Adenocarcinoma - a cancer that starts in the cells of some internal organs and has secretory traits similar to those of glandular tissue.
Adenoma - a benign tumor in which the cells that line the surfaces or cavities of parts of the body form structures like those of glandular tissue; or in which the cells are clearly composed of glandular epithelium.
Adenomatous - pertaining to adenoma.
Adjuvant - treatment used in addition to the main cancer treatment. Usually refers to hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or immunotherapy after surgery to increase the chances of curing the disease or lowering the risk of recurrence.
Adjuvant therapy - treatment given after therapy, such as chemotherapy after surgery, to increase the chances of cure or containment.
Androgen - the main male hormone, such as testosterone.
Anemia - condition in which the number of red blood cells are less than normal, usually caused by either a drop in red blood cell production, or by loss or destruction of blood.
Antibody - a specialized immune protein made by white blood cells in response to the presence of an antigen in the body in order to help destroy it.
Antigen - a substance that stimulates an immune response in the body.
Benign - a non-cancerous lump or abnormality.
Biopsy - a diagnostic test in which a sample of tissue is removed and examined under a microscope by a pathologist to determine the presence of cancer.
Bladder - the pouch where urine collects in the body.
Bone marrow - the fatty blood-forming network of connective tissue that fills the cavities of bones.
BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) - a common condition in which the prostate gland becomes enlarged as a man ages.
Brachytherapy - a type of radiation therapy in which tiny radioactive “seeds” are implanted directly into or near the cancer tissue.
Breast cancer - cancer of the breast tissue where cells in the breast grow uncontrollably, forming a tumor.
Cancer - a disease caused by the out-of-control growth of the body’s cells, caused by damage to the cells’ DNA.
Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) - a substance normally found in fetal tissue. If found in an adult, it may suggest that a cancer may be present. CEA is used as a tumor marker, especially with cancers of the digestive system.
Carcinoma in situ - describes a cancer in its earliest stage when it has not spread beyond its primary site to distant organs. Also known as non-invasive or pre-invasive cancer.
Catheter – a flexible, tubular surgical instrument that is inserted into a cavity of the body to withdraw or introduce fluid.
Chemotherapy – the use of drugs to kill cancer. Can be introduced into the bloodstream by mouth or injection, and circulates throughout the body.
Chromosomes - structures in the cell nucleus that are the bearers of genes.
Clinical trial - a study designed to show whether or not a treatment for a disease is effective and/or safe, or to find out more about a disease itself.
Colectomy - surgical removal of either a segment or all of the colon.
Colon – the longest portion of the large intestine closest to the stomach. It is connected at one end to the small intestine and to the anus at the other.
Colonoscopy - a procedure to screen for cancer, in which a lighted flexible tube is placed in the rectum into the colon so the doctor can see and examine the entire colon.
Colostomy - an opening into the colon from the abdomen which provides a path for elimination of waste products. A colostomy is sometimes needed after surgery for cancer of the rectum.
Combination chemotherapy
- treatment consisting of the use of two or more chemicals to achieve maximum destruction of tumor cells.
Comorbidity - the condition of having two or more diseases at the same time.
CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) codes -
uniform codes assigned to every medical task and service provided to a patient, used by insurers to determine the amount of reimbursement that a practitioner will receive from an insurer.
Cryosurgery - or “cryotherapy,” a technique which uses nitrogen to freeze and kill prostate cancer cells.
CT scan - a computer-assisted X-ray technique that produces detailed images of the body that can show where metastases are. It can also help an oncologist, surgeon, and radiologist to decide the best treatment plan.
Cytokine - a protein released by cells that has a specific effect on the interactions between cells, on communications between cells, or on the behavior of cells.
Cytotoxic - pertaining to or toxic to cells; cell killing; any agent or process that kills cells.
Digestive system - the organs (salivary glands, mouth, esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, small and large intestines, and rectum) that take food and break it down into energy for the body to use, and allow waste products to leave the body through bowel movements.
Digital rectal exam (DRE) - an exam in which a doctor inserts a gloved and lubricated finger (digit) into the rectum to feel for any unusual or irregular areas of the prostate.
Diverticulosis or Diverticulitis - conditions that occur in organs like the stomach or colon when small pouches or sacs (diverticula) in the organ walls become inflamed. Diverticulitis may be a risk factor of certain cancers.
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) – a cellular component that provides instructions on how cells should behave.
Double-contrast barium enema (DCBE) - a series of X-rays of the colon and rectum. The patient is given an enema containing a barium solution, and air is pumped into the rectum. The barium and air outline the colon and rectum on the X-rays. Polyps may be seen by using this procedure.
Ducts - tiny tubes in the female breast that transport milk from the milk glands to the nipple.
Endorectal ultrasound (EUS) - a procedure in which an endoscope (a thin, lighted tube) is inserted into the body through the rectum and used to bounce high-energy sound waves (ultrasound) off internal organs to make echoes that form a picture (sonogram).
Epiglottis - the piece of cartilage that acts as the lid of the windpipe.
Epithelial - relating to the epithelium, the outer cell layer that covers the skin as well as other surfaces of the body, such as the mucus membranes.
Estrogen - a key female hormone that can sometimes cause cancer to grow.
External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) - a type of cancer treatment in which high-energy X-rays emitted by an external machine are focused on the diseased organ to kill cancer cells.
Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) - an inherited condition where numerous polyps grow in the walls of the rectum or colon, increasing the risk of developing colorectal cancer.
Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) - a test used to screen for colorectal cancer, in which a stool (feces) sample is examined for blood.
First-line therapy - the initial treatment for patients with cancer, followed by other treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, or hormone therapy.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy - a test to screen for cancer, in which a thin, lighted, tube-like instrument is placed in the rectum so the doctor can examine the lower colon. It can be helpful in retrieving tissue for further testing.
Gene - instructions, written in DNA, which tell your body how to make the proteins it needs to function. You inherit your genes from your parents, who inherited their genes from their parents, and so on.
Gland - an organ that produces substances such as hormones, digestive juices, sweat, tears, saliva, semen, and milk.
Grade - a number score assigned to a cancerous biopsy sample that describes how aggressive a cancer is and how fast it is likely to grow and spread.
Hand-foot syndrome - an occasional side effect from certain cancer treatments. Patients experience discomfort such as swelling, tingling, pain, numbness, or redness in their hands or feet.
Hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC)
- a rare type of colorectal cancer (approximately 3%-5% of all cases) which is caused by a specific gene.
Hormone - a substance made by a gland in the body. Hormones control the actions of certain cells and organs.
Incontinence - an inability to control urination.
Immunoglobulin - a protein that helps the body fight infection.
Immunomodulators - agents that affect the immune response by suppressing or enhancing the body’s immune system and inhibits the production of lymphocytes.
Immunotherapy - therapy that stimulates the body’s own immune system to help it fight infections, cancer, or other diseases.
Impotence - inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual penetration.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) - a general term to describe conditions that cause the colon and rectum to become inflamed. Conditions classified under IBD include Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Infusion - a method for introducing medicine or other fluids into the bloodstream.
Invasive (metastatic) - a cancer that has spread from its original location to other parts of the body.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) - an intestinal disorder that causes diarrhea, constipation, diarrhea alternating with constipation, abdominal bloating, abdominal pain or discomfort, and mucus in the stool.
Larynx (voice box) - the upper part of the respiratory passage, containing the vocal cords and used for talking, breathing, and swallowing.
Leukocyte - a type of immune cell, also called a white blood cell.
Leukocytosis - an abnormally large number of leukocytes.
Leukopenia - lower-than-normal white blood cell count. It is a possible side effect of chemotherapy.
Liver metastases - the spread of cancerous tumors from a distant organ to the liver.
Liver resection - surgery to remove a diseased or cancerous portion of the liver. In some patients, a liver surgeon can remove metastases, improving the patient’s prospects.
Lobule - a gland in the breast that makes milk.
Local therapy - a treatment that affects only cancer cells and the area close to the tumor.
Lumpectomy - surgery to remove a cancerous tumor and some surrounding normal tissue from the breast, leaving as much of the breast intact as possible.
Lymph - a transparent fluid that carries white blood cells (lymphocytes) to and from tissues throughout the body. Lymph travels via a body-wide network of passageways called the lymphatic system.
Lymphadenopathy - disease or swelling of the lymph nodes.
Lymphocytes - infection-fighting white blood cells.
Lymphocytosis - a form of leukocytosis in which there is an increase in the number of lymphocytes.
Lymph node - small, bean-shaped group of immune system cells connected by lymphatic vessels. Lymph nodes, or lymph glands, filter lymph (lymphatic fluid), and store lymphocytes (white blood cells). They are located along lymphatic vessels.
Lymphatic vessel - small, vein-like passageway that carries a clear fluid called lymph away from an organ.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - a non-invasive way to take pictures of the internal parts of the body by using radio waves and a strong magnet connected to a computer.
Mastectomy - surgery to remove all of the breast tissue, and sometimes additional tissues nearby.
Metastatic (invasive) - a cancer that has spread from its original location to another part (or parts) of the body.
Metastasis - a process that takes place in advanced cancer, in which cancer spreads from the primary site to other parts of the body.
Mutation - changes or damage to the DNA of a cell. Certain mutations may lead to cancer.
Neoadjuvant therapy - treatment given before primary treatment, such as chemotherapy before surgery to shrink large tumors to be small enough to remove.
Neuropathy - nerve abnormality or damage to the nerves, usually resulting in symptoms such as numbness, tingling, pain, or muscle weakness. It may be caused by injury, infection, disease, or by drugs.
Neurotoxicity - the damage to the nervous system likely caused by some cancer treatments.
Neutropenia - an abnormally low number of a particular type of white blood cell, which can sometimes be a side effect of chemotherapy. Neutropenia increases a patient’s susceptibility to infection.
Nonpolypoid lesions - colorectal polyps that are flat or recessed into the colon wall.
Oncologist - a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer.
Oral cavity - the region of the inside of the mouth, which contains many different types of tissues in a small area, such as the tongue, the gums, the salivary glands, the roof and floor of the mouth, and the inside of the cheeks.
Palliative care - also called supportive care or symptom management. Treatment not to cure cancer but to reduce disease severity or slow its progress to improve quality of life for patients who have serious or life-threatening diseases.
PARP (Poly ADP-Ribose Polymerase) inhibition
- a new cancer therapy in which a specific enzyme called PARP is targeted, possibly making chemotherapy more effective in treating triple-negative breast cancer.
Partial mastectomy - surgery to remove more of the breast tissue than a lumpectomy, but leaving as much of the breast intact as possible.
Pathologist - a doctor who specializes in identifying disease by studying cells and tissues taken from a biopsy under a microscope.
PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan - procedure in which a small amount of radioactive glucose (sugar) is injected into a patient’s vein, and a scanner creates detailed computerized photos of places inside the body that are using more glucose than normal cells would—an indication of a cancer site.
Pharynx - beginning behind the nose, the pharynx is part of both the digestive and respiratory tracts (passageways). It is located between the mouth and the esophagus, and is usually about 5 inches in length.
Platelet - An irregular, disk-shaped structure found in the blood which helps with clotting.
Polyp - a small growth of tissue that develops on the lining of a body passage or cavity. Polyps may be benign, premalignant, or malignant. In the colon or rectum, benign polyps can sometimes become cancerous.
Polypectomy - surgery performed to remove a polyp.
Polyposis - the development of multiple polyps.
Progesterone - a key female hormone that can sometimes cause cancer to grow.
Prognosis - medical outlook. The likelihood of recurrence, surviving, and recovering from a disease.
Prostate - a gland in the male reproductive system that produces a fluid that becomes part of semen.
Prostate cancer - the presence of
cancerous cells in the prostate.
PSA (Prostate-specific antigen) test - a measure of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a protein produced in the prostate.
Radiation therapy (radiotherapy) - the use of X-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
Radical mastectomy - surgery to remove all of the breast tissue, underarm lymph nodes, and the chest wall muscles under the breast.
Radical prostatectomy - surgery to treat prostate cancer where the entire prostate gland and some surrounding tissue is removed. When cancer spread to nearby lymph nodes is likely, they are also removed, along with both seminal vesicles and other surrounding tissues. In “nerve-sparing” radical prostatectomy, the nerves to the penis that control erections are left intact.
Rectum - the last several inches of the large intestine closest to the anus.
Recurrent - a cancer that returns in a person who seemed to be disease-free after treatment.
Resection surgery - surgery performed to remove tissue in an organ, part of an organ (segmental resection), or an entire organ.
Retrograde ejaculation - a common type of abnormal ejaculation in which semen enters the bladder instead of going out through the urethra.
Salivary glands - glands in the mouth that make saliva that helps start the process of breaking down food.
Second-line therapy - treatment that is given when initial treatment (first-line therapy) is not working.
Segmental resection - surgery performed to remove part of an organ or gland, or a tumor and surrounding normal tissue.
Seminal vesicles - a pair of glands that lie on either side of the male prostate. They produce the sugar- and protein-rich fluid that nourishes semen.
Sigmoidoscopy - a procedure in which a doctor inserts a narrow instrument called a sigmoidoscope into the rectum. This lets the doctor examine both the rectum and the descending portion of the colon for polyps or other abnormalities.
Sinus - mucous-lined cavities around the nose that play a role in breathing.
Stage (of cancer) - a term that refers to the extent of the disease.
Staging - a way to describe how advanced a cancer is, which helps a doctor to forecast how well a patient may do over time, and how to best treat them.
Stroma - fatty tissue and connective tissue surrounding the lobules, ducts, blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels of the breast.
Systemic therapy - treatment that circulates through the bloodstream that can affect cells all over the body.
Testosterone - a male hormone (androgen) made in the testicles that can trigger the prostate to grow.
Thrombocytopenia - a lower-than-normal platelet count that results in increased risk of bleeding; a possible side effect of chemotherapy.
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) - an aggressive type of breast cancer; about 10-20% of all breast cancer diagnoses are TNBC.
Tumor - a solid mass of cancer cells.