Cancer-Related Dictionary

Adjuvant endocrine therapy is a treatment used to reduce the risk of cancer coming back after primary treatments like surgery. It involves using hormone-blocking drugs to prevent cancer cells from growing, particularly in hormone-sensitive cancers like breast cancer.

Adjuvant chemotherapy is a treatment approach using drugs to kill cancer cells left in the body after primary treatments, such as surgery or radiation. This method is typically employed to lower the risk of cancer recurrence and improve the patient's overall survival rate.

Adjuvant therapy is a treatment given in addition to the primary (main) treatment, commonly used in cancer care to kill hidden or potential cancer cells and reduce the risk of the cancer returning. It can include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, or biological therapy.

An allogeneic bone marrow transplant is a medical procedure where a patient receives healthy blood-forming stem cells from a genetically similar, but not identical, donor to replace their damaged or diseased bone marrow.

An allogeneic stem cell transplant is a medical procedure where a patient receives blood-forming stem cells from a genetically similar, but not identical, donor. This treatment is often used for conditions affecting the bone marrow or blood, such as leukemia and lymphoma.

Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) is a treatment approach primarily used for prostate cancer. It works by reducing or blocking the production or action of androgens, male sex hormones like testosterone, which can promote the growth of cancer cells. ADT can be administered through surgery, medications, or hormone therapy and is effective in slowing down or stopping cancer progression.

Anti-emetic refers to a type of medication used primarily to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting, symptoms often associated with motion sickness, chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Such drugs work by blocking neurotransmitters that trigger these unpleasant sensations. Thus, they are critical in the management of postoperative and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

Anti-estrogen refers to a substance that blocks the production or utilization of estrogens, or inhibits their effects. They are commonly used in treatments for hormonal imbalances, such as those related to menopause, or for certain types of hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer.

Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) is a process where immune cells target and destroy cells that are marked by antibodies. This mechanism is crucial for eliminating infected or cancerous cells in the body.

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are targeted cancer therapeutics that combine an antibody specific to a tumor-associated antigen with a cytotoxic drug designed to kill cancer cells. They allow precise drug delivery, reducing damage to healthy tissues and potentially improving treatment effectiveness and reducing side effects.

Antimetabolites are a class of drugs that inhibit the function of natural metabolites, vital substances for cellular processes, leading to cell destruction. Commonly used in chemotherapy, these drugs target rapidly dividing cancer cells, slowing or stopping their growth. They mimic natural substances, interfering with DNA synthesis, which hinders cell replication.

Apoptosis inhibitors are substances that prevent or delay the process of apoptosis, which is the programmed cell death essential for maintaining healthy cell turnover and development in the body. These inhibitors can be used in medical treatments to protect cells from premature death, especially in diseases where cell survival is compromised.

An "Aromatase Inhibitor" is a class of drugs used in the treatment of breast cancer and ovarian cancer in postmenopausal women. These drugs work by blocking the enzyme aromatase, which the body utilizes to produce estrogen, a hormone that can stimulate the growth of certain types of cancer cells. Therefore, by reducing estrogen levels, these inhibitors can slow or halt the growth of cancers.