The following list explains many of the commonly used terms when discussing cancer.
Antioxidant
Any substance that mops up free radicals and reduces their damaging effect on the body.
Aromatase inhibitors (Anit-aromatase compounds)
Drugs that reduce the blood levels of oestrogen in post-menopausal women.
Aspiration
Biopsy in which tissue is obtained by suction through a needle and syringe.
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Benign
A condition / growth / illness that never invades other tissues or spreads to other parts of the body. Benign tumours, however, can produce symptoms if they grow large enough to press on surrounding organs.
Beta-carotene
The most important form of the plant pigment carotene, which occurs in milk, vegetables and other foods. When eaten, the body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A.
Biopsy
The removal of some tissue or organ from the living body usually for examination to establish a diagnosis.
Bone scan
An extremely sensitive test using a small amount of radioactive tracer to show any areas of concern in bones a long time before they are visible on x-ray.
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Carcinogen
Any substance or agent that can produce a cancer.
Carcinoma
A malignant growth of epithelial cells these line the digestive tract and make up organs such as the liver, kidneys and pancreas.
Carotenoids
The pigments that give fruit and vegetables their dark colours and a possible cancer inhibitor.
CAT / CT scan
Computerised Axial Tomography. A computerised technique to examine a cross section of the entire body.
Cervical smear
A test for disorders of the cervical cells. Material is scraped from the uterine cervix and examined under a microscope.
Chemotherapy
The specific treatment of disease by the administration of chemical compounds.
Colposcope
A speculum for examining the vagina and cervix by means of a magnifying lens; used for the early detection of malignant changes.
Colposcopy
An examination using a colposcope to examine the surface of the cervix in detail, enabling doctors to gain an accurate diagnosis.
Comedo
Refers to necrosis.
Complementary therapies
The complete and balanced treatment of the body as a whole. Complementary therapy looks at symptoms and causes of disease and illness and their effects on the physical and emotional elements of life.
Cording
A pain experienced after breast surgery. Causes raised cord like structures to appear on the arm.
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Ducts
The tubes that transport milk to the nipple during feeding, and link the lobes together.
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Flavonoids
Fat-soluble polyphenols that have many properties, including antioxidant and free-radical scavenging.
Free radicals
Unstable atoms or molecules containing at least one unpaired electron (negative charge), making them highly reactive.
They are produced by the body as a normal consequence of metabolism, but many more can be created by cigarette smoke, ultraviolet light and illness. Production of free radicals is involved in many disease processes, as the chain reaction created by these reactive molecules can be damaging to cells and DNA.
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Hickman® catheter
A fine tube that is inserted into a vein through a small cut in the chest wall. It is used for the delivery of some chemotherapy drugs.
HRT
Hormone replacement therapy.
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Inhibitors
Compounds that help prevent abnormal cells from growing.
Intramuscularly
Within muscle tissue
Intravenously
Within a vein
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Lobes
The milk producing glands of the breast.
Lobules
Small sections of the lobes of the breast.
Lymph nodes
Located throughout the body, lymph nodes contain cells that act as filters to protect the body against disease. Cancer cells can use the lymph system to travel around the body.
Lymphoma
A malignant growth that has developed from cells in the lymph gland.
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Malignant
The term used to describe a tumour or growth that is cancerous. Malignant cells can invade other tissues and organs, spreading disease throughout the body.
Mammogram
Radiographic or infrared examination of the breast to detect abnormalities.
Mastectomy
The surgical removal of a breast.
Metastasis
The transfer of disease from one part of the body to another, through blood vessels, lymph channels or across body cavities.
Microcalcifications
Fine particles of calcium that build up in the breast tissue.
MRI scan
Magnetic Resonance Imaging. An imaging technique showing cross-sectional images in any plane of the body for examination.
Mutations
A chemical change in the genes of a cell causing it to show a new characteristic. Some produce evolutional changes, while others produce disease.
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Necrosis
An area of dead cancer cells, a consequence of rapid tumour growth.
Needle core biopsy
Tissue obtained by the puncture of a lesion with a needle. Rotation of the needle removes tissue within the lumen of the needle.
Non-comedo
Refers to no area of necrosis, signifying slower tumour growth.
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Oestrogen
A group of hormones essential for the functioning of the female reproductive system and sexual development.
Orally
Taken through or applied in the mouth.
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Palliative
Treatment that relieves, but does not cure, disease.
Palpate
Touch or pressure by the hand (for examination purposes).
Primary
Describes malignant cancers that have not spread (metastasised) to other areas of the body.
Promoter
Something that encourages the development and / or suppression of disease.
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Radiotherapy
Treatment of diseases by x-rays or radioactive isotopes.
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Sarcoma
A malignant growth that has developed from cells making up muscles, nerves or blood vessels.
Saturated fat
Saturated fats tend to be animal fats and are solid at room temperature. Butter, lard, suet and meat fat are saturated fats.
Screening
The carrying out of a test on a large number of people. Used for disease prevention / early indication.
Secondary
Describes cancer that has spread from a single site to other areas of the body.
Sentinel node
The first lymph node under the armpit draining the breast.
Sonographer
A radiographer with ultrasound experience.
Speculum
A medical instrument shaped like a duck's bill, which allows the cervix to be seen clearly.
Staging
The process of determining the stage to which an illness, especially cancer, has progressed. It is used as an important indication of the likely outcome, and to assess the most relevant form of treatment.
Subcutaneous
Beneath the skin.
Surgery
The branch of medicine that treats disease by operative measures. An operation.
Surgical biopsy
An operation where an area of concern is removed under local or general anaesthetic.
Systemic
Pertaining to or affecting the body as a whole.
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Tamoxifen
An anti-cancer drug used in the treatment of certain types of breast cancer. May also be used in some cases to treat prostate cancer.
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Ultrasound
Ultrasonic waves used to examine the interior soft tissues of the body.
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02/06/2009