Cancer Dictionary

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.

Tumor vasculature refers to the network of blood vessels that supply nutrients and oxygen to a tumor, enabling its growth and survival. This vascular system is often abnormal compared to normal tissue vasculature, with irregular structure and function.

Urethral cancer is a rare type of cancer that occurs in the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. It can cause symptoms such as difficulty urinating, blood in the urine, and pelvic pain.

VEGF inhibitors are medications that block the action of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a protein that promotes blood vessel formation. These inhibitors are used to treat various conditions, primarily certain types of cancer and eye diseases, by restricting the growth of blood vessels that supply nutrients to tumors or affect vision.

Vaccine therapy is a treatment approach that uses vaccines to stimulate the body's immune system to fight diseases, particularly infections and certain types of cancer.

Valrubicin is a chemotherapy drug used primarily to treat bladder cancer that has not responded to other treatments. It works by interfering with the growth of cancer cells, slowing or stopping their spread.

Vascular sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that originates in the cells that make up blood vessels. It can occur in any part of the body but is most commonly found in the skin, liver, or deep tissues. This cancer is known for its aggressive nature and potential to spread quickly to other parts of the body.

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.

Visceral metastasis refers to the spread of cancer cells from the original tumor site to the internal organs such as the liver, lungs, or brain. This process indicates an advanced stage of cancer and requires specialized treatment strategies.

A zinc finger nuclease is a type of engineered protein that can cut DNA at specific sites, allowing for precise genetic modifications. These proteins combine a zinc finger DNA-binding domain with a DNA-cleaving enzyme, enabling targeted editing of genes.

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.

A haploidentical donor is a family member whose tissue type matches exactly half of the recipient's human leukocyte antigen (HLA) markers, used often in bone marrow transplants when a fully matched donor is not available.

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 sentinel lymph node biopsy is a surgical procedure used to determine if cancer has spread beyond a primary tumor into the lymphatic system. It involves identifying, removing, and examining the sentinel lymph nodes, which are the first nodes to which cancer cells are likely to spread from a primary tumor.

A thyroid lobectomy is a surgical procedure where one lobe (half) of the thyroid gland is removed. This is often done when there is a suspicious nodule or tumor, or for treating certain thyroid conditions.

A tumor board is a group of medical experts from various specialties who collaborate to discuss and plan the best treatment approach for patients with complex cancer cases. This multidisciplinary team typically includes oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, surgeons, and other healthcare professionals.

A wedge resection is a surgical procedure where a small, wedge-shaped piece of tissue is removed from an organ, often used to treat lung conditions or diagnose lung cancer.

A yolk sac tumor is a rare type of cancer that typically occurs in the ovaries or testes. It is most commonly found in children and young adults and originates from germ cells, which are cells that develop into sperm or eggs.

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.

An oncogenic virus is a type of virus that can cause cancer by altering the genetic material of the host cells it infects. These viruses can disrupt normal cell regulation and lead to uncontrolled cell growth.

An ovarian germ cell tumor is a type of cancer that originates from the cells in the ovaries responsible for producing eggs. These tumors are rare and primarily affect young women and adolescents. While most ovarian germ cell tumors are benign, some can be malignant and require medical treatment.

An ultrasound-guided biopsy is a medical procedure where a doctor uses ultrasound imaging to guide a needle to a specific area of the body to collect a tissue sample for examination. This technique helps ensure accuracy and minimize damage to surrounding tissues.

Hedgehog pathway inhibitors are a class of drugs that block the Hedgehog signaling pathway, which is involved in cell growth and development. These inhibitors are primarily used in treating certain types of cancer where this pathway is abnormally activated.