Cancer Dictionary

An oncovirus is a type of virus that can cause cancer. This happens when the viruses alter the cell regulatory genes, leading to uncontrolled cell growth and division, which eventually forms a malignant tumor. Oncoviruses are responsible for approximately 12% of all human cancers.

A partial response refers to a situation where a patient experiences a regression of a disease or its symptoms but not to the extent of a complete eradication. It is commonly used in healthcare, particularly in cancer treatment, where it indicates a significant decrease in tumor size or disease markers but not their total disappearance.

Plasmacytoma refers to a malignant tumor formed by abnormal plasma cells, which are a type of white blood cells responsible for producing antibodies. These tumors often occur in the bone marrow and soft tissues. Although they are generally observed as isolated lesions, their occurrence could be an early sign of multiple myeloma, a cancer of plasma cells.

A "platelet count" is a lab test that measures the number of platelets, which are small blood cells that help in blood clotting, in a person's blood. It is used to diagnose diseases and monitor treatment effectiveness. Low or high platelet counts can indicate a medical condition that requires treatment.

"Precancerous" refers to cells that have abnormal changes and might transform into cancer over time, but are not yet cancerous themselves. This term is often used to describe conditions that significantly increase the risk of cancer, such as certain types of skin lesions or polyps in the colon. However, not all precancerous conditions will necessarily develop into cancer.

Prognosis refers to the likely course or outcome of a disease, condition, or patient's recovery based on the general outlook of the identified condition. It provides estimates about chances of recovery, disease progression, and survival rates based on factors such as patient's health, type of disease and treatment.

Grading in healthcare often refers to a system used to categorize the severity or progression of diseases, including cancer. It helps clinicians in determining the aggressiveness of the disease, its prognosis, and the most appropriate treatment approach. In broader terms, grading can also imply evaluating or assessing something in terms of quality, standard or performance.

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.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a protein that stimulates the growth of blood vessels. More specifically, it promotes angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones), vascular permeability, and endothelial cell growth. It plays a significant role in various biological processes, such as embryonic development and wound healing, but is also implicated in diseases like cancer.

Young adult cancer refers to any type of cancer that is diagnosed in individuals within the young adult age group, typically considered between the ages of 15 and 39. These cancers can have unique biological characteristics and often present specific challenges related to physical and emotional development, reproductive health, and long-term survivorship.

"Mammary" refers to the bodily system in mammals which produces milk for offspring. Most commonly, it is used to designate the mammary glands, which in females are the breasts. This system is crucial for nourishing newborns and plays a significant role in reproductive health. The word is often used in medical contexts related to lactation and breast health.

A placebo is a harmless, inactive substance or treatment given to a patient, often used in clinical trials as a control group. It's designed to resemble actual medication in appearance and administration, without therapeutic effects. Its aim is to measure the impact of belief on health outcomes and to isolate the efficacy of the actual treatment under consideration.

Cytokines are small proteins released by cells that have a specific effect on the interactions, communication or behavior of cells. They are key players in health and disease, particularly in immune responses. Cytokines aid cell to cell communication in immune responses and stimulate the movement of cells towards sites of inflammation, infection, and trauma.

White blood cells, also known as leukocytes, are crucial components of the immune system that defend the body against both infectious diseases and foreign materials. They originate from stem cells in the bone marrow and are partitioned into granulocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils) and non-granulocytes (lymphocytes, monocytes).

A Radiation Oncologist is a medical professional specialized in the use of radiation therapy to treat various types of cancer. They plan and administer the right dosage of radiation to accurately target the cancerous cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. They collaborate with other physicians in a multidisciplinary team to provide holistic cancer care.

A biomarker, short for biological marker, is a measurable indicator of some biological state or condition. It refers to a broad category of medical signs that can be observed from outside the patient, which can indicate the presence, severity, or progression of a disease or the effectiveness of treatment.

"Zinc Finger Protein" refers to a structure in proteins that enables them to interact with DNA, RNA, or other proteins. This structure contains a zinc ion, which stabilizes the fold. They play crucial roles in various biological functions, including gene regulation, DNA repair, and protein folding or assembly.

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.

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.

"HER2 positive" refers to a type of breast cancer that tests positive for a protein called Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2 (HER2). This protein promotes the growth of cancer cells, and its presence indicates a more aggressive form of the disease. Treatment generally includes targeted therapies, which specifically affect HER2 cells.

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are cancer cells that have detached from a primary tumor and circulate in the bloodstream. These cells have the potential to spread cancer to other parts of the body through a process known as metastasis, making them a significant focus of cancer research and diagnosis.

Perineural invasion refers to a pathological process where cancer cells invade the spaces surrounding nerves. Typically detected under a microscope during tissue exams, this process often indicates aggressive cancer and can lead to increased risk of recurrence post-treatment. It's commonly observed in various cancers like prostate, head & neck, colorectal, among others.

Clinical endpoints are specific events or outcomes in a clinical study that are used to determine the effect of a treatment. They are measurable and objective, such as survival rates, symptom improvement, or the occurrence of a disease.

Cytotoxic granules are specialized structures found in certain immune cells, such as cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells. These granules contain proteins that can destroy infected or cancerous cells, helping the immune system to protect the body from disease.

Prognostic factors are specific characteristics that help predict the likely outcome or course of a disease in a patient. These factors can include age, stage of disease, and specific biological markers, and they assist healthcare providers in determining the best treatment approach.

Protein biomarkers are specific proteins found in the body that can be measured and used to indicate a biological state, such as the presence of a disease or condition. They help in diagnosing diseases, predicting disease progression, and monitoring treatment responses.

Apoptotic bodies are small, membrane-bound vesicles that form when a cell undergoes apoptosis, which is a type of programmed cell death. During this process, the cell's components are broken down and packaged into these bodies, which are then typically engulfed and digested by nearby cells.

Acquired resistance refers to the ability of a disease-causing organism, such as bacteria or cancer cells, to develop resistance to a drug or treatment that was previously effective. This change occurs over time, often due to genetic mutations or adaptations that allow the organism to survive despite the presence of the treatment.

Cancer cachexia is a complex syndrome characterized by severe weight loss, muscle wasting, and loss of appetite, often seen in patients with advanced cancer. It is not simply a result of reduced food intake but involves metabolic changes that make it difficult for the body to maintain weight and muscle mass.

"CAYAs" is an acronym referring to "Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults," particularly in medical studies focusing on cancer patients under the age of 39.

Complete remission is a term used in medicine to describe the absence of all signs of cancer in response to treatment. While the disease is undetectable, it does not necessarily mean the cancer is cured, as it may still be present at a microscopic level.

Computational oncology is a field of medicine that uses computer-based models and simulations to understand cancer development, progression, and treatment. It combines data from various sources, such as genetic information and medical imaging, to create personalized treatment plans and improve patient outcomes.

Dyskeratosis is a medical condition characterized by the abnormal development of keratin in the skin, leading to changes in skin texture and appearance. It can be associated with various skin disorders and may involve genetic factors.

Ectopic ACTH syndrome is a condition where a tumor outside the pituitary gland produces adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), leading to excessive cortisol production and symptoms of Cushing's syndrome.

Extrinsic apoptosis is a process where cells are programmed to die as a way to control cell growth and maintain balance in the body. This process is triggered by external signals that activate death receptors on the cell surface, leading to a series of events that result in cell death.

Heterogeneity refers to the presence of diverse and distinct characteristics within a particular group or system. In a medical context, it often describes the differences in cells, tissues, or diseases, indicating variability in genetic, molecular, or clinical features.

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.

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. For all survivors, surveillance is recommended for: Depression and mood disorders Anxiety Psychological distress Post-traumatic stress Behavioral problems Suicidal ideation The guidelines recommend mental health surveillance for patients throughout treatment for cancer and for survivors to begin at the first follow-up visit and continue throughout the lifespan. Mental health surveillance is recommended for all survivors at every follow-up visit (or at general medical check-ups).

"Malignant" is an adjective commonly used in medical contexts, referring to a severe and progressively worsening disease, often cancer. It denotes conditions characterized by uncontrolled growth, induction of damage to surrounding tissues, and the potential to spread to other body organs, causing serious health risks and possibly death.

"Preclinical" refers to the phase of research conducted before a new drug or treatment is tested on humans. This stage involves laboratory experiments using cell cultures and animal testing to determine the efficacy, potential side effects, and optimal dosage. It is a fundamental step in drug development and policy-making in healthcare.

Renal angiomyolipoma is a benign tumor of the kidney composed of blood vessels, muscle, and fat. It is usually non-cancerous and often goes undetected unless it causes symptoms or complications.

Residual disease refers to the small amount of cancer cells that may remain in the body after treatment, which can lead to a recurrence if not effectively managed.

Risk stratification is a process used in healthcare to categorize patients based on their risk of developing certain diseases or complications. It helps doctors prioritize care and tailor treatments based on the level of risk.

Squamous metaplasia is a process where one type of mature cell is replaced by another type of mature cell. This usually occurs as an adaptation to chronic irritation or inflammation, where glandular cells transform into squamous cells, which are more resistant to such conditions.

Tumor burden refers to the total amount of cancer present in a person's body. It includes the size of the tumor, the number of cancerous cells, and the extent to which cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Tumor progression refers to the process by which a tumor grows and potentially becomes more aggressive, spreading to other parts of the body. This involves changes at the cellular level, where cancer cells divide uncontrollably, invade nearby tissues, and may metastasize to distant organs.

Viral oncogenesis refers to the process by which viruses can cause cancer in humans and animals. Certain viruses can alter the genetic material of cells, leading to uncontrolled cell growth and the development of tumors.

A breast duct papilloma is a small, benign tumor that forms in the milk ducts of the breast. It is often characterized by a wart-like growth and can cause nipple discharge or discomfort. While not cancerous, it may require removal to alleviate symptoms or rule out cancer.

A grading system is a method used by healthcare professionals to classify the severity or stage of a disease, particularly cancer, based on certain criteria such as cell appearance and behavior. This helps in determining the appropriate treatment plan and predicting the disease outcome.

A growth factor receptor is a protein found on the surface of certain cells that binds to specific growth factors. These receptors play a crucial role in regulating cell growth, division, and survival by transmitting signals from outside the cell to the inside.