Cancer Glossary A-C

Front 1

Acute leukemia

Back 1

a rapidly progressing cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of white blood cells to be produced and enter the blood stream

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Acute

Back 2

symptoms or signs the begin and worsen quickly; not chronic

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Analgesic

Back 3

a drug that reduces pain. Include aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

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Anemia

Back 4

a condition in which the number of red blood cells is below normal

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Anorexia

Back 5

an abnormal loss of the appetite for food

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Antibody

Back 6

a type of protein made by certain white blood cells in response to a foreign substance.

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Antidepressant

Back 7

a drug used to treat depression.

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Antiemetic

Back 8

a drug the prevents or reduces causes and vomiting .

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Ascites

Back 9

abnormal build-up of fluid in the abdomen that may cause swelling.

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Barium Enema

Back 10

a procedure in which a liquid whit barium in it is put into the rectum and colon by way of the anus.

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Barium Swallow

Back 11

a series of x-rays of the esophagus.

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Benign

Back 12

not cancerous. do not spread to tissues around them or to other parts of the body.

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Biopsy

Back 13

the removal of cells or tissues for examination under the microscope.

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Bone Marrow biopsy

Back 14

the removal of a sample of tissue from the bone marrow with a needle for examination under a microscope.

Front 15

Bronchoscopy

Back 15

a procedure in which a thin, lighted tube is inserted through the nose or mouth.

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Cancer

Back 16

a general term for a large group of diseases, all characterized by uncontrolled growth, invasion and spread of abnormal cells to other parts of the body.

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Carcinogen

Back 17

any substance that initiates or promotes the development of cancer. For example, asbestos.

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Carcinoma

Back 18

cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs.

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Carcinoma in situ

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cancer that involves only the cells in which it began and that has not spread to nearby tissues.

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CAT scan

Back 20

a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles; the pictures are created by a computer linked to an X-Ray machine.

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Chemotherapy

Back 21

treatment with anticancer drugs.

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Colonoscopy

Back 22

an examination of the inside of the colon using a thin, lighted tube inserted into the rectum.

Front 23

Colostomy

Back 23

an opening into the color from the outside of the body.

Front 24

congestive heart failuer

Back 24

weakness of the heart muscle that leads to a buildup of fluid in body tissues.

Front 25

Cystitis

Back 25

inflammation of the bladder.