the risk of developing breast cancer in the future.

Invasive cancer refers to a type of cancer that has spread beyond the layer of tissue where it initially developed and started invading surrounding, healthy tissues. It's also known as infiltrating cancer. Notably, it is more serious than in situ (noninvasive) cancer, which remains within its original location.