Chapter 16 Medical Terminology: Oncology and Cancer Related Terms – Flashcards
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Benign
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Nonmalignant form of a neoplasm
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Cancer (CA)
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General term for a group of diseases characterized by an abnormal, uncontrolled growth of cells
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Cancerous
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Pertaining to cancer
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Carcinogen
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Any cancer-causing substance or organism
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Differentation
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Determination of how developed, or mature, the cancer cells are in a tumor
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Dysplasia
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Abnormal growth of tissue
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In Situ
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In the original place or site without any expansion or spread
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Invasion
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The direct migration and penetration by cancerous cells into neighboring tissues
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Lesion
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A pathologic change in tissue resulting from disease or injury
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Malignant
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Having the properties of locally invasive and destructive growth and metastasis
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Metastasis
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Spread of a disease process from one part of the body to another
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Oncogenes
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Mutated forms of genes that cause normal cells to grow out of control and become cancer cells
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Oncogenic
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Causing or being suitable for the development of a tumor
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Recurrence
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The return of cancer after all visible signs of it had been eradicated previously
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Remission
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Lessening in severity of disease symptoms; the period of time when a cancer is responding to treatment or is under control
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Adenocarcinoma
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Malignant neoplasm composed of glandular tissue
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Adenoma
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Benign neoplasm composed of glandular tissue
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Carcinoma
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Malignant neoplasm of any epithelial tissue
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Fibroma
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Benign neoplasm of any epithelial tissue
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Fibrosarcoma
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Malignant neoplasm of deep fibrous tissue
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Lipoma
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Benign neoplasm of adipose (fat) tissue
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Liposarcoma
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Malignant neoplasm of adipose (fat) tissue
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Malignant Neoplasm
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Tumor that invades surrounding tissue and is usually capable of metastasizing; can be located in any organ or tissue in the body
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Melanoma
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Tumor characterized by a dark appearance; most commonly occurs in the skin or in the eye
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Neoplasm, syn. Tumor
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Abnormal growth of new tissue into a mass; can be benign or malignant
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Neuroma
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Tumor derived from nervous tissue
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Myeloma
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Tumor composed of cells derived from bone marrow
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Sarcoma
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Malignant neoplasm of connective tissue
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Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
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A cancer that begins in the lowest layer of the epidermis of the skin
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Kaposi Sarcoma
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Type of cancer found in the tissues under the skin or mucous membranes that line the mouth, nose, and anus; most commonly seen in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
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Melanoma of the Skin
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A malignant skin cancer that arises from the melanocytes in the epidermis, usually caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation
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Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
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A cancer that begins in the squamous cells located in the upper levels of the epidermis of the skin
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Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST)
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A very rare cancer affecting the digestive tract or nearby structures within the abdomen
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Malignant Neoplasm of the Bladder
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Cancerous tumor of the bladder
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Nephroma
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Tumor of the kidney
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Urothelial Carcinoma, syn. Transitional Cell Carcinoma
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Cancer arising in the urothelium lining the urinary tract
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Wilms Tumor
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Rare type of kidney cancer that affects children
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Hodgkin Disease
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Abnormal malignant enlargement of lymph nodes, spleen, and liver; indicated by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells
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Leukemia
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Cancer of the blood indicated by malignant increase in the number of white blood cells
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Lymphangioma
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Mass or tumor of lymph vessels
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Lymohoma
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Tumor of lymphoid tissue, including lymphocytes and plasma cells
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Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL)
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Lymphoma other than Hodgkin disease
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Bronchogenic Carcinoma
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Carcinoma that arises from the mucosa of the large bronchi
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Mesothelioma
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A carcinoma of the mesothelium lining of the lining of the lungs or heart, usually associated with exposure to asbestos dust
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Oat Cell Carcinoma
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Highly malignant form of lung or bronchogenic cancer in which cells appear small and rounded under a microscope
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Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS)
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A breast cancer that is confined to the ducts and has not spread into the tissue of the breast
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Germ Cell Tumor
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Cancer that begins in the egg-producing cells of the ovaries
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Stromal Cell Tumor
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Cancer that begins in the cells of the ligaments of the ovaries
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Astrocytoma
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A tumor that arises form small, star-shaped cells in the brain and spinal cord
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Glioma
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Cancer that arises from the glial cells of the nervous system
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Medulloblastoma
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Cancer that develops from the primitive nerve cells in the cerebellum
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Meningioma
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Benign and slow-growing tumor of the meninges
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Neuroblastoma
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A cancer of the nervous system
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Glomus Tumor
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A benign but locally invasive tumor arising out of glomus tissue found in the middle ear, jugular bulb, and carotid artery
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Intraocular Melanoma
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A malignant cancer that forms in the tissues of the eye
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Retinoblastoma
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A malignant ocular tumor of retinal cells
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Chondroma
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A common benign tumor arising from cartilage cells
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Chondrosarcoma
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A large malignant tumor arising from cartilage cells
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Ewing Tumor, syn. Ewing Sarcoma
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A malignant tumor found in bone or soft tissue
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Giant Cell Tumor
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A tumor of the tendon sheath that can be either benign or malignant
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Leiomyoma
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Benign tumor of smooth (nonstriated) muscle
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Leiomyosarcom
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Malignant tumor of smoot (nonstraited) muscle
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Liposarcoma
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A malignant tumor of adipose (fat) tissue; occurs in the retroperitoneal tissues and the thigh
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OSteofibroma
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Benign lesion of bone consisting chiefly of fairly dense, moderately cellular, fibrous connective tissue
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Osteosarcoma
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A fast-growing malignant type of bone cancer that develops in the osteoblast cells that form the outer covering of bone
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Rhabdomyoma
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Benign tumor of striated muscle
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Rhabdomyossarcoma
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A highly malignant tumor of striated muscle
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Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN)
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A group of disorders characterized by functioning tumors in more than one endocrine gland
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Pheochromocytoma
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A vascular tumor of the adrenal gland
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Pituitary Adenoma
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A benign tumor arising in the pituitary gland
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Alpha Fetoprotein (AFP)
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Blood test for substance produced by tumor cells in the body; found in elevated levels in patients with ovarian cancer
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Estrogen Receptors
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Blood test for a type of protein present on some breast cancer cells to which estrogen attaches
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Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) Test
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Blood test for the substance that, in elevated levels, may indicate cancer in the testis, ovary, liver, stomach, pancreas, or lung
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Papanicolaou (Pap) Test
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Microscopic examination of cells collected from the vagina and cervix to detect abnormal changes (e.g., cancer)
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Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)
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Blood test for substance produced only by the prostate; elevated levels may indicate prostate cancer in its early stages
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Tumor Marker Test
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Various blood tests for specific substances produced by certain types of tumors
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Biopsy
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The process of removing tissue from living patients for diagnostic examination
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Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA)
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Procedure of withdrawing cells from a lesion for examination with a fine needle on a syringe
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Radionuclide Scan
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Imaging scan in which a small amount of radioactive substance is injected into the vein; a machine measures levels of radioactivity in certain organs, which may indicate abnormal areas or tumors
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Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
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Removal and examination of the sentinel nodes, which are the first lymph nodes to which cancer cells are likely to spread from a primary tumor
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Single Photon Emission Computed Tomorgraphy (SPECT) Scan
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Type of nuclear imaging test that shows how blood flows to tissues and organs; can help identify certain types of tumors
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Punch Biopsy
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Removal of a small oval core of skin for laboratory analysis using a sharp, hollow instrument
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Shave Biopsy
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Removal of a sample of skin for laboratory analysis using a scalpel to slice the specimen from the site
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Cholescintigraphy, syn. Hepatobiliary Iminodiacetic Acid (HIDA) Scan
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Imaging test used to examine the function of the liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts
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Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
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Procedure using x-ray and injectable dye to examine disorders in the bile ducts, gallbladder, and pancreas
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Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)
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Procedure using an ultrasound imaging device on the tip of an endoscope for evaluation of the bowel wall and adjacent structures
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Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)
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Procedure using magnetic resonance imaging and an injectable dye to examine problems in the bile ducts, gallbladder, and pancreas
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Lymph Node Biopsy
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Removal of lymph node tissue for pathologic evaluation
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Bone Marrow Aspiration
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Removal of a small amount of fluid and cells from inside the bone with a needle and syringe
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Bone Marrow Biopsy
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Removal and evaluation of a small amount of bone along with fluid and cells from inside the bone
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Lumbar Puncture (LP)
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The process of inserting a needle into the subarachnoid space of the lumbar spine to obtain cerebrospinal fluid for analysis; used to determine if leukemic cells are present
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Thoracoscopy, syn. Pleuroscopy
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A procedure in which tissue samples are removed from the body for examination under a microscope to determine whether cancerous or other abnormal cells are present
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Transrectal Ultrasound (TRUS)
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Ultrasound imaging of the prostate done through the rectum; used to diagnose prostate cancer
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Cervical Conization, syn. Cone Biopsy
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Biopsy of the cervix in which a cone-shaped sample of tissue is removed from the cervix
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Colposcopy
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Visual examination of the tissues of the cervix and vagina using a lighted microscope (colposcope) to identify abnormal cell growth and, if necessary, remove a tissue sample for biopsy
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Endometrial Biopsy
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Procedure whereby a sample of the endometrium of the uterus is removed from the body and examined under a microscope; used to check for uterine cancer
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Mammography
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An x-ray examination of the breasts; used to detect breast tumors
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Brachytherapy, syn. Seed Implantation
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Procedure by which radioactive "seeds" are placed inside cancerous tissue and positioned to kill nearby cancer cells
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Cryosurgery
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The use of freezing temperatures to destroy tissue
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Debulking Surgery
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Excision of a major part of a tumor that cannot be completely removed
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Palliative Surgery
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Surgery that is performed to relieve pain or other symptoms but not to cure cancer or prolong a patient's life
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Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
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Procedure in which a surgical oncologist uses a small probe to deliver heat from radiofrequency energy to kill cancerous tissue; used primarily to treat liver, prostate, renal, bone, and breast cancer
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Reconstructive Surgery
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Surgery performed to return function and appearance to a specific area of the body after removal of a tumor
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Mohs Surgery
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Surgical procedure that involves removing and examining a piece of tumor in the skin but by bit until the entire lesion is removed
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Colectomy
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Excision of all or part of the colon
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Esophagectomy
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Excision of the diseased portion of the esophagus and all associated tissues that might contain cancer
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Gastrectomy, syn. Billroth Operation I and II
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Excision of part of the stomach
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Pancreaticoduodenectomy, syn. Whipple Operation
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Partial excision of the stomach, complete excision of the gallbladder, a portion of the bile duct, head of the pancreas, portions of the small intestine, and regional lymph nodes to stop the spread of cancer in these areas
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Cystectomy
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Surgical removal of part or all of the bladder
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Fulguration
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Destruction of tissue by means of high-frequency electric current; commonly used to remove tumors from inside the bladder
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Nephrectomy
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Excision of a kidney
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Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor (TURB)
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Excision of a tumor from the bladder through the urethra using a resectoscope
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Lymphadenectomy
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Excision of a lymph node
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Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT)
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Transfer of bone marrow from one person to another
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Peripheral Stem Cell Transplant
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The collection and freezing of stem cells from the blood, which are then reintroduced into the patient after chemotherapy
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Lobectomy
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Excision of a lobe (of the lung)
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Pneumonectomy
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Excision of the lung
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Wedge Resection
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Excision of part of a lobe of the lung
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Prostatectomy, syn. Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)
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Removal of prostate through the urethra using a resectoscope
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Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP)
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Gynecologic procedure that uses a thin low-voltage electrified wire loop to cut out cancerous tissue in the cervix
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Mastectomy
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Excision of a breast to remove a malignant tumor
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Modified Radical Mastectomy
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Excision of a breast along with some of the underlying muscle and lymph nodes in the adjacent armpit
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Radical Mastectomy
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Excision of the breast as well as the underlying muscles and lymph nodes in the adjacent armpit
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Simple Mastectomy
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Excision of a breast, leaving the underlying muscles and the lymph nodes intact
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Myomectomy
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Excision of myomas
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Craniectomy
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Excision of part of the cranium to access the brain
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Sterotactic Radiosurgery
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Radiation therapy technique for treating brain tumors by aiming high-does radiation beams directly at the tumors
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Enucleation
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Removal of an eyeball
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Iridectomy
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Excision of part of the iris (for very small melanomas)
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Laryngectomy
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Excision of all or part of the larynx, usually to treat cancer of the larynx
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Amputation
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Surgical removal of an entire limb
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Limb Salvage Surgery
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Surgical procedure in which only the cancerous section of bone is removed but nearby muscles, tendons, and other structures are left intact
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Parathyroidectomy
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Excision of a parathyroid gland
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Thyroidectomy
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Excision of the thyroid gland
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Transsphenoidal Resection
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Excision of a pituitary adenoma by making an incision through the nose to the bottom of the skull where the pituitary gland is located
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External Beam Radiation
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Procedure by which a beam of high-energy radiation is applied externally directly to the tumor to minimize damage to other tissues
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Radiation Therapy
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The use of high-energy x-rays or other particles to kill cancer cells
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Aromatase Inhibitors
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Group of drugs designed to reduce estrogen levels in a woman's body and stop the growth of cancer cells that depend on estrogen to live and grow
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Chemoprevention
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The use of natural or synthetic products to keep cancer at bay or to stop the disease process before it becomes invasive
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Chemotherapy
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Regimen of therapy that uses chemicals to treat cancer
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Adjuvant Chemotherapy
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Chemotherapy given in addition to surgery, to destroy remaining residual tumor or to tumor or to reduce the risk of recurrence
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Interstitial Chemotherapy
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Placement of chemotherapy drugs directly into a tumor
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Intrathecal Chemotherapy
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Delivery of chemotherapy drugs into the spinal canal
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Palliative Chemotherapy
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Chemotherapy that is given to relieve pain or other symptoms of cancer but not to cure it
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Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Inhibitor Therapy
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Drugs that interfere with the growth of individual cancer cells
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Hormonal Therapy
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Use of hormones to stop a tumor from growing, to relieve symptoms caused by a tumor, or to replace the hormone that is needed by the body to function properly after a body part is removed due to cancer
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Immunotherapy, syn. Biologic Therapy
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Method of boosting the body's natural defenses to fight cancer by using materials made either by the body or in a laboratory to bolster, target, or restore immune system function
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Gynecologic Oncology
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Medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of cancers of the female reproductive system
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Gynecologic Oncologist
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Physician who specializes in the care and treatment of women with gynecologic cancers
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Medical Oncology
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Medical specialty concerned with the used of medical and chemotherapeutic treatments of cancer
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Medical Oncologist
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Physician who specializes in treating cancer with chemotherapy
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Oncology
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Medical specialty concerned with the physical, chemical, and biologic properties and features of cancers
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Oncologist
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Physician who specializes in science of oncology
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Pediatric Oncology
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Medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancers and blood diseases
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Pediatric Oncologist
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Physician who specializes in the treatment of childhood cancers and blood diseases
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Radiation Oncology
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Radiologic specialty concerned with radiation treatment as the made mode of treatment for cancer
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Radiation Oncologist
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Physician who specializes in treating cancer with high-energy x-rays to destroy cancerous cells
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Surgical Oncology
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Surgical specialty concerned with the surgical aspects of cancer
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Surgical Oncologist
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Physician who specializes in the surgical aspects of cancer, including biopsy and tumor staging and resection
