Glossary

benign - cell growth that is not cancerous, does not invade nearby tissue, or spread to other parts of the body.

biological therapy (also known as immunotherapy, biotherapy, or biological response modifier therapy) - uses the body's immune system, either directly or indirectly, to fight cancer or to lessen side effects that may be caused by some cancer treatments.

biopsy - removal of a sample of tissue to be examined in a laboratory by a pathologist to check for cancer cells.

cancer - abnormal cells that divide without control, which can invade nearby tissues or spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body.

carcinogen - a substance that is known to cause cancer.

chemotherapy - treatment to destroy cancer cells with drugs.

clinical trials - studies that involve patients aimed at finding better ways to prevent, detect, diagnose, or treat cancer.

colony-stimulating factors - substances that stimulate the production of blood cells.

conization - the removal of a cone-shaped piece of tissue where the abnormality is found.

dilation and cutterage (D and C) - a minor operation in which the cervix is dilated (expanded) so that the cervical canal and uterine lining can be scraped with a curette (spoon-shaped instrument).

endoscopy - examination of the esophagus and stomach using a thin, lighted instrument called an endoscope.

estrogen - female hormone.

fecal occult blood test - test to check for hidden blood in stool.

hormone therapy - treatment that prevents certain cancer cells from getting the hormones they need to grow.

hyperplasia - an increase in the number of abnormal cells lining the uterus (a precancerous condition).

imaging - tests or evaluation procedures that produce pictures of areas inside the body.

immune system - group of organs, antibodies, and cells that defends the body against infection or disease.

immunotherapy (also called biological therapy) - treatment that uses the body's natural defenses to fight cancer.

interferon - a biological response modifier that stimulates the growth of certain disease-fighting blood cells in the immune system.

interleukin-2 - a biological response modifier that stimulates the growth of certain blood cells in the immune system that can fight cancer.

lymph nodes (also called lymph glands) - small organs located in the channels of the lymphatic system which store special cells to trap bacteria or cancer cells traveling through the body in lymph. Clusters of lymph nodes are found in the underarms, groin, neck, chest, and abdomen.

lymphatic system - tissues and organs, including bone marrow, spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes, that produce, store, and carry white blood cells to fight infection and disease.

malignant - cancerous cells are present.

mammogram - x-ray of the breast tissue.

metastasis - spread of cancer from one part of the body to another.

monoclonal antibodies - substances that can locate and bind to cancer cells wherever they are in the body.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) - an imaging-producing procedure.

oncologist - physician who specializes in treating cancer.

oophorectomy - surgery to remove one or both ovaries.

Pap test (also called Pap smear) - Test that involves microscopic examination of cells collected from the cervix, used to detect changes that may be cancer or may lead to cancer, and to show noncancerous conditions, such as infection or inflammation.

pathologist - physician who identifies diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope.

pelvis - area of the body in the lower abdomen between the hip bones.

peripheral stem cell support - procedure to replace blood-forming cells destroyed by cancer treatment. Stem cells in the blood that are similar to cells in the bone marrow are removed from the patient's blood before treatment and given back to the patient after treatment.

progesterone - female hormone.

radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) - treatment with high-energy rays (such as x-rays or gamma rays) to kill cancer cells; may be by external radiation or by internal radiation from radioactive materials placed directly in or near the tumor.

recur - to occur again; reappearance of cancer cells at the same site or in another location.

risk factor - activity or factor that may increase the chance of developing a disease.

salpingo-oophorectomy - surgery to remove the fallopian tubes and ovaries.

screening - checking for disease when there are no symptoms.

stage - the extent of a cancer, whether the disease has spread from the original site to other parts of the body.

surgery - operation to remove or repair a part of the body, or to find out if disease is present.

systemic treatment - treatment using substances that travel through the bloodstream and reach cancer cells all over the body.

tissue - group or layer of cells that together perform specific functions.

tumor - abnormal mass of tissue that results from excessive cell division; may be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

ultrasonography - test that uses sound waves and echoes to create an image of the inside of the body.

white blood cells - cells that help the body fight infection and disease.