Glossary
A | B | C | D | E | G | H | I | J | L | M | N | O | P | R | S | T | W
AAdenocarcinoma:
Cancerous cell growth in a glandular or glandlike pattern. This cancer can occur in various organs and is the most common cancer of the pancreas (also referred to as adenocarcinoma of the pancreas).
Alopecia:
Hair loss. Alopecia occurs as a side effect of some chemotherapy drugs.
Anemia:
Low red blood cell count. Anemia occurs as a side effect of some chemotherapy drugs.
Anthracycline:
Chemotherapy drug used to treat some types of breast cancer.
Bilirubin:
A yellow-orange compound that is produced by the breakdown of hemoglobin from red blood cells.
Benign tumor:
An abnormal mass of tissue that is not cancerous and will not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body.
Biotherapy:
Treatment to stimulate or restore the ability of the immune system to fight infection and disease. Also used to lessen side effects that may be caused by some cancer treatments. Also known as immunotherapy, biological therapy, or biological response modifier (BRM) therapy.
Bronchi:
The larger air passages of the lungs; the two main branches of the windpipe.
CA-125:
A protein that is produced by some abnormal ovarian cells and is detectable in a blood sample. Abnormally high levels of CA-125 in the blood can be a sign of ovarian cancer.
Cancer:
Develops when abnormal cells in a part of the body begin to grow out of control.
Cancer survivor:
Anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer, from diagnosis to end of life, is considered a cancer survivor.
Carboplatin:
Platinum based chemotherapy drug used in combination with GEMZAR for the treatment of ovarian cancer.
Carcinoma in situ:
Term that refers to a type of cancer that remains in place and does not spread or metastasize to other parts of the body. This can refer to cancer occurring in various organs of the body, including the lung and the breast.
Chemotherapy:
Treatment with medication, sometimes given orally, but more commonly by injection, into a vein or muscle to destroy cancer cells. Usually, it is a treatment that reaches every organ of the body through the bloodstream.
Cisplatin:
Platinum based chemotherapy drug used in combination with GEMZAR for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.
Clinical trial (clinical studies / research protocols):
Research study that seeks to answer scientific questions and to find better ways to prevent or treat cancer.
Combination therapy:
The use of more than one therapy to treat cancer.
CT scan:
Computerized tomography scan that produces highly detailed, cross-sectional (slices) of the body. CT scans show three-dimensional images that can help determine the size, shape, and location of a tumor.
Dietitian:
A specialist trained to recommend specific diets or additions to your diet.
Dyspnea:
Shortness of breath. Dyspnea occurs as a side effect of some chemotherapy drugs.
Endometriosis:
A condition where uterine tissue is found growing outside of the uterus. Endometriosis can cause elevated levels of CA-125 and can interfere with a diagnosis of ovarian cancer.
Endoscope:
A flexible viewing instrument used for diagnostic (biopsy) or therapeutic functions. The endoscope usually is introduced through an opening (orifice) in the body without the need to make a surgical incision.
Endoscopic ultrasound:
A procedure in which an instrument using ultrasonic waves (those beyond the range of human hearing) is introduced into the digestive track. The device can detect tumors anywhere from the mouth to the colon. If a tumor is located, a fine needle is used to take a tissue sample, or biopsy, for examination by a pathologist (a physician specializing in the identification of diseases.)
Epidermoid carcinoma (squamous carcinoma):
A type of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Epithelial:
A type of cell that lines the internal and external surfaces of the body or organs.
Goal of therapy:
The result that the patient and his or her healthcare team seek to achieve from treatment.
Hematuria:
Blood in the urine. Hematuria occurs as a side effect of some chemotherapy drugs.
Hormonal therapy:
Treatment or prevention of cancer by removing, blocking, or adding hormones that affect the growth of a tumor.
Indication:
The uses for which a specific drug is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Informed consent:
The process in which a person learns key facts about a clinical trial and voluntarily agrees to take part in it by signing a consent form describing the potential risks and benefits of treatment.
Infusion:
Slow and/or prolonged delivery of a drug or fluids through a vein or artery.
Insulin:
A hormone produced by the pancreas. Insulin controls the body's blood sugar (glucose).
Intraperitoneal therapy:
Treatment in which anticancer drugs are given directly into the abdomen through a thin tube.
Jaundice:
A condition in which there is yellowing of the whites of the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes. The staining is caused by bilirubin, the pigment found in bile.
Large cell carcinoma
A type of cancer with relatively large cells that appear abnormal.
Locally advanced:
Refers to cancer that is localized but demonstrated growth in its immediate surroundings and possibly into nearby lymph nodes.
Low blood counts:
A low level of blood cells circulating in the body, as measured by a blood test. There are three main types of blood cells that can have a low blood count: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Lymph nodes:
Glands of the lymphatic system.
Malignant:
Cancer that invades the tissue around it and spreads to other parts of the body.
Median survival:
In a clinical trial, the time at which half of the patients enrolled in the study are still alive.
Menopause:
When a woman permanently ceases to menstruate. This change typically occurs when a woman is in her late 40s or early 50s.
Metastasis:
The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another. Cancer that has spread has metastasized. Metastatic refers to a stage of cancer that has spread beyond the site or organ where the cancer began.
Metastatic breast cancer:
Invasive form of breast cancer that occurs when cancerous cells originating in the lobules or milk ducts spread into surrounding breast tissue and then potentially to other sites in the body.
MRI:
A technology used to visualize the structure and function of the body by providing detailed images in any plane.
Mutation:
A random change in a gene that has been linked to causing some types of cancer.
Needle biopsy:
A biopsy is done to confirm a cancer diagnosis, identify the type of cancer and its stage. A needle biopsy draws a small piece of tissue from the tumor through a syringe.
Neuropathy (peripheral neuropathy):
Numbness and/or tingling in the fingers or toes. Neuropathy occurs as a side effect of some chemotherapy drugs.
Neurotoxicity:
Poisonous to nervous tissue (both brain and peripheral nerves).
Neutropenia:
Low neutrophil blood cell count. A neutrophil is one of several types of white blood cells which are important in fighting infection.
Non-platinum drug:
Chemotherapy drugs that are not cisplatin or carboplatin.
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC):
Type of lung cancer characterized by its appearance and spread. Three subtypes of NSCLC include adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma.
Oncologist:
A healthcare professional who specializes in treating cancer.
Oncology nurse:
A nurse with special training in caring for cancer patients and giving cancer treatments.
Oncology pharmacist:
A pharmacist who specializes in preparing and dispensing cancer drugs and who can provide information about how a drug works and its side effects.
Ovarian cancer:
Cancer that affects the ovaries, which are small, almond-shaped female reproductive organs. The ovaries are located deep in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus.
Paclitaxel:
Chemotherapy drug used in combination with GEMZAR for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer after they have received another type of chemotherapy called an anthracycline, unless their medical condition did not allow them to receive an anthracycline.
Pancreatic cancer:
Cancer of the pancreatic duct cells is often called pancreatic cancer (also referred to as adenocarcinoma).
Paresthesia:
Numbness or tingling. Paresthesia occurs as a side effect of some chemotherapy drugs.
PET scan:
Positron emission tomography (PET) scan that can distinguish between normal cells and rapidly dividing cancer cells. PET scans often are used as a follow-up to other tests to determine if a tumor is malignant (cancerous) or benign.
Platelet:
Small blood cells that help stop bleeding by sticking to the site of the blood vessel injury, forming a clot and sealing off the injured blood vessel.
Platinum drug:
Cisplatin or carboplatin.
Protocol:
An action plan for a clinical trial. The plan states what will be done in the study and why. It outlines how many people will take part in the study, what types of patients may take part, what tests they will receive and how often, and the treatment plan.
Radiation therapy:
A treatment method that uses high-energy x-rays to destroy cancer cells.
Red blood cell:
Blood cells that transport oxygen from the lungs to the tissues of the body.
Self-advocate:
A person working on behalf of oneself to take an active role in one's own cancer care treatment.
Side effects:
Signs or symptoms that can occur as a result of treatment. Common side effects of cancer treatments may include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased blood cell counts, hair loss, numbness or tingling in the extremities, rash, and mouth sores.
Social worker:
A professional who works with patients to help them with emotional, financial, insurance, and other resources that they may need during the course of their cancer care.
Squamous cell carcinoma:
A type of lung cancer in which the cells are flat and look like fish scales.
Stage (staging):
A term used to describe the extent of a cancer and whether it has spread from the original site to other parts of the body.
Stomatitis:
Mouth or lip sores. Stomatitis occurs as a side effect of some chemotherapy drugs.
Surgery/Surgical intervention:
An operation to remove a tumor or to decrease the symptoms caused by the tumor.
Surgical biopsy:
Surgery performed to confirm a cancer diagnosis and to identify the type of cancer and its stage.
Symptom:
Something that a patient experiences in his or her body that is different from what is normal, and that may be the result of a disease or its treatment.
Toxicity:
Side effect of chemotherapy, the underlying disease, or complication of treatment. These may include patient-felt or paper toxicities.
Thrombocytopenia:
Low platelet count. Thrombocytopenia occurs as a side effect of some chemotherapy drugs.
Tumor:
An abnormal growth of tissue. Tumors may be either benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
White blood cell:
A group of blood cells that help the body fight infection and disease.
