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Basic Word Structure
Chabner - The Language of Medicine Chapter 1
486
Medical
Undergraduate 1
11/01/2012

Additional Medical Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
-ac
Definition
pertaining to
Term
-al
Definition
pertaining to
Term
-algia
Definition
pain
Term
-cyte
Definition
cell
Term
-ectomy
Definition
excision, removal
Term
-emia
Definition
blood condition
Term
-genic
Definition
pertaining to, producting, produced by, or produced in
Term
-globin
Definition
protein
Term
-gram
Definition
record
Term
-ic, ical
Definition
pertaining to
Term
-ion
Definition
process
Term
-ist
Definition
swpecialist
Term
-itis
Definition
inflammation
Term
-logy
Definition
study of
Term
-oma
Definition
tumor, mass
Term
aden/o
Definition
gland
Term
adenitis
Definition
Inflammation of a gland.
Term
adenoma
Definition
Tumor of a gland.
Term
adenopathy
Definition
Disease of glands.
Term
anemia
Definition
A decrease in erythrocytes or hemoglobin.
Term
arthr/o
Definition
joint
Term
arthralgia
Definition
Pain of a joint.
Term
arthritis
Definition
Inflammation of a joint.
Term
autopsy
Definition
“Self-view”—examination of a dead body, understand its function.
Term
bi/o
Definition
life
Term
biology
Definition
Study of life.
Term
biopsy
Definition
Process of viewing life; removal of living tissue for microscopic examination.
Term
carcin/o
Definition
cancerous, cancer
Term
carcinogenic
Definition
Pertaining to producing cancer. From the Greek gennao meaning “I produce.”
Other words to help remember -genic are gene and genesis.
Term
carcinoma
Definition
Cancerous tumor.
Term
cardi/o
Definition
heart
Term
cardiac
Definition
Pertaining to the heart.
Term
cardiology
Definition
Study of the heart.
Term
cephal/o
Definition
head
Term
cephalic
Definition
Pertaining to the head.
Term
cerebr/o
Definition
cerebrum (largest part of the brain)
Term
cerebral
Definition
Pertaining to the brain
Term
cis/o
Definition
to cut
Term
crin/o
Definition
to secrete (to form and give off)
Term
cyst/o
Definition
urianry bladder; sac or cyst
Term
cystitis
Definition
Inflammation of the urinary bladder.
Term
cystoscopy
Definition
Process of visual examination of the urinary bladder
Term
cyt/o
Definition
cell
Term
cytology
Definition
Study of cells.
Term
derm/o
Definition
skin
Term
dermat/o
Definition
skin
Term
dermatitis
Definition
Inflammation of the skin
Term
dermatology
Definition
Study of skin
Term
diagnosis
Definition
State of complete knowledge; information gathered about a patient’s illness
(dia- = complete; gnos/o = knowledge; -sis = state of).
Term
electr/o
Definition
electricity
Term
electrocardiogram
Definition
Record of the electricity in the heart
Term
electroencephalogram
Definition
Record of the electricity of the brain.
Term
encephal/o
Definition
brain
Term
endocrine glands
Definition
Glands that secrete hormones within the body.
Term
endocrinologist
Definition
One who specializes in endocrine glands.
Term
endocrinology
Definition
Study of the endocrine glands.
Term
endoscope
Definition
Instrument to visually examine within (the body).
Term
endoscopy
Definition
Process of visually examining within (the body).
Term
enter/o
Definition
intestines (usually the small intestine)
Term
enteritis
Definition
Inflammation of the intestines
Term
enteropathy
Definition
Disease of the intestines.
Term
epidermis
Definition
Outer layer of skin; above the dermis layer.
Term
epigastric
Definition
Pertaining to above the stomach
Term
erythr/o
Definition
red
Term
erythrocyte
Definition
Red blood cell.
Term
excision
Definition
Process of cutting out; to resection.
Term
exocrine glands
Definition
Glands that secrete chemicals to the outside of the body.
Term
gastr/o
Definition
stomach
Term
gastrectomy
Definition
Removal of the stomach.
Term
gastric
Definition
Pertaining to the stomach.
Term
gastroenterology
Definition
A decrease in erythrocytes or hemoglobin.
Term
gastrotomy
Definition
Incision of the stomach.
Term
glyc/o
Definition
sugar
Term
gnos/o
Definition
knowledge
Term
gynec/o
Definition
woman, female
Term
gynecology
Definition
Study of females and female diseases.
Term
hem/o
Definition
blood
Term
hemat/o
Definition
blood
Term
hematology
Definition
Study of blood.
Term
hematoma
Definition
Collection (mass) of blood.
Term
hemoglobin
Definition
Blood protein found in red blood cells. Hemoglobin carries oxygen to the cells
from the lungs and carbon dioxide away from cells to the lungs.
Term
hepat/o
Definition
liver
Term
hepatitis
Definition
inflammation of the liver
Term
hepatoma
Definition
Tumor (malignant) of the liver
Term
hyperglycemia
Definition
Condition of increased blood sugar.
Term
hyperthyroidism
Definition
Condition of too much secretion of hormone (thyroxine) from the thyroid gland.
Term
hypodermic
Definition
Pertaining to under the skin.
Term
hypogastric
Definition
Pertaining to below the stomach.
Term
hypoglycemia
Definition
Condition of low blood sugar.
Term
iatr/o
Definition
treatment, physician
Term
iatrogenic
Definition
Pertaining to being produced by treatment. A rash occurring after
treatment with a drug, such as penicillin, is an iatrogenic condition.
A related term, nosocomial, refers to any infection acquired in a hospital
(nos/o means disease and -comial comes from the Greek “I take care of”).
Term
incision
Definition
Process of cutting into. Scissors cut.
Term
leuk/o
Definition
white
Term
leukemia
Definition
Blood condition of white cells; malignant (cancerous) condition
Term
leukocyte
Definition
white blood cell
Term
leukocytosis
Definition
Abnormal condition (slight increase) of normal white blood cells.
Term
log/o
Definition
study of
Term
nephr/o
Definition
kidney
Term
nephrectomy
Definition
Removal (resection) of a kidney
Term
nephritis
Definition
Inflammation of the kidney.
Term
nephrology
Definition
Study of the kidney.
Term
nephrosis
Definition
Abnormal condition of the kidney.
Term
neur/o
Definition
nerve
Term
neural
Definition
Pertaining to nerves.
Term
neuralgia
Definition
Nerve pain.
Term
neurologic
Definition
Pertaining to the study of nerves.
Term
neurology
Definition
Study of nerves.
oncology Study of tumors.
Term
neurology
Definition
Study of nerves.
Term
onc/o
Definition
tumor
Term
oncologist
Definition
Specialist in the study of tumors.
Term
oncology
Definition
Study of tumors.
Term
ophthalm/o
Definition
eye
Term
ophthalmologist
Definition
Specialist in the study of diagnosing and treating disorders of the eye.
Term
ophthalmoscope
Definition
Instrument for visual examination of the eye. Proper pronunciation helps
in the spelling of this term. The initial syllable is pronounced “off” and is
spelled “oph”.
Term
oste/o
Definition
bone
Term
osteitis
Definition
Inflammation of bone.
Term
osteoarthritis
Definition
Inflammation of bone and joints (actually degeneration of joint tissue).
Term
osteotomy
Definition
Incision of a bone.
Term
path/o
Definition
disease
Term
pathogenic
Definition
Pertaining to producing disease.
Term
pathologist
Definition
One who studies diseases, performs autopsies, and examines biopsy samples.
Term
pathology
Definition
Study of disease.
Term
ped/o
Definition
child
Term
pediatric
Definition
Pertaining to treatment of children.
Term
pericardium
Definition
Structure (membrane) surrounding the heart.
Term
prognosis
Definition
State of before knowledge; prediction about the outcome of an illness.
An agnostic is a person who professes no (a-) knowledge of God.
Term
prostate gland
Definition
Exocrine gland in front of (before) the urinary bladder in males.
Term
psych/o
Definition
mind
Term
psychiatrist
Definition
Specialist in the treatment of the mind.
Term
psychology
Definition
Study of the mind.
Term
radi/o
Definition
x-ray
Term
radiology
Definition
Study of x-rays.
Term
ren/o
Definition
kidney
Term
renal
Definition
Pertaining to the kidney. Ren/o (Latin) is used with -al (Latin), and nephr/o
(Greek) is used with -ic (Greek).
Term
resection
Definition
Removal; excision. From the Latin “resecare” meaning “to cut back, trim or
curtail.” Thus a resection is an operation wherein an organ is “cut back”
or removed.
Term
retrocardiac
Definition
Pertaining to behind the heart.
Term
rhin/o
Definition
nose
Term
rhinitis
Definition
Inflammation of the nose.
Term
sarc/o
Definition
flesh
Term
sarcoma
Definition
Tumor of flesh tissue (cancerous tumor of connective tissues, such as bone,
muscle, cartilage, fat). Sarcasm is an utterance intended to “cut into the flesh”
and a sarcophagus is a box or container (Egyptian coffin) intended to “swallow
flesh.” Phag/o means to eat or swallow
Term
sect/o
Definition
to cut
Term
subhepatic
Definition
Pertaining to below the liver.
Term
thromb/o
Definition
clot, clotting
Term
thrombocyte
Definition
A clotting cell.
Term
transhepatic
Definition
Pertaining to across or through the liver.
Term
ur/o
Definition
urinary tract/ urine
Term
urology
Definition
Study of the urinary tract.
Term
what is interstitial tissue
Definition
tissue between the cells of a structure or part in plant or animal.
Term
what is parenchymal tissue?
Definition
The parenchyma of an organ consists of that tissue which conducts the specific function of the organ and which usually comprises the bulk of the organ
EXAMPLE:
The parenchyma of the brain is nervous tissue (nerve cells and glia). The blood vessels within the brain and the connective tissue associated with these blood vessels are stroma.
Term
Characteristics of benign tumors
Definition
non-invasive, not spreading to other sites; grow slowley; often encapsulated (contained within a fibrous capsule); composed of organized and specialized (differentiated) cells that closely resemble normal tissue; they do not mestastasize
Term
Characteristics of malignant tumors
Definition
rapidly multiplying; invasive and infiltrative; anaplastic (loss of differentiation of cells) and undifferentiated; metastatic
Term
hist/o
Definition
tissue
Term
histogenesis
Definition
classifying the particular type of cancer tissue
Term
-genesis
Definition
arise
Term
3 major groups of cancerous tumors
Definition
carcinoma, sarcoma, and mixed-tissue tumor
Term
carcinoma
Definition
largest group of cancerous tumor; composed of epithelial tissue that lines internal and external bodysurfaces; 90% of malignancies are carcinomas; malig tumor of epithelial tissue get word carcinoma + type of tissue it occurs in;
Term
sarcoma
Definition
less common than carcinoma, derived from connective tissue (bone, fat, muscle, cartilage, bone marrow, cells of lymphatic syste
Term
Malignant tumor of colon
Definition
Adenocarcinoma of the Colon
Term
Malignant tumor of esophagus
Definition
Esophageal carcinoma
Term
Malignant tumor of liver
Definition
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Term
Malignant tumor of stomach
Definition
Gastric adenocarcinoma
Term
Malignant tumor of adrenal glands
Definition
Carcinoma of the adrenals [ adrenocortical carcinoma]
Term
Malignant tumor of breast
Definition
Carcinoma of the breast
Term
pancreas
Definition
carcinoma of the pancreas or pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Term
malignant tumor of prostate
Definition
carcinoma of the prostate
Term
malignant tumor of salivary glands
Definition
adenoid cystic carcinoma
Term
malignant tumor of thyroid
Definition
carcinoma of the thyroid
Term
malignant tumor of kidney and bladder
Definition
renal cell carcinoma or hyper nephroma
transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder
Term
malignant tumors of the lung
Definition
adenocarcinoma bronchioloalveolar
large cell carcinoma
small oat cell carcinoma
squamous cell epidermoid
Term
malignant tumors of the reproductive Organs
Definition
adenocarcinoma of the uterus
carcinoma of the penis
choriocarcinoma of the uterus and testes cystadenocarcinoma (Mucinous or serous) of the ovaries
squamous cell epidermoid carcinoma of the vagina or cervix
Term
cystic
Definition
forming large open spaces filled with fluid. mucinous tumors are filled with mucus (thick sticky fluid) and serous tumors a filled with a thin, watery fluid resembling serum. The most common side of cystic tumors is in ovaries
Term
fungating
Definition
mushrooming pattern of growth in which tumor cells pile 1 on top of another and project from a tissue surface. Tumors found in the colon are often this type
Term
inflammatory
Definition
having the features of inflammation- that is, redness, swelling, and heat. Inflammatory changes resulted from tumor blockage of the lymphatic drainage of the skin, as in breast cancer.
Term
medullary
Definition
pertaining to large, soft, fleshy tumors. Thyroid and breast tumors may be medullary.
Term
Necrotic
Definition
containing dead tissue. Any type of tumor can outgrow it's bloody supply and undergo necrosis
Term
polypoid
Definition
Growths that are like projections extending an outward from a base. Sessile polypoid tumors extend from a broad base and pedunculated polypoid tumors extend from a stem or stock. Both benign and malignant tumors of the colonmaybe grow as polyps. Benign polyps of the colon have a significant risk of the coming malignant over time and should be removed to prevent cancer.
Term
Ulcerating
Definition
characterized by an open, exposed surface resulting from the death of overline tissue. Ulcerating tumors often are found in the stomach, breast, colon, skin.
Term
adjuvant therapy
Definition
assiting primary treatment; drugs are given early in the course of treatment along with surgery or radiation to attack deposits of cancer cells that may be too small to be detected by diagnostic techniques
Term
alkylating agents
Definition
synthetic chemicals contain alkyl groups that attach DNA causing strand breaks
Term
anaplasia
Definition
loss of differentiation of cells; reversion to a more primitive cell type
Term
angiogenesis
Definition
process of forming new blood vessels
Term
antibiotics
Definition
chemical substance produced by bacteria or primitive plants they inhibit the growth of cells and are used in cancer chemotherapy
Term
antimetabolites
Definition
chemicals that prevent cell division by inhibiting formation of substance necessary to make DNA; used in cancer chemotherapy
Term
antimitotics
Definition
drugs that block mitosis (cell division) taxol is an antimitotic used to treat breast and ovarian cancers
Term
apoptosis
Definition
programmed cell death (apo- means off,away; -ptosis means to fall) normal cells undergo apoptosis when damaged or aging. some cancer cells have lost the ability to undergo apoptosis and they live forever
Term
benign tumor
Definition
non-cancerous growth (neoplasm)
Term
biological response modifiers
Definition
substances produced by normal cells that either directly block tumor growth or stimulate the immune system to fight cancer
Term
biological therapy
Definition
uses the body's own defenses to destroy tumor cells
Term
brachytherapy
Definition
radio therapy that uses insertion of sealed containers into body cavities or radioactive seeds directly into the tumor
Term
carcinogens
Definition
agents that cause cancer; chemicals and drugs, radiation and viruses
Term
carcinoma
Definition
cancerous tumor made up of cells of epithelial origin
Term
cellular oncogenes
Definition
pieces of DNA that when activated by mutations or by dislocation can cause a normal cell to become malignant
Term
chemotherapy
Definition
treatment with drugs
Term
combination chemo therapy
Definition
use of several chemotherapeutic agents togeher for the treatment of tumors
Term
dedifferentiation
Definition
loss of differentiation of cells; reversion to a more primitive embryonic cell type; anaplasia or undifferentiation
Term
DNA - deoxyribonucleic acid
Definition
genetic material within the nucleus of a cell; controls cell division and protein synthesis
Term
differentiating agents
Definition
drugs that promote tumor cells to differentiate, stop growing, and die
Term
differentiation
Definition
specilization of cells
Term
electron beams
Definition
low energy beams of radiation for treatment for skin or surface tumors
Term
encapsulated
Definition
surrounded by a capsule; benign tumors are encapsulated
Term
external beam irradiation
Definition
applying radiation to a tumor from a source outside the body
Term
fields
Definition
dimentions of the area of the body undergoing irradiation
Term
fractionation
Definition
giving radiatation in small repeated doses
Term
genetic screening
Definition
family members are te4sted to determine wether they have inheritated a cancer causing gene
Term
grading of tumors
Definition
evaluating the degree of maturity of tumor cells or indication of malignant transformation
Term
gray (Gy)
Definition
unit of absorbed radiation dose
Term
gross describtion of tumors
Definition
visual appearance of tumors to the naked eye; cystic, fungating, inflammatory, medullary, necrotic, polypoid, ulcerating, and verrucous tumors
Term
infiltrative
Definition
extenting beyong normal tissue boundaries into adjacend tissues
Term
invasive
Definition
having the ability to enter and destroy surrounding tissue
Term
irradiation
Definition
exposure of any form of radiant energy such as light, heat or x-rays
Term
linear accelerator
Definition
large electronic device that produces high energy x-ray beams for treatment of deep seated tumors
Term
malignant tumor
Definition
a tumor having the characteristics of cont. growth, invasiveness, and metastasis
Term
mesenchymal
Definition
embryonic connective tissue (mes = middle, enchym/o = to pour) this is the tissue from which connective tissues (bone, muscle, fat, cartilage) arise
Term
metastasis
Definition
spread of malignant tumor to a secondary site; literally, beyond (meta-) control (-stasis)
Term
microscopic description of tumors
Definition
appearance of tumors when viewed under a microscope: alveolar, carcinoma in situ, diffuse, displastic, epidermoid, follicular, papillary, pleomorphic, scirrhous, undifferentiated
Term
mitosis
Definition
replecation of cells; a stage in a cells life cycle involving production of two identical cells from a parent cell
Term
mixed tissue tumors
Definition
tumors composed of different types of tissue (epithelial as well as connective tissue)
Term
modality
Definition
method of treatment such as surgery, chemotherapy or irradition
Term
molecularly targeted drugs
Definition
anti cancer drugs designed to block the function of growth factors,their receptors, and signaling pathways in specific tumor cells
Term
morbidity
Definition
condition of being unwell; deficient in normal function
Term
mucinous
Definition
containing mucus
Term
mutation
Definition
change in the genetic material (DNA) of a cell; may be caused by chemicals, radiation, or viruses or may occur spontaneously
Term
neoplasm
Definition
new growth; benign or malignant tumors
Term
nucleotide
Definition
unit of DNA (gene) composed of a sugar, phosphate, and a base. the sequence or arrangement of nucleotides on a gene is the genetic code
Term
oncogene
Definition
region of DNA in tumor cells (cellular oncogene) or in viruses that cause cancer (viral oncogene) oncogenes are designed by a 3 letter name, such as ABL, ERB, JUN, MYC, RAS, and SRC
Term
palliative
Definition
relieving but not curing symptoms
Term
pedunculated
Definition
possessing a stem or stalk (peduncle); characteristic of some polypoid tumors
Term
pharmacokinetics
Definition
study of the distribution in and the removal of drugs from the body over time in humans and animals
Term
photon therapy
Definition
radiation therapy using energy in the form of xrays or gamma rays
Term
protocol
Definition
detailed plan for treatment of an illness
Term
proton therapy
Definition
subatomic positively charged particles (protons) produced by a cyclotron deposit a dose of radiation at a tightly focused point in the body
Term
radiation
Definition
energy carried by a stream of particles
Term
radiocurable tumor
Definition
tumor that is destroyed by radiation therapy
Term
radioresistant tumor
Definition
tumor that requires large doses of radiation to be destroyed
Term
radiosensitive tumor
Definition
tumor in which radiation can cause the death of cells without serious damage to surrounding tissue
Term
radiosensitizers
Definition
drugs that increase the sensitivity of tumors to xrays
Term
radiotherapy
Definition
treatment of tumors using doses of radiation; radiation oncology
Term
relapse
Definition
recurrence of tumor after treatment
Term
remission
Definition
partial or complete disappearance of disease
Term
ribonucleic acid (RNA)
Definition
cellular substance that represents a copy of DNA and directs the formation of new protein inside cells
Term
sarcoma
Definition
cancerous tumor derived from connective or flesh tissue
Term
serous
Definition
having the appearance of a thin watery fluid (serum)
Term
sessile
Definition
having no stem; characteristic of some polypoid tumors
Term
simulation
Definition
study using CT scan or MRI to map treatment before radiation therapy is given
Term
solid tumor
Definition
tumor composed of a mass of cells
Term
staging of tumors
Definition
system of evaluating the extent of spread of tumors. An example is the T and M system (tumor-node-metastasis)
Term
stereotactic radiosurgery
Definition
delivery of dose of radiation under stereotactic (high precise) guidance (gamma knife surgery)
Term
steriods
Definition
complex, naturally occurring chemicals derived from cholesterol. some are used in cancer chemotherapy
Term
surgical procedures to treat cancer
Definition
methods of removing cancerous tissue: cryosurgery, cauterization, en bloc resection, excisional biopsy, excenteration, fulguration, incisional biopsy
Term
viral oncogenes
Definition
pieces of DNA from viruses that infect a normal cell and cause it to become malignant
Term
virus
Definition
an infectious agent that reproduces and entering a host cell and using the hosts' genetic material to make copies of itself
Term
Adenocarcinoma
Definition
Cancerous tumor of glandular tissue.
Term
Adjuvant therapy
Definition
Treatment of disease with substances that assist or enhance the action of primary treatment
Term
Alkylating agents
Definition
Synthetic chemicals used in treatment of cancer. They interfere with DNA synthesis and cell division to prevent cancer cells from increasing in number
Term
Alopecia
Definition
Partial or complete lack of hair.
Term
Alveolar
Definition
Pertaining to a small sac or alveolus
Term
Anaplasia
Definition
Loss of differentiation of cells and reversion to a more primitive, unspecialized cell type.
Term
Angiogenesis
Definition
Process of forming new blood vessels.
Term
Antibiotics
Definition
Chemical substances produced by bacteria or primitive plants; inhibit the growth of cells and are used in treatment of cancer and infectious disease.
Term
Antimetabolites
Definition
Chemicals that prevent cell division by inhibiting formation of substances necessary to make DNA; used in cancer treatment.
Term
Antimitotics
Definition
Drugs that block mitosis (cell division); used to treat cancer.
Term
Apoptosis
Definition
Programmed cell death.
Term
Benign tumor
Definition
Noncancerous growth.
Term
Biologic response modifiers
Definition
Substances produced by normal cells that block tumor growth or stimulate the immune system to fight cancer.
Term
Biological therapy
Definition
Use of the body’s own defenses to fight tumor cells.
Term
Bone marrow biopsy
Definition
Small amount of bone marrow tissue is removed (aspirated) and examined under a microscope for evidence of malignancy.
Term
Bone marrow transplantation
Definition
Bone marrow tissue is infused intravenously into a patient.
Term
Brachytherapy
Definition
Placement of radioactive material (small sealed containers) in contact with or implanted into tumor tissue.
Term
Cachexia
Definition
General ill health (muscle wasting and weight loss) associated with severe, chronic disease, such as cancer.
Term
Carcinogens
Definition
Substances that produces cancer.
Term
Carcinoma
Definition
Cancerous tumor.
Term
Carcinoma in situ
Definition
Localized cancer, confined to its site of origin.
Term
Cauterization
Definition
Process of burning tissue to destroy it.
Term
Cellular oncogenes
Definition
Pieces of DNA that, when broken or dislocated, can cause a normal cell to become malignant.
Term
Chemotherapy
Definition
Treatment with drugs.
Term
Combination chemotherapy
Definition
Use of several chemotherapeutic agents together for treatment of tumors.
Term
Core needle biopsy
Definition
Insertion of a needle into tissue to remove a core of cells to examine under a microscope; needle aspiration.
Term
Cryosurgery
Definition
Use of subfreezing temperature to destroy tissue.
Term
Cystic tumor
Definition
A cystic tumor forms large open spaces filled with fluid.
Term
Cytogenetic analysis
Definition
Chromosomes of normal or tumor cells are examined for breaks, translocations, or deletions of DNA.
Term
Dedifferentiation
Definition
Loss of differentiation of cells; reversion to a more primitive, embryonic cell type
Term
Deoxyribonucleic acid
Definition
Genetic material within the nucleus of a cell; controls cell division and protein synthesis
Term
Differentiating agents
Definition
Drugs that promote tumor cells to differentiate, stop growing, and die.
Term
Differentiation
Definition
Specialization of cells; unspecialized cells are modified and altered to form specific and characteristic types and functions
Term
Dysplastic
Definition
Pertaining to abnormal formation or development of cells; not clearly malignant
Term
Electron beams
Definition
Low-energy beams of radiation for treatment of skin or surface tumors
Term
En bloc resection
Definition
Removal of a tumor with a large area of surrounding tissue containing lymph nodes
Term
Encapsulated
Definition
Surrounded by a capsule; benign tumors are encapsulated.
Term
Epidermoid
Definition
Resembling epidermis or the outer layer of skin. Epidermoid tumors are composed of thin, plate-like cells.
Term
Excisional biopsy
Definition
Removal of tumor and a margin of normal tissue
Term
Exenteration
Definition
Wide resection involving removal of the tumor, its organ of origin, and all surrounding tissue in the body space.
Term
Exfoliative cytology
Definition
Cells are scraped from a region of suspected disease and examined under the microscope
Term
External beam radiation
Definition
Radiation applied to a tumor from a distant source, such a machine (linear accelerator).
Term
Fiberoptic colonoscopy
Definition
Visual examination of the colon using a fiberoptic instrument (endoscope).
Term
Fibrosarcoma
Definition
Malignant tumor of fibrous or connective tissue
Term
Fibrosis
Definition
Abnormal condition (proliferation) of fibrous connective tissue; occurring in the lung as a side effect of radiation for lung cancer.
Term
Follicular
Definition
Pertaining to forming small, glandular sacs
Term
Fractionation
Definition
Method of administering radiation treatment in small, repeated doses rather than in a few large doses
Term
Fulguration
Definition
Destruction of tissue by electric sparks generated by a high-frequency current.
Term
Fungating tumor
Definition
Gross description of tumor growth in which cells pile one on top of another and project from the tissue surface
Term
Genetic screening
Definition
Family members are tested to determine whether they have inherited a cancer-causing gene.
Term
Grading of tumors
Definition
Evaluating the microscopic appearance of tumor cells to determine their degree of differentiation or maturity and thus malignant transformation.
Term
Gray
Definition
Unit of absorbed radiation dose
Term
Gross description of tumors
Definition
Visual appearance of tumors, such as cystic, fungating, inflammatory, medullary, necrotic, polypoid, ulcerating and verrucous.
Term
Hyperplasia
Definition
Increased growth in numbers of normal cells
Term
Immunohistochemistry
Definition
Localizing antigens or proteins in tissues using labeled (colored or fluorescent) antibodies
Term
Incisional biopsy
Definition
Piece of tumor is removed for examination to establish a diagnosis.
Term
Infiltrative
Definition
Pertaining to extending beyond normal tissue boundaries.
Term
Invasive
Definition
Having the ability to enter and destroy surrounding tissue.
Term
Irradiation
Definition
Exposure to any form of radiant energy such as light, heat or x-rays.
Term
Laparoscopy
Definition
Visual examination of the abdominal cavity using small incisions and a laparoscope (endoscope).
Term
Linear accelerator
Definition
Device that produces high-energy x-ray (photon) beams for treatment of deep-seated tumors.
Term
Malignant tumor
Definition
Cancerous tumor
Term
Mammography
Definition
X-ray examination of the breast
Term
Medullary tumor
Definition
Large, fleshy tumors
Term
Mesenchymal
Definition
Pertaining to embryonic connective tissue from which all connective tissues arise. Sarcomas are tumors of connective tissues that arise originally from mesenchymal cells.
Term
Metaplasia
Definition
Conversion of normal cells into a less differentiated type in response to chronic stress or injury
Term
Metastasis
Definition
Spread of a cancerous tumor to another site (change of place) or secondary location (meta- = change, -stasis = place or control).
Term
Microscopic description of tumors
Definition
Appearance of tumors as viewed under the microscope. Examples are alveolar, carcinoma in situ, dysplastic, epidermoid, follicular tumors
Term
Mitosis
Definition
Cell division or replication of cells; creation of two identical daughter cells from a parent cell.
Term
Mixed-tissue tumors
Definition
Tumors composed of different types of tissue (epithelial as well as connective tissues).
Term
Modality
Definition
Method of treatment
Term
Molecularly targeted drugs
Definition
Anticancer drugs designed to block the function of growth factors, their receptors, and signaling pathways in specific tumor cells.
Term
Morbidity
Definition
Damage to normal tissue or the state of being diseased.
Term
Mucinous
Definition
Pertaining to cystic tumors filled with mucus.
Term
Mucositis
Definition
Inflammation of mucous membranes; often a side effect of radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
Term
Mutagenic
Definition
Pertaining to producing a mutation
Term
Mutation
Definition
Change in genetic material (DNA) of a cell.
Term
Myelosuppression
Definition
Bone marrow depression or formation of blood cells (leukopenia, anemia and thrombocytopenia).
Term
Necrotic tumor
Definition
Tumor that contains dead cells
Term
Neoplasm
Definition
New growth (tumor); benign or malignant tumor.
Term
Neuroblastoma
Definition
Malignant childhood tumor originating in cells of the nervous system.
Term
Nucleotide
Definition
Unit of DNA (gene) composed of a sugar, phosphate, and a base. The sequence of nucleotides composing a gene is the genetic code
Term
Oncogene
Definition
Region of DNA in tumor cells (cellular oncogene) or in viruses (viral oncogene) that cause cancer
Term
Oncology
Definition
Study of tumors (malignant tumors).
Term
Osteosarcoma
Definition
Malignant tumor of bone
Term
Palliative
Definition
Relieving, but not curing symptoms.
Term
Papillary
Definition
Pertaining to nipple-like projections. A papillary tumor forms microscopic nipple-like or finger-like projections of cells.
Term
Pedunculated
Definition
Possessing a stem or stalk (peduncle).
Term
Pharmacokinetics
Definition
Study of the distribution and removal of drugs in the body over a period of time.
Term
Photon therapy
Definition
Radiation treatment using x-rays and gamma rays delivered to tumor tissue via a linear accelerator.
Term
Pleomorphic
Definition
Pertaining to a variety of shapes or cell types
Term
Pneumonitis
Definition
Inflammation of the lungs
Term
Polypoid tumor
Definition
Resembling a polyp (benign growth that protrudes from a base
Term
Protein marker tests
Definition
Measurements of the level of specific proteins in the blood or on the surface of tumor cells; PSA, CA-125, alpha-fetoprotein are examples.
Term
Protocol
Definition
Detailed plan for treatment of an illness
Term
Proton therapy
Definition
Subatomic particles (protons) produced by a cyclotron deposit absorbed dose of radiation at a finite, focused point in the body.
Term
Radiation
Definition
Energy carried by a stream of particles
Term
Radiocurable tumor
Definition
Tumor cells that are destroyed with radiotherapy
Term
Radionuclide scans
Definition
Radioactive substances (radionuclides) are injected intravenously and scans (images) are taken of organs.
Term
Radioresistant tumor
Definition
Tumor cells that require large doses of radiation to be destroyed.
Term
Radiosensitive tumor
Definition
Tumor in which radiation can cause death of cells without damage to surrounding tissue
Term
Radiosensitizers
Definition
Drugs that increase the sensitivity of tumor cells to x-rays.
Term
Radiotherapy
Definition
Treatment of tumors using radiation; radiation oncology
Term
Relapse
Definition
Return of symptoms of disease.
Term
Remission
Definition
Partial or complete disappearance of symptoms of disease.
Term
Retinoblastoma
Definition
Malignant tumor of the retina of the eye; childhood malignancy.
Term
Ribonucleic acid
Definition
Cellular substance that, along with DNA, plays a role in protein synthesis.
Term
Sarcoma
Definition
Cancerous tumor derived from connective or flesh tissue.
Term
Scirrhous
Definition
Pertaining to hard, densely packed tumors, overgrown with fibrous tissue.
Term
Serous
Definition
Pertaining to a clear fluid (serum) that remains after blood has clotted. Serous tumors are cystic tumors filled with a thin, water fluid, resembling serum.
Term
Sessile
Definition
Type of polyp that extends from a broad base as opposed to growing on a stalk.
Term
Simulation
Definition
Study prior to radiation therapy using CT scan or MRI to map treatment. It is required for all patients undergoing radiation therapy.
Term
Solid tumor
Definition
Tumor composed of a mass of cells
Term
Staging of tumors
Definition
System of evaluating the extent of spread of tumors.
Term
Stem cell transplantation
Definition
Stem cells (immature blood cells) are harvested from the bloodstream of a patient and then reinfused after the patient has received chemotherapy.
Term
Stereotactic radiosurgery
Definition
A single large dose of radiation delivered under stereotactic (highly precise) guidance to destroy a vascular abnormality or treat small intracranial tumors
Term
Steroids
Definition
Complex, naturally occurring chemicals, such as hormones, that are used in cancer chemotherapy.
Term
Teletherapy
Definition
Radiation delivered to a tumor from a distant source, such as a linear accelerator or cyclotron.
Term
Ulcerating tumor
Definition
Growth that has open, exposed surfaces resulting from death of overlying tissue.
Term
Verrucous tumor
Definition
Tumor, whose growth pattern, resembles a wart
Term
Viral oncogenes
Definition
Pieces of DNA from viruses that infect a normal cell and cause it to become malignant.
Term
Virus
Definition
Infectious agent that reproduces by entering a host cell and using the host’s genetic material to make copies of itself.
Term
Xerostomia
Definition
Dryness of the mouth.
Term
alveolar
Definition
Pertaining to tumor growth in small microscopic sacs (descriptive of connective tissue tumors—sarcomas).
Term
cachexia
Definition
General ill health and malnutrition associated with chronic disease such
as cancer.
Term
carcinoma in situ
Definition
Localized tumor growth.
Term
electrocauterization
Definition
Burning tissue to destroy it (using electricity).
Term
chemotherapy
Definition
Treatment using drugs
Term
cryosurgery
Definition
Destruction of tissue using cold temperatures
Term
cystic tumor
Definition
Tumor forms with large open spaces filled with fluid
Term
fibrosarcoma
Definition
Malignant tumor of fiber-producing cells (flesh or connective tissue origin).
Term
follicular
Definition
Pertaining to microscopic description of tumor growth in small gland-type sacs.
Term
fungating tumor
Definition
Mushrooming pattern of growth in which tumor cells pile one on top of another
and project from the tissue surface.
Term
medullary tumor
Definition
Large, soft, fleshy tumor
Term
mucositis
Definition
Inflammation of mucous membranes
Term
mutation
Definition
Change in the genetic material of a cell.
Term
mutagenic
Definition
Pertaining to producing mutation.
Term
necrotic
Definition
Tumor containing dead cells.
Term
oncology
Definition
Study of tumors.
Term
papillary
Definition
Pertaining to tumors that grow in small nipple-like or finger-like pattern.
Term
dysplastic
Definition
Pertaining to abnormal growth of cells but not clearly cancerous.
Term
pleomorphic
Definition
Pertaining to tumors that contain a variety of cell types.
Term
protocol
Definition
Detailed plan for treatment of illness
Term
polypoid tumor
Definition
Tumors that grow as projections extending outward from a base
Term
radiation
Definition
Use of radioactive substances in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
Term
osteosarcoma
Definition
Malignant tumor (flesh tissue) of bone
Term
scirrhous
Definition
Pertaining to hard, densely packed tumors, overgrown with fibrous tissue
Term
retinoblastoma
Definition
Tumor of the retina of the eye (embryonic cells); congenital and hereditary tumor
Term
neuroblastoma
Definition
Cancerous tumor of embryonic nervous tissue; a sarcoma composed of neuroblasts
and affecting infants and children up to 10 years of age. The tumor usually arises in the autonomic nervous system
Term
angiogenesis
Definition
Formation of blood vessels.
Term
adenocarcinoma
Definition
Cancerous tumor of glandular tissue.
Term
hyperplasia
Definition
Condition of increased growth of cells (in numbers
Term
neoplasm
Definition
New growth (tumor).
Term
myelosuppression
Definition
Stopping or inhibiting the growth of bone marrow tissue. This means that blood cells (leukocytes, erythrocytes, and platelets), normally formed in bone marrow,are not produced.
Term
radiotherapy
Definition
Ionizing radiation used to treat malignancies
Term
anaplasia
Definition
Reversion of cells to a more embryonic type (as happens in malignancy)
Term
apoptosis
Definition
Programmed cell death
Term
brachytherapy
Definition
Implantation of small sealed containers or seeds of radioactive material directly or near tumors.
Term
epidermoid
Definition
Resembling epidermal tissue (tumors that arise from aberrant epidermal cells).
Term
metastasis
Definition
The spread of a malignant tumor from its original location to a distant site.
Term
metaplasia
Definition
Abnormal transformation of adult differentiated cells to differentiated tissue of another kind.
Term
teletherapy
Definition
Radiation therapy using high-energy beams from a distant (tele-) source, such as a linear accelerator or cyclotron (proton therapy).
Term
AFP
Definition
Alpha-fetoprotein
Term
ATRA
Definition
All-transretinoic acid- treatment for acute myelogenous leukemia
Term
Bmt
Definition
Bone marrow transplantation
Term
Bx
Definition
Biopsy
Term
Ca
Definition
Cancer
Term
Cea
Definition
Carcinoembryonic antigen
Term
Cgy
Definition
Centigray (one hundredth of a gray) or rad
Term
Chemo
Definition
Chemotherapy
Term
Cr
Definition
Complete response
Disappearance of all tumor
Term
Csf
Definition
Colony-simulating factor - for example: g-csf granulocyte colony-simulating factor) and gm-csf (granulocyte-macrophage colony-simulating factor)
Term
Des
Definition
Diethylstilbestrol
Term
Dna
Definition
Deoxyribonucleic acid
Term
Egfr
Definition
Epidermal growth factor receptor
Term
Er
Definition
Estrogen receptor
Term
Epo
Definition
Erythropoietin; promotes growth of red blood cells
Term
Fna
Definition
Fine needle aspiration
Term
5-fu
Definition
5-fluorouracil
Term
Ga
Definition
Gallium
Term
Gist
Definition
Gastrointestinal stromal tumor
Term
Gy
Definition
Gray-unit of absorbed radiation dose
Term
H&e
Definition
Hematoxylin and eosin-a dye combination used to stain pathology specimens
Term
Her2-neu
Definition
Growth factor gene highly activated on certain types of breast cancer
Term
Cauterization
Definition
Prices of burning tissue to destroy it. Examples are electrocauterization (using a needle or snare heated by electric current), leader, dry ice, and chemicals
Term
HNPCC
Definition
Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer
Term
IGRT
Definition
Intensity-modulated gated radiation therapy-use of imaging mechanism attached to linear accelerator is added to IMRT to gate (track) a tumor moving during respiration
Term
IHC
Definition
Immunohistochemistry
Term
IMRT
Definition
Intensity-modulated radiation Therapy-high doses of radiation are delivered directly to cancer cells in a targeted way, more precisely than in conventional radiotherapy
Term
IORT
Definition
Intraoperative radiation therapy
Term
Mets
Definition
Metastases
Term
Moab
Definition
Monoclonal antibody
Term
Ned
Definition
No evidence of disease
Term
NHL
Definition
Non-hodgkin lymphoma
Term
NSCLC
Definition
Non-small cell lung cancer
Term
TNM - INTERNATIONAL STAGING SYSTEM
Definition
T specifies the size and degreeof local extension of the Tumor; N is the number of regional lymph Nodes that have been invaded by the tumor; and M specifies the presence or absence of metastases of the tumor cells
Term
Alveol/o
Definition
Small sac
Term
Cac/o
Definition
Bad
Term
Carcin/o
Definition
Cancer, cancerous
Term
Cauter/o
Definition
Burn/ heat
Term
Chem/o
Definition
Chemical, drug
Term
Cry/o
Definition
Cold
Term
Cyst/o
Definition
Sac of fluid
Term
Fibr/o
Definition
Fibers
Term
Follicul/o
Definition
Small glandular sacs
Term
Fung/i
Definition
Fungus, mushroom
Term
Medull/o
Definition
Soft, inner part
Term
Mucos/o
Definition
Mucous membrane
Term
Mut/a
Definition
Genetic change
Term
Mutagen/o
Definition
Causing genetic change
Term
Necr/o
Definition
Death
Term
Onc/o
Definition
Tumor
Term
Papill/o
Definition
Nipple-like
Term
Pharmac/o
Definition
Chemical, drug
Term
Plas/o
Definition
Formation
Term
Ple/o
Definition
Many, more
Term
Polyp/o
Definition
Polyp
Term
Prot/o
Definition
First
Term
Radi/o
Definition
Rays
Term
Sarc/o
Definition
Flesh, connective tissue
Term
Scirrh/o
Definition
Hard
Term
Xer/o
Definition
Dry
Term
-blastoma
Definition
Immature tumor
Term
-Genesis
Definition
Formation
Term
-Oma
Definition
Mass, tumor
Term
-plasia
Definition
Formation, growth
Term
-plasm
Definition
Formation, growth
Term
-suppression
Definition
To stop
Term
-therapy
Definition
Treatment
Term
Ana-
Definition
Backward
Term
Apo-
Definition
Off, away
Term
Brachy-
Definition
Short (distance)
Term
Epi-
Definition
Upon
Term
Meta-
Definition
Beyond; change
Term
Tele-
Definition
Far
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