Med. Term. Ch. 16 – Flashcards
Unlock all answers in this set
Unlock answersquestion
benign
answer
nonmalignant form of a neoplasm
question
cancer (CA)
answer
general term for a group of diseases characterized by an abnormal, uncontrolled growth of cells
question
cancerous
answer
pertaining to cancer
question
carcinogen
answer
any cancer-causing substance or organism
question
differentiation
answer
determination of how developed, or mature, the cancer cells are in a tumor
question
dysplasia
answer
abnormal growth of tissue
question
in situ
answer
in the original place or site without any expansion or spread
question
invasion
answer
the direct migration and penetration by cancerous cells into neighboring tissues
question
lesion
answer
a pathologic change in tissue resulting from disease or injury
question
malignant
answer
having the properties of locally invasive and destructive growth and metastasis
question
metastasis
answer
spread of a disease process from one part of the body to another
question
oncogenes
answer
mutated forms of genes that cause normal cells to grow out of control and become cancer cells
question
oncogenic
answer
causing or being suitable for the development of a tumor
question
recurrence
answer
the return of cancer after all visible signs of it had been eradicated previously
question
remission
answer
lessening in severity of disease symptoms; the period of time when a cancer is responding to treatment or is under control
question
adenocarcinoma
answer
malignant neoplasm composed of glandular tissue
question
adenoma
answer
benign neoplasm composed of glandular tissue
question
carcinoma
answer
malignant neoplasm of any epithelial tissue
question
fibroma
answer
benign neoplasm of fibrous connective tissue
question
fibrosarcoma
answer
malignant neoplasm of deep fibrous tissue
question
lipoma
answer
benign neoplasm of adipose (fat) tissue
question
liposarcoma
answer
malignant neoplasm of adipose (fat) tissue
question
malignant neoplasm
answer
tumor that invades surrounding tissue and is usually capable of metastasizing; can be located in any organ or tissue in the body
question
melanoma
answer
tumor characterized by a dark appearance; most commonly occurs in the skin or in the eye
question
neoplasm, tumor
answer
abnormal growth of new tissue into a mass; can be benign or malignant
question
neuroma
answer
tumor derived from nervous tissue
question
myeloma
answer
tumor composed of cells derived from bone marrow
question
sarcoma
answer
malignant neoplasm of connective tissue
question
basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
answer
a cancer that begins in the lowest layer of the epidermis of the skin
question
Kaposi sarcoma
answer
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)
question
melanoma of the skin
answer
a malignant skin cancer that arises from the melanocytes in the epidermis, usually caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation
question
squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
answer
a cancer that begins in the squamous cells located in the upper levels of the epidermis of the skin
question
gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST)
answer
a very rare cancer affecting the digestive tract or nearby structures within the abdomen
question
malignant neoplasm of the bladder
answer
cancerous tumor of the bladder
question
nephroma
answer
tumor of the kidney
question
urothelial carcinoma, transitional cell carcinoma
answer
cancer arising in the urothelium lining the urinary tract
question
Wilms tumor
answer
rare type of kidney cancer that affects children
question
Hodgkin disease
answer
abnormal malignant enlargement of lymph nodes, spleen, and liver; indicated by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells
question
leukemia
answer
cancer of the blood indicated by malignant increase in the number of white blood cells
question
lymphangioma
answer
mass or tumor of lymph vessels
question
lymphoma
answer
tumor of lymphoid tissue, including lymphocytes and plasma cells
question
non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)
answer
lymphoma other than Hodgkin disease
question
bronchogenic carcinoma
answer
carcinoma that arises from the mucosa of the large bronchi
question
mesothelioma
answer
a carcinoma of the mesothelium lining of the lungs or heart, usually associated with exposure to asbestos dust
question
oat cell carcinoma
answer
highly malignant form of lung or bronchogenic cancer in which cells appear small and rounded under a microscope
question
ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
answer
a breast cancer that is confined to the ducts and has not spread into the tissue of the breast
question
germ cell tumor
answer
cancer that begins in the egg-producing cells of the ovaries
question
stromal cell tumor
answer
cancer that begins in the cells of the ligaments of the ovaries
question
astrocytoma
answer
a tumor that arises from small, star-shaped cells in the brain and spinal cord
question
glioma
answer
cancer that arises from the glial cells of the nervous system
question
medulloblastoma
answer
cancer that develops from the primitive nerve cells in the cerebellum
question
meningioma
answer
benign and slow-growing tumor of the meninges
question
neuroblastoma
answer
a cancer of the nervous system
question
glomus tumor
answer
a benign but locally invasive tumor arising out of glomus tissue found in the middle ear, jugular bulb, and carotid artery
question
intraocular melanoma
answer
a malignant cancer that forms in the tissues of the eye
question
retinoblastoma
answer
a malignant ocular tumor of retinal cells
question
chondroma
answer
a common benign tumor arising from cartilage cells
question
chondrosarcoma
answer
a large malignant tumor arising from cartilage cells
question
Ewing tumor, Ewing sarcoma
answer
a malignant tumor found in bone or soft tissue
question
giant cell tumor
answer
a tumor of the tendon sheath that can be either benign or malignant
question
leiomyoma
answer
benign tumor of smooth (nonstriated) muscle
question
leiomyosarcoma
answer
malignant tumor of smooth (nonstriated) muscle
question
liposarcoma
answer
a malignant tumor of adipose (fat) tissue; occurs in the retroperitoneal tissues and the thigh
question
osteofibroma
answer
benign lesion of bone consisting chiefly of fairly dense, moderately cellular, fibrous connective tissue
question
osteosarcoma
answer
a fast-growing malignant type of bone cancer that develops in the osteoblast cells that form the outer covering of bone
question
rhabdomyoma
answer
benign tumor of striated muscle
question
rhabdomyosarcoma
answer
a highly malignant tumor of striated muscle
question
multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN)
answer
a group of disorders characterized by functioning tumors in more than one endocrine gland
question
pheochromocytoma
answer
a vascular tumor of the adrenal gland
question
pituitary adenoma
answer
a benign tumor arising in the pituitary gland
question
alpha fetoprotein (AFP)
answer
blood test for substance produced by tumor cells in the body; found in elevated levels in patients with ovarian cancer
question
estrogen receptors
answer
blood test for a type of protein present on some breast cancer cells to which estrogen attaches
question
human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) test
answer
blood test for the substance that, in elevated levels, may indicate cancer in the testis, ovary, liver, stomach, pancreas, or lung
question
Papanicolaou (Pap) test
answer
microscopic examination of cells collected from the vagina and cervix to detect abnormal changes (e.g., cancer)
question
prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
answer
blood test for substance produced only by the prostate; elevated levels may indicate prostate cancer in its early stages
question
tumor marker test
answer
various blood tests for specific substances produced by certain types of tumors
question
biopsy
answer
the process of removing tissue from living patients for diagnostic examination
question
fine needle aspiration (FNA)
answer
procedure of withdrawing cells from a lesion for examination with a fine needle on a syringe
question
radionuclide scan
answer
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
question
sentinel lymph node biopsy
answer
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
question
single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scan
answer
type of nuclear imaging test that shows how blood flows to tissues and organs; can help identify certain types of tumors
question
punch biopsy
answer
removal of a small oval core of skin for laboratory analysis using a sharp, hollow instrument
question
shave biopsy
answer
removal of a sample of skin for laboratory analysis using a scalpel to slice the specimen from the site
question
cholescintigraphy, hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan
answer
imaging test used to examine the function of the liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts
question
endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
answer
procedure using x-ray and injectable dye to examine disorders in the bile ducts, gallbladder, and pancreas
question
endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
answer
procedure using an ultrasound imaging device on the tip of an endoscope for evaluation of the bowel wall and adjacent structures
question
magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)
answer
procedure using magnetic resonance imaging and an injectable dye to examine problems in the bile ducts, gallbladder, and pancreas
question
lymph node biopsy
answer
removal of lymph node tissue for pathologic evaluation
question
bone marrow aspiration
answer
removal of a small amount of fluid and cells from inside the bone with a needle and syringe
question
bone marrow biopsy
answer
removal and evaluation of a small amount of bone along with fluid and cells from inside the bone
question
lumbar puncture (LP)
answer
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
question
thoracoscopy, pleuroscopy
answer
endoscopic examination of the thorax made through a small opening in the chest wall
question
prostate biopsy
answer
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
question
transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)
answer
ultrasound imaging of the prostate done through the rectum; used to diagnose prostate cancer
question
cervical conization, cone biopsy
answer
biopsy of the cervix in which a cone-shaped sample of tissue is removed from the cervix
question
colposcopy
answer
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
question
endometrial biopsy
answer
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
question
mammography
answer
an x-ray examination of the breasts; used to detect breast tumors
question
brachytherapy, seed implantation
answer
procedure by which radioactive "seeds" are placed inside cancerous tissue and positioned to kill nearby cancer cells
question
cryosurgery
answer
the use of freezing temperatures to destroy tissue
question
debulking surgery
answer
excision of a major part of a tumor that cannot be completely removed
question
palliative surgery
answer
surgery that is performed to relieve pain or other symptoms but not to cure the cancer or prolong a patient's life
question
radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
answer
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
question
reconstructive surgery
answer
surgery performed to return function and appearance to a specific area of the body after removal of a tumor
question
Mohs surgery
answer
surgical procedure that involves removing and examining a piece of tumor in the skin bit by bit until the entire lesion is removed
question
colectomy
answer
excision of all or part of the colon
question
esophagectomy
answer
excision of the diseased portion of the esophagus and all associated tissues that might contain cancer
question
gastrectomy, Billroth operation I and II
answer
excision of part or all of the stomach
question
pancreaticoduodenectomy, Whipple operation
answer
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
question
cystectomy
answer
surgical removal of part or all of the bladder
question
fulguration
answer
destruction of tissue by means of high-frequency electric current; commonly used to remove tumors from inside the bladder
question
nephrectomy
answer
excision of a kidney
question
transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURB)
answer
excision of a tumor from the bladder through the urethra using a resectoscope
question
lymphadenectomy
answer
excision of a lymph node
question
bone marrow transplant (BMT)
answer
transfer of bone marrow from one person to another
question
peripheral stem cell transplant
answer
the collection and freezing of stem cells from the blood, which are then reintroduced into the patient after chemotherapy
question
lobectomy
answer
excision of a lobe (of the lung)
question
pneumonectomy
answer
excision of the lung
question
wedge resection
answer
excision of part of a lobe of the lung
question
prostatectomy, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
answer
removal of prostate tissue through the urethra using a resectoscope
question
Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP)
answer
gynecologic procedure that uses a thin, low-voltage electrified wire loop to cut out cancerous tissue in the cervix
question
mastectomy
answer
excision of a breast to remove a malignant tumor
question
modified radical mastectomy
answer
excision of a breast along with some of the underlying muscle and lymph nodes in the adjacent armpit
question
radical mastectomy
answer
excision of the breast as well as the underlying muscles and lymph nodes in the adjacent armpit
question
simple mastectomy
answer
excision of a breast, leaving the underlying muscles and the lymph nodes intact
question
myomectomy
answer
excision of myomas
question
craniectomy
answer
excision of part of the cranium to access the brain
question
stereotactic radiosurgery
answer
radiation therapy technique for treating brain tumors by aiming high-dose radiation beams directly at the tumors
question
enucleation
answer
removal of an eyeball
question
iridectomy
answer
excision of part of the iris (for very small melanomas)
question
laryngectomy
answer
excision of all or part of the larynx, usually to treat cancer of the larynx
question
amputation
answer
surgical removal of an entire limb
question
limb salvage surgery
answer
surgical procedure in which only the cancerous section of bone is removed but nearby muscles, tendons, and other structures are left intact
question
parathyroidectomy
answer
excision of a parathyroid gland
question
thyroidectomy
answer
excision of the thyroid gland
question
transsphenoidal resection
answer
excision of a pituitary adenoma by making an incision through the nose to the bottom of the skull where the pituitary gland is located
question
external beam radiation
answer
procedure by which a beam of high-energy radiation is applied externally directly to the tumor to minimize damage to other tissues
question
radiation therapy
answer
the use of high-energy x-rays or other particles to kill cancer cells
question
aromatase inhibitors
answer
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
question
chemoprevention
answer
the use of natural or synthetic products to keep cancer at bay or to stop the disease process before it becomes invasive
question
chemotherapy
answer
regimen of therapy that uses chemicals to treat cancer
question
adjuvant chemotherapy
answer
chemotherapy given in addition to surgery, to destroy remaining residual tumor or to reduce the risk of recurrence
question
interstitial chemotherapy
answer
placement of chemotherapy drugs directly into a tumor
question
intrathecal chemotherapy
answer
delivery of chemotherapy drugs into the spinal canal
question
palliative chemotherapy
answer
chemotherapy that is given to relieve pain or other symptoms of cancer but not to cure it
question
epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor therapy
answer
drugs that interfere with the growth of individual cancer cells
question
hormonal therapy
answer
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
question
immunotherapy, biologic therapy
answer
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
question
gynecologic oncology
answer
medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of cancers of the female reproductive system
question
gynecologic oncologist
answer
physician who specializes in the care and treatment of women with gynecologic cancers
question
medical oncology
answer
medical specialty concerned with the use of medical and chemotherapeutic treatments of cancer
question
medical oncologist
answer
physician who specializes in treating cancer with chemotherapy
question
oncology
answer
medical specialty concerned with the physical, chemical, and biologic properties and features of cancers
question
oncologist
answer
physician who specializes in the science of oncology
question
pediatric oncology
answer
medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancers and blood diseases
question
pediatric oncologist
answer
physician who specializes in the treatment of childhood cancers and blood diseases
question
radiation oncology
answer
radiologic specialty concerned with radiation treatment as the main mode of treatment for cancer
question
radiation oncologist
answer
physician who specializes in treating cancer with high-energy x-rays to destroy cancerous cells
question
surgical oncology
answer
surgical specialty concerned with the surgical aspects of cancer
question
surgical oncologist
answer
physician who specializes in the surgical aspects of cancer, including biopsy and tumor staging and resection
