Cancer Dictionary

Chemotherapy is a medical treatment involving the use of powerful drugs to target and inhibit the rapid growth of cancer cells within the body. This approach aims to stop or slow down the progression of cancer by disrupting the cell division process and damaging the DNA of cancer cells, ultimately preventing their ability to replicate and spread. While chemotherapy's effectiveness can vary depending on the type and stage of cancer, it plays a crucial role in the comprehensive treatment of cancer, often used in conjunction with other therapies like surgery, radiation, and targeted therapies.

Neuro-oncology is a specialized branch of medicine that focuses on the study, diagnosis, and treatment of tumors affecting the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord. Practitioners in neuro-oncology, known as neuro-oncologists, are medical professionals who specialize in understanding and managing tumors of the nervous system. This field involves collaboration between neurologists, neurosurgeons, oncologists, and other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care for individuals with brain and spinal cord tumors. The goal of neuro-oncology is to improve the understanding of the underlying mechanisms of these tumors, enhance diagnostic methods, and develop effective treatment strategies to improve outcomes for patients with neuro-oncological conditions.

Neuroblastoma is a rare form of pediatric cancer that originates in the adrenal glands and develops from immature nerve cells found in several areas of the body, including the adrenal glands, chest, abdomen, or spine. It predominantly affects children under the age of five and accounts for a disproportionate number of infant cancer deaths.