Cancer-Related Dictionary

A "Lipoma" is a benign and typically slow-growing tumor made of fatty tissue. It often appears under the skin and can feel soft to touch. Most commonly found in adults between 40 to 60 years old, lipomas can form anywhere on the body but are usually located on the shoulders, neck, or trunk. They are generally harmless and may only need removal for cosmetic reasons or if they cause discomfort or impede movements.

Long-term follow-up (LTFU) care is important for childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors due to their high risk of late effects. LTFU includes prevention, early detection, and management of late effects to improve the quality of survivorship. Additionally, follow-up provides an opportunity to offer age-appropriate information about disease, treatment, and a healthy lifestyle, as well as practical advice about insurance, education or work, and psychosocial support. Current LTFU guidelines for mental health problems note that healthcare providers and survivors of childhood, adolescent and young adult cancer should be aware that survivors are at risk for mental disorder symptoms.

Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped structures that act as filters for harmful substances and are essential to the immune system. They produce immune cells to fight infections and trap viruses, bacteria, and other causes of illnesses before they can infect other parts of the body.

The lymphatic system, a vital part of the immune system, comprises a network of lymphatic vessels that carry a clear fluid called lymph. It is responsible for removing toxins and waste from the body, transporting white blood cells to fight infections, and facilitating the absorption of fat and fat-soluble vitamins from the digestive system.

Lymphatic vessels are an integral part of the human body's immune system. These thin-walled structures are akin to a network of tubes that assist in circulating lymph, a bodily fluid containing white blood cells that fight infections. They facilitate the removal of toxins and waste from the body's tissues, ultimately draining the lymph into the bloodstream.

Lymphedema is a medical condition characterized by chronic swelling, typically in the arms or legs, due to a blockage in the lymphatic system that prevents lymph fluid from draining adequately. The blockage leads to an accumulation of fluid causing swelling. It often arises as a complication of cancer treatments like surgery or radiation. Being a long-term condition, it requires continuous management.

A lymphoblast is an immature cell that originates from the lymphoid line of blood cells and is at the earliest stage of lymphocyte development in the bone marrow. It is generated as part of the body's immune response and transforms into a lymphocyte upon maturation. Lymphoblasts play a crucial role in managing infections and diseases. However, their overproduction can lead to certain types of leukemia.

Lynch syndrome, also known as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), is a type of inherited cancer syndrome associated with a genetic predisposition to different cancer types. It drastically increases the risk of cancers, primarily colorectal and endometrial but also ovarian, stomach, and other organs. The syndrome is caused by mutations in the mismatch repair genes.