Cancer-Related Dictionary

Laryngeal cancer is a type of throat cancer that specifically impacts the voice box, or larynx. It typically forms in squamous cells lining the larynx, affecting breathing, swallowing and voice quality. Risk factors include smoking, excessive alcohol, and certain strains of HPV. Treatment often involves surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. As an aggressive disease, early detection significantly improves prognosis.

Leukemia is a group of blood cancer types that primarily affect the bone marrow and white blood cells. It occurs when the body's bone marrow produces an excessive number of abnormal white blood cells, inhibiting the production of red blood cells and platelets, important for proper bodily function. This interferes with the body's ability to fight infections, clot blood, and transport oxygen.

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.

Liposarcoma is a rare type of cancer that originates in the fat cells. It often affects the limbs or the abdomen but can manifest in other parts of the body. Its growth may be slow and initially unnoticed, but it can eventually interfere with organ function or movement. Treatment options typically involve surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.

A lobectomy refers to a type of surgery where a lobe or a portion of an organ is removed. It is most commonly associated with the removal of a lobe of the lung due to conditions such as lung cancer, but it can also apply to other organs like the thyroid, liver, or brain. The procedure aims to treat disease and improve health.

Lobular carcinoma is a type of breast cancer that originates from the lobules, which are the glands that produce milk in the breast. It's the second most common type of breast cancer, often growing more slowly and less likely to form a lump than the more common type, ductal carcinoma. Largely affecting postmenopausal women, it can also spread to other parts of the body.

Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) is a condition that indicates the presence of abnormal cells in the lobules of the breast. Although not a cancer itself, LCIS is considered a marker for increased risk of developing breast cancer in the future. It's often detected during a biopsy for another breast condition or during a mammogram.

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.

A low-grade glioma is a type of brain tumor that originates from glial cells, which support nerve cells. These tumors are considered slow-growing and less aggressive compared to high-grade gliomas, but they can still cause significant health issues depending on their size and location in the brain.

A lumpectomy is a surgical procedure performed to remove a discrete portion or "lump" of tissue, usually a breast tumor, from an afflicted individual. It is often employed as an effective treatment for early-stage cancer, retaining most of the breast tissue and offering a less invasive alternative to mastectomy.

Lung cancer is a type of malignant disease characterised by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both lungs, specifically in the tissues or air passages. It can be primarily caused by smoking, but non-smokers can get it too due to reasons like exposure to radon gas or secondhand smoke. It's often fatal due to late-stage diagnosis, making early detection crucial.

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.

Lymphatic mapping is a medical procedure used to identify the lymph nodes that are the first to receive drainage from a tumor. These nodes, called sentinel lymph nodes, are examined to determine if cancer has spread.

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.

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that originates in the lymphatic system, an essential component of the body's immune system. It specifically develops in lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that fights infections. There are two main types - Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Symptoms typically include swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss.

Lymphomatoid papulosis is a rare skin disorder characterized by recurring, self-healing skin lesions that resemble lymphoma but are typically benign. These lesions can appear as red-brown bumps or nodules on the skin and may last for weeks or months before resolving on their own.

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.