GLOSSARY* D-K A-C D-K L-O P-Z
DOSE DENSITY Delivery of the same dose of chemotherapy in shorter intervals.
ENDOSCOPY An examination in which the doctor looks inside a hollow organ, such as the esophagus or stomach, through a long, flexible, lighted tube.
ENZYME INHIBITOR A drug that restricts production of certain proteins (enzymes) in cell that allow rapid growth of cancer cell.
ESTROGEN RECEPTOR A protein found on some cell to which the hormone estrogen will attach.
FAMILIAL POLYPOSIS An inherited condition in which numerous polyps develop on the inside walls of the colon and rectum.
FECAL OCCULT BLOOD TEST A test to check for hidden blood in stool. (Fecal refers to stool; occult means hidden.)
FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATION (FNA) A procedure performed under local anesthetic in which a needle is inserted into the body to obtain a sample for the evaluation of suspicious tissue.
FRACTIONATED RADIATION THERAPY Treatment in which radiation is given in several small doses.
GLEASON SCORE A system of grading prostate cancer cells for aggressiveness to determine the best treatment and to predict how well a patient is likely to do. A low Gleason score means the cancer cells are very similar to normal prostate cells; a high score means the cancer cells are very different from normal.
GLIOMA A general term for many types of primary brain tumors, all of which arise from cells that perform supportive functions for neurons, called glial cells.
HEMOGLOBIN The red pigmentation in red blood cell which permits the carrying of oxygen.
HER2/NEU A gene that carries the genetic code (recipe) for the HER2 protein. HER2 is found on the surface of some normal cells and plays a role in controlling cell growth. Abnormally high amounts of HER2 may be present on the surface of breast cancer cells in one out of four women, mostly due to increased gene copy number in the nucleus. This causes the cancer cells to grow rapidly.
HORMONE THERAPY Treatment with hormones, drugs to interfere with hormone- production or hormone action, or the surgical removal of hormone –producing glands. Hormone therapy may kill cancer cells or slow their growth.
HYPERFRACTIONATED RADIATION THERAPY A method of delivering smaller-than-usual single doses of radiation two to three times a day. This method can allow for a greater overall dose while shortening the total duration of radiation.
HYPERURICEMIA A buildup in the blood of uric acid (a byproduct of metabolism); a side effect of some anticancer drugs.
IMMUNE SYSTEM The complex group of cells and organs that defends the body against infection and disease.
IMMUNOCOMPROMISED Having a weakened immune system-for any reason. This condition is sometimes present in the very yound and the very old, in patients with HIV, and in patients who have received a bone marrow transplant or those undergoing chemotherapy.
IMMUNOMODULATOR A chemical agent that manipulates an immune response within the body.
Examples include the stimulation of antibodies or the inhibiting of white blood cell activity.
IMMUNOTHERAPY Use of agents that stimulate or augment the body’s immune response against cancer or other diseases.
INFILTRATING CANCER An invasive cancer that penetrates beyond the layer of cells it is sitting on.
INFUSION A continuous drip of fluids or medications into the blood, usually through a vein.
INTERFERON A type of protein that is secreted by the cell in response to an infection or disease; Interferon is part of the body’s own immune system. A man-made copy of interferon is given to boost the body’s immune system to fight against certain cancers.
INTERLEUKIN-2 Another type of protein that is part of the body’s immune system. Interleukin is used to treat certain cancers.
INTERNAL RADIATION The placement of radioactive material inside the body (as close possible to the cancer).
INTERSTITIAL RADIATION THERAPY Sources of radiation energy are implanted directly into or next to a tumor. Also called brachytherapy, intracavitary radiation, radiation implants, radiation seeding, or radioactive pellets.
INTRAOPERATIVE RADIATION THERAPY Radiation treatment given during surgery.
INTRAPERITONEAL CHEMOTHERAPY Treatment in which anticancer drugs are put directly into the abdomen through a thin tube.
INVESTIGATIONAL NEW DRUG A drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be used in clinical trials, but not approved for commercial marketing.
*Caring4Cancer. (2008). Glossary. Cancer4Care (Vol. 3, Issue 3, pp. 77-80).
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© Copyright 2015. Cancer Crisis Fund is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
home | about us |get involved | donate | resources | contact us
© Copyright 2015. Cancer Crisis Fund is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.