Cancer Dictionary

Extrathyroidal extension refers to the spread of thyroid cancer beyond the thyroid gland into surrounding tissues. This can affect treatment options and prognosis.

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.

Follicular carcinoma is a type of thyroid cancer that arises from the follicular cells of the thyroid gland. It is generally slow-growing and often has a good prognosis when detected early.

Gene expression profiling is a technique used to measure the activity of thousands of genes at once to understand their involvement in various cellular processes. This information helps scientists and doctors determine how genes are turned on or off in different types of cells, which can be crucial for diagnosing diseases, understanding cancer progression, and personalizing treatments.

Gene silencing is a process through which a gene's expression is reduced or entirely prevented, meaning the gene is not used to make its protein product. This can occur naturally in cells or be induced artificially, and is a crucial mechanism for regulating gene activity and maintaining cellular function.

Gliosarcoma is a rare and aggressive type of brain tumor that contains both glial and sarcomatous components. It is a variant of glioblastoma and typically occurs in adults, often presenting with symptoms such as headaches, seizures, and neurological deficits.

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.

High-throughput sequencing, also known as next-generation sequencing, is a modern DNA sequencing technology that enables rapid sequencing of large amounts of DNA. It allows scientists to sequence entire genomes quickly and efficiently, making it an essential tool in genomics research and personalized medicine.

Homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) is a condition where cells lose the ability to effectively repair DNA double-strand breaks using the homologous recombination repair pathway. This deficiency can lead to genomic instability and is often associated with certain types of cancer, such as breast and ovarian cancers.

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.

Indolent lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system. It is characterized by slow growth and progression, which means it often takes years to become serious. Despite its slow nature, it can still require treatment and monitoring.

Intrathecal chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment where chemotherapy drugs are injected directly into the cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. This method is used to target cancer cells in the central nervous system.

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).

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.

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.

"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.

Marginal zone lymphoma is a type of slow-growing non-Hodgkin lymphoma that originates in the marginal zone of lymphoid tissue, which is part of the immune system. It often affects the spleen, lymph nodes, or mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) and is characterized by the abnormal proliferation of B-cells.

Mediastinal lymphoma is a type of cancer that occurs in the lymph nodes located in the mediastinum, the central part of the chest between the lungs. It involves the abnormal growth of lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cell, and can affect the body's immune system.

Melanoma in situ is an early form of skin cancer where the malignant cells are confined to the outermost layer of the skin, known as the epidermis. It is the earliest stage of melanoma and is highly treatable when detected early.

Molecular imaging is a type of medical imaging that provides detailed pictures of what is happening inside the body at the molecular and cellular level. This technique is used to visualize the processes in the body, such as how a disease progresses or how a treatment is working.

Non-invasive cancer, also known as in situ cancer, is a type of cancer that has not spread beyond the layer of cells where it initially developed. It remains confined to the place of origin and has not invaded neighboring tissues or metastasized to other parts of the body.

Current ovarian reserve tests include hormonal markers and ultrasonographic markers.  Hormonal markers: are determined in the blood after a blood sample is taken. Suitable markers are FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), estradiol, inhibin-B, and antimullerian hormone (AMH).  The measurement of FSH levels at 2 or 3 days after the onset of full menstrual flow has been used as a marker of ovarian reserve since the 1980s, based on its association with reproductive outcome. Elevated FSH values are associated with but not always predictive of poor ovarian response and failure to conceive. Estradiol is the natural estrogen of the woman and is responsible for the expression of the female secondary sexual characteristics. It is produced by granulosa cells of the ovarian follicles. Estradiol levels are commonly assessed during the early follicular phase and high levels indicate normal functioning. Inhibin is a peptide hormone with 2 subunits (Alpha and Beta). Inhibin-B is produced by granulosa cells of ovarian follicles and its levels vary during the menstrual cycle. Concentrations of inhibin-B decrease with age and during premature ovarian failure. AMH is a proteohormone and is produced by granulosa cells of the follicles. AMH shows little cycle fluctuation and correlates negatively with the progression of follicle loss and with a woman's age: the higher the AMH, the higher the follicle count.  Ultrasonographic markers: include the antral follicle count (AFC) and the measurement of ovarian volume, both assessed through ultrasound of the ovaries. The AFC describes the number of antral follicles in the ovaries measuring between 2–10mm. The greatest advantage of ultrasonographic markers of ovarian reserve is their non-invasiveness. Both markers exhibit an age-related decline.

Palliative chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment aimed at relieving symptoms and improving quality of life for patients with advanced cancer. It is not intended to cure the cancer but to manage pain and other symptoms.

Peritoneal carcinomatosis is a condition where cancer cells spread to the peritoneum, the lining of the abdominal cavity. This often occurs in advanced stages of abdominal cancers such as ovarian, gastric, or colorectal cancer, leading to symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, and weight loss.

Pleomorphic adenoma is a benign tumor that typically occurs in the salivary glands, most commonly in the parotid gland. It is characterized by a mix of different cell types and structures, hence the name 'pleomorphic.' While generally non-cancerous, it can become malignant if not treated.

"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.

Radiation fibrosis syndrome is a condition that occurs when healthy tissue becomes scarred and stiff after exposure to radiation therapy, commonly used in cancer treatment. This can lead to a range of symptoms depending on the area affected, including pain, restricted movement, and functional impairments.

Radiation necrosis is a condition where healthy tissue is damaged and dies as a result of exposure to radiation therapy, typically used in cancer treatment. This can lead to symptoms such as swelling, neurological deficits, and other complications depending on the area affected.

Rare cancers are types of cancer that occur infrequently, affecting a small percentage of the population. They can be challenging to diagnose and treat due to limited research and awareness.

Refractory cancer is a type of cancer that does not respond to treatment. It may continue to grow or spread despite therapy, making it challenging to manage.

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.

Retroperitoneal sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that develops in the connective tissues located in the retroperitoneal space, an area in the back of the abdomen behind the peritoneum, which is the lining of the abdominal cavity. These tumors can grow quite large before causing symptoms, as they have space to expand in the retroperitoneal area.

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.

Sarcomatoid carcinoma is a rare type of cancer that exhibits both carcinoma and sarcoma characteristics. It is an aggressive tumor that can occur in various organs and tissues, often presenting challenges in diagnosis and treatment due to its mixed cellular components.

Secondary cancer, also known as metastatic cancer, occurs when cancer cells spread from the original (primary) site to another part of the body. This process involves the movement of cancer cells through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, leading to the formation of new tumors in other organs or tissues. Secondary cancers retain the name of the primary cancer type, even though they appear in a different location.

Sentinel node mapping is a medical procedure used to identify the first lymph node, known as the sentinel node, that cancer cells are most likely to spread to from a primary tumor. This technique helps doctors determine the extent of cancer spread and plan appropriate treatment.

Serous carcinoma is a type of cancer that originates in the epithelial cells lining certain organs, most commonly the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the peritoneum. It is characterized by the production of a thin, watery fluid and is known for its aggressive nature and rapid spread.

Spindle cell carcinoma is a rare type of cancer characterized by spindle-shaped cells that can appear in various parts of the body, often resembling sarcomas due to their shape. It typically occurs in the skin or soft tissues and can be aggressive, requiring prompt medical attention.

Splenic lymphoma is a type of cancer that originates in the lymphatic tissue of the spleen, a vital organ involved in filtering blood and supporting the immune system. It is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell.

Sporadic cancer refers to cancer that occurs by chance and is not associated with inherited genetic mutations. Most cancers are sporadic, meaning they arise from genetic changes acquired during a person's lifetime due to environmental factors or random cell mutations.

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.

Superficial spreading melanoma is a common type of skin cancer that begins in the pigment-producing cells of the skin. It typically appears as a flat or slightly raised discolored patch with irregular borders and can grow outward across the surface of the skin before penetrating deeper layers.

Surgical staging is a procedure used to determine the extent of cancer spread within the body. It involves a surgeon examining tissues, organs, and sometimes lymph nodes during surgery to assess how far the cancer has progressed. This information helps doctors plan the most effective treatment strategy.

Survivorship care refers to the comprehensive healthcare and support provided to individuals who have completed initial cancer treatment. It focuses on monitoring for recurrence, managing long-term side effects, and addressing psychosocial needs to help survivors lead healthy lives.

Systemic therapy refers to the use of medication or treatment that affects the entire body rather than a specific area or part. It is commonly used to treat diseases that have spread throughout the body, such as cancer, by circulating through the bloodstream to reach cells in various locations.

Thymic carcinoma is a rare type of cancer that originates in the thymus gland, located in the upper chest. Unlike thymomas, which are typically benign, thymic carcinomas are malignant and can spread to other parts of the body.

Tissue microarrays are a laboratory technique used to analyze multiple tissue samples simultaneously on a single slide. This method allows researchers to study the expression of proteins or genes in various tissues efficiently, making it a valuable tool in cancer research and pathology.

Transoral robotic surgery is a minimally invasive surgical technique that uses robotic systems to remove tumors or perform procedures in the mouth and throat through the mouth, without external incisions.

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.