Chapter 1. Cancer Dictionary Websites
Try #610.3 or R121.18 at the
library.
nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/medicalwords.html,
understanding medical words.
ecancerpatient.org/glossary.php
9-11.com/medref/medicaldictionaries.html
acronyms.thefreedictionary.com health.am/acronyms,
dictionary of medical acronyms and abbreviations.
acticare.com/jargon.asp
advancetherapynetwork.com/glossary/
allserv.rug.ac.be/~rvdstich/eugloss/dic, medical dictionary.
bc.sympatico.ca/me/patientsguide/glossary.htm
medwordlist.com
books.md, medical dictionary search engine, a very large
list of medical terms and definitions
calpatientguide.org/glossary.html
cancercenter.com/glossary livingahealthylifestyle.com/healthterms.html
cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/omd, mondofacto; medical dictionary
cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/omd, omd is a searchable dictionary
cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/omd/index
chorus.rad.mcw.edu/index/6.html, dictionary of orthopedics.
cll.ucsd.edu/glossary.htm pakmedinet.com/keywords.php
cts.usc.edu/glossaryofterms.html
danafarber.org/canbwh/dictionary
dfci.harvard.edu/can/dictionary
dictioapothecary.on.ca/articles.asp, medical dictionary.
dictionary.webmd.com
directhit.com/ansres/medical-slang-terms.html
disabled-world.com/definitions/medical-glossary.php
bcbs.com/coverage/glossary, healthcare coverage glossary.
dmu.edu/medterms/welcome, medical terminology short course.
drugs.com/dict
drugs.com/dict-w0.html
mondofacto.com/dictionary/contents/w.html, mondofacto dictionary the mondofacto
dictionary is a searchable dictionary of terms from medicine, science and
technology.
drugs-dictionary.com ctru.auckland.ac.nz/medglossary/a.html
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/list_of_medical_topics
erheadquarters.com/doctors_chart/medical_terms.htm
explore-health.com
fasthealth.com
fasthealth.com/dictionary
faughnan.com/medref/refs.html, references for medical notes.
findcounseling.com/glossary, interactive glossary of mental
health and disability terms.
free-medical-dictionary.com
gen.emory.edu/medweb
ghr.nlm.nih.gov/glossary
graylab.ac.uk/omd, online medical dictionary.
health.gov
health.yahoo.com
health-dictionary.com
health-dictionary.com/mental-health-terms/
healthdictionary.info
healthfinder.gov, medical dictionaries
healthkeywords.net
hoacny.com/html/resources.html
hyperdictionary.com/medical
intelihealth.com
intelihealth.com, dictionary
intelihealth.org, enter merriam webster.
interfold.com/translator, spreadsheet of medical and
technical words in english with equivalents in spanish, portuguese, french and
dutch.
ipoline.com/~guoli/med/dict0.htm
jklcompany.com, medical dictionary.
kemc.edu
lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/glossary.html, linus pauling
institute.
medforumslive.com/dictionary
medic8.com/medicaldictionary
medical.merriam-webster.com
medical.merriam-webster.com
medical.m-w.com
medical-dictionary.com
medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com
medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com
medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com
medilexicon.com/medicaldictionary.php
medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com, medical dictionary
medical-glossary.com
medicalglossary.net
medicalglossary.org
medicalrace.com/dictionary
medicinenet.com
medicinenet.com/alphaidx.asp
medicineword.com
medilexicon.com
medilexicon.com, Pharmaceutical and Medical Abbreviation
Dictionary
medilexicon.com/medicalabbreviations.php
medindia.net/glossary
mediphors.org
meditec.com/alternative-medical-words.html
medpen.net
meds.com/glossary.html
medtech.net
medterms.com
medword.com
medwordlist.com
members.shaw.ca/copingwithillness/glosrevbea.html,
conceptual glossary of medical terms.
mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/mc98-70/default.asp,
managed care glossary, national mental health information center.
merck.com/pubs/mmanual/
msjensen.cehd.umn.edu/1135/med_term_activites, medical
terminology prefixes
mtdesk.com
mtdesk.com/alpha.shtml, medical/surgical word glossary.
mtdesk.com/frame.php?frame=resources
mtdesk.com/tiki-index.php?page=medical+terminology, medical
transcription.
m-w.com/mwmedical/medical.htm, medical dictionary
mwsearch.com, medical world search engine that understands
medical terms.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/about/outreach/glossary.html.
needtogetinsurance.com/healthglossary.html
nhsdirect.nhs.uk/glossary/
nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/
nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/encyclopedia.html, medical
encyclopedia.
nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mplusdictionary.html, medical
dictionary
nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mplusdictionary.html, medical
dictionary.
nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mplusdictionary.html, merriam-webster
medical dictionary.
online-medical-dictionary.org
online-medical-dictionary.org, free medical dictionary
online-medical-dictionary.org
paulsmith.doctors.org.uk/archaicmedicalterms
pharma-lexicon.com
reference.md
sciencedaily.com/encyclopedia/health_science
sciencedaily.com/encyclopedia/list_of_medical_topics
sciencekomm.at/advice/dict.html
allserv.rug.ac.be/~rvdstich/eugloss/welcome.html, multilingual glossary of
medical terms.
scl.ncal.kaiperm.org/glossary, kaiser permanente's medical
glossary.
stenograph.com/educational/ref_stedmandict
stjude.org/glossary
tabers.com, taber's medical dictionary
thefreedictionary.com.
umm.edu/glossary/c/
washington.edu/healthresearch/definitions.html
webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/common-topics/default.htm, medical
library
wheelessonline.com, wheeless' textbook of orthopaedics, by
c.r. wheeless md
whonamedit.com
whonamedit.com, who named diseases.
wiki-trust.cse.ucsc.edu
yamabay.com/medical_terms.asp
your-doctor.com/healthinfocenter/medical-conditions
abta.org/understanding-brain-tumors/brain-tumor-dictionary,
Brain Tumor Dictionary.
cancervictors.net/resources/glossary
cancer.org/cancer/cancerglossary/index, Cancer
Glossary.
nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mplusdictionary.html, MedlinePlus;
Medical Dictionary.
mondofacto.com/dictionary, mondofacto; online medical
dictionary.
cancer.gov/dictionary, NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms.
genome.gov/glossary, Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms.
cancer.gov/publishedcontent/Js/TermDictionary
Really big, over 700 terms just for A.
Chapter 2. A Cancer Dictionary in Alphabetical
Order
I took the dictionary out because I could not convert this
book to ebook format if it’s beyond a certain size which is about 3.8
gigabytes.
Chapter
3. A Cancer Dictionary/ Glossary from cancerindex.org
cancerindex.org/medterm
cancerindex.org/glossary.htm
Therapeutic
doses of radioactive
iodine with the
ai, of destroying all
remaining thyroid tissues.
Acute
means sudden or
severe.
Adjuvant-Chemotherapy
chemotherapy
given as an
"add-on" to primary
cancer treatment, as in
surgery or radiotherapy.
Adriamycin
A trade name
for doxorubicin (see
entry).
Age-Adjusted-Mortality-Rate
Age is a
very important factor
in determining mortality, for example
people tend to
get different cancers
at different ages.
To compare the
mortality rates of
two or more
populations, differences in the
age distributions of the population
are removed by
using an age-adjusted
rate.
Aplastic-Anemia
anemia that is resistant to
treatment; often accompanied
by deficiencies of
other blood cells.
Autosome
Any
non-sex-determining
chromosome; in humans
there are 22
pairs of autosomes.
Barium-Enema
A bariu, enema (or
"lower GI series")
is procedure that
uses a bariu, sulfate enema
followed by an
X-ray to view
the colon and
rectum.
Bariu, sulfate
is a chalky
chemical that appears
white on X-ray
fil, thus showing the
lining of the
colon.
This helps identify
any abnormalities which
usually appear darker
on the X-rays.
Sometimes air can
also be pumped
into the intestine
in order to
sharpen the image.
Biopsy
This is the
removal of a
small section of
the tumor, the sample
will be analysed
by a histopathologist in
order to establish
a precise diagnosis.
Surgical procedure.
This may be
a needle biopsy, where
a very fine
needle is used
to take a
tiny sample of
the tumor.
Occasionally a surgeon
may remove the
whole tumor prior
to diagnosis; a
resection biopsy.
Cancer Statistics
Cardiotoxicity
damage to the
heart: is associated
with certain anti
cancer drugs, especially Adriamycin.
As such the
total dose of
these drugs may be limited
to reduce the
risk of cardiotoxicity.
Cell-Differentiation
is where normal
cells go through
physical changes in
order to for, the
different specialised tissues
of the body.
Malignant cells may
range fro, well-differentiated (closely
resembling the tissue
of origin) or
undifferentiated or anaplastic
(bearing little similarity
to the tissue
of origin).
In general it
is the undifferentiated or
anaplastic histologies which
are more aggressive.
Central-Line
a thin plastic
line into a
vein in the
chest used for
the delivery of
chemotherapy e.g.
HICKMAN® catheter.
Cervical cancer is
a common type
of malignancy accounting
for about 6%
of all cancers
found in women.
It is a
disease in which
cancerous cells develop
in the uterine
cervix (this is
the connecting passage
between the uterus
and vagina).
The peak incidence
of cervical cancer
occurs between the
ages of 40 to 55.
It is rare
before the age
of 35, however the
incidence of cervical
cancer in younger
women rose dramatically
during the two
decades after 1960.
Regular Pap smear
tests may detect
abnormal changes in
the cervical tissues, before cancer
develops.Symptoms of cervical
cancer may include
vaginal bleeding after
intercourse or bleeding
between periods.
However, in the early
stages of the
disease there are
often no obvious
signs or symptoms, so
regular smear tests
are important.
Childhood-Cancer
Childhood cancer is
rare, about 1 in
every 600 children
aged under 15
develop cancer, still very
little is known
about it's causes.
Compared with adult
cancers they tend to have
different histologies and
occur in different
sites of the
body.
Common adult cancers
such as lung, breast, colon, and stomach
are extremely rare
among children.
On the other
hand some types
of cancer are
almost exclusively found
in children, especially embryonal
tumors which arise
fro, cells associated with
the foetus, embryo, and early
postnatal period.
The overall cure
rate for childhood
cancer has drastically
improved over the
last 2 decades
in association with
clinical trials and
the development of
new treatments
Chromosome
Structures in the
cell nucleus which
contain the genes
responsible for heredity.
Normal human cells
contain twenty-three pairs
of chromosomes.
One of each
pair is inherited
separately fro, a person's
father and mother
Clinical-Trial
Research
conducted with patients, usually to
evaluate a new
treatment.
Each trial is
designed to answer
scientific questions and
to find better
ways to treat
individuals with a
specific disease.
Many times cancer
patients can receive
new, experimental treatments by
participating in a
clinical trial.
Colorectal-Cancer
is the second
most common type
of cancer, and accounts
for almost 80%
of cancers of
the digestive tract.
The vast majority
of colon and
rectu, cancers are adenocarcinomas, around 10% of these
are mucinous (protein
contained in mucus).
Surgery is the
main for, of treatment, though modest
benifits of adjuvant
chemotherapy have been
demonstrated.
The median age
at diagnosis is 70,
age adjusted incidence
rates are slightly
higher in males
compared to females.
A substantial proportion
of cases are
in those with
a genetic predisposition to
colorectal cancer.
Diet may also
have an influence
on the incidence
of colorectal cancer, diatry fibre, retinoids, and calciu, are
thought to be
protective, while high intake
of animal fats
may increases risk.Colorectal cancer
may develop fro, benign
polyps (a polyp
is a tumor
on a ste, most
commonly found on
mucous membranes).
Screening of high
risk populations (for
those over age
50, particularly those with
a 1st degree
relative dignosed with
colorectal cancer, or familial
predispostion to adenomatous
polyposis) may be
of benifit in
detecting colorectal cancer
at an early
stage.
Cytokines
Also known as colony stimulating
factors
DNA
This
abbreviation stands for
deoxyribonucleic acid.
DNA is the
component of the
chromosomes that carries
the genetic code
Dose-Intensity
In chemotherapy,
the total amount
of drug delivered
in a one-week
period.
Can be given
all at once
or over a
period of several
days.
Doxorubicin
doxorubicin
hydrochloride: An antibiotic
used to treat
several forms of
cancer.
Also known as
Adriamycin.
Enteral-Feeding
A method of nutritient delivery
where fluid is
given directly into
the gastrointestinal tract.
Enucleation
Removing the entire
eyeball; this operation may
be used for
advanced stage or
large ocular tumors.
For some smaller
malignant tumors laser
treatment may be
used (in conjunction
with chemotherapy) in
which the eye
can be salvaged.
Epidemiology
The study of
the distribution and
causes of diseases
in a population.
The process of
taking X-rays of
blood vessels that
have been injected
with a special
dye.
The dye allows
to person viewing
the X-ray to
see the blood
vessels.
Follow-up
When treatment is
complete the periodic
visits to the
physician are needed
to monitor the
patient and ensure
there has been
no recurrence of
the disease.
Fractions (RT)
the radiotherapy dose
is divided into
a number of
smaller doses (known
as fractions) to
reduce the risk
of side effects.
There is normally
one fraction per
day.
Haematology
The branch of
medicine that specialises
in the study
and treatment of
blood and blood
tissues (including bone
marrow).
Hamartoma
A benign nodule/
overgrowth of normal
mature cells that
are normally located
in the affected
part of the
body, usually with one
particular type of
cell predominating.
Hodgkin's-Disease
A malignancy of
the lymph tissue
(lymphoma) that occurs
most often in
males, and the peak
incidence is between
ages 15 and
35.
It is characterised
by progressive, painless enlargement
of the lymph
nodes, spleen, and general lymph
tissue.
Hyperfractionated-Radiotherapy
is where more
than one radiotheray
fraction is given
per day.
I-131
Radioactive Iodine.
Iodine is readily
uptaken by the
thyroid gland, therefore I-131
may be used
in small doses
for monitoring thyroid
tissues (thyroid scanning
or "I-131 challenge") or
in large doses
for treating thyroid
cancer ("ablative" I-131).
Immune-System
The body system, made
up of many
organs and cells, that
defends the body
against infection, disease,
and foreign substances.
The immune syste, is
often stimulated in
specific ways to
fight cancer cells.
Immunosuppression
The prevention or
supression of the
immune system.
For example some
drugs may have
the side effect
of dampening the
immune syste, making the
patient prone to infections.
Immunotherapy
Treatment of disease
by stimulating the
body's own immune
system.
This is a
type of therapy
currently being researched
as a treatment
for cancer.
Interferon
interferons: are Proteins
produced by the
body with the
specific purpose of
regulating cell functions.
Interferons are produced
in the laboratory
in large quantities, and are
sometimes used in
the treatment of
certain cancers.
Interleukin-2
A hormone-like substance
produced by the
body (certain blood
cells, specifically) that stimulates
the growth of
blood cells important
to the body's
immune system.
(IV) means into
a vein.
Laser-Therapy
Treatment using a
powerful, focused bea, of light
that produces intense
heat used to
burn away cancerous
or damaged tissue.
Leukaemia
A progressive,
malignant disease of
the blood and
blood-forming organs,
characterized by over-proliferation and
development of leukocytes
(a type of
white blood cell).
There are many
different forms of
leukemia.
Li-Fraumeni
Syndrome/ TP53
Lobe
A portion of
an organ such
as the liver, lung, breast, brain or
thyroid.
Li-Fraumeni Syndrome
A family cancer
syndrome.
Lymphocytes
are a type
of white blood
cell that fights
disease and infection
by producing antibodies
and other protective
substances.
There are 2
categories: a) B
cells these recognise
specific antigens and
produce antibodies to
combat them, and b) T cells
which are produced
in the lymph
system, and work in
conjunction with the
immune system.
Magnetic-Resonance-Imaging
(MRI)
A technique used
to image internal
stuctures of the
body, particularly the soft
tissues (muscles,organs, tendons,
etc.).
An MRI image
is often superior
to a normal
X-ray image.
Malignancy
The tendency of
certain diseases to
become progressively worse.A
malignancy is often
resistant to treatment
and can result
in death.
Monoclonal-Antibody
An antibody produced
in the laboratory
that can target
specific antigens (substances
that provoke an
immune response).
They can be
made in large
quantities, and are being tested
for their use
in cancer diagnosis
and treatment.
Multiple-Myeloma
A cancer of
the white blood
cells found in
the bone marrow.
Neoplasm
A new growth
of tissue serving
no physiological function
Nephrotoxicity
Some anti cancer
drugs may have
the side effect
of damaging the
kidneys, for example ifosfamide
and cisplatin are
known to be
nephrotoxic.
There are two
categories; glomerular and
tubular toxicity relating
to the two
main areas of the
nephron.
In studies of
ifosfamide the degree
of nephrotoxicity is
thought to be
related to the
cumulative dose, but there
is a good
deal of variability
between patients.
Neutropenia
below normal levels
of leukocytes in the
blood.
Febrile-neutropenia
(neutropenia with fever)
is a common
toxicity following chemotherapy.
Oncologist
A physician who, after
extensive training,
specializes in cancer
treatment.
Osteomyelitis
inflamation of bone; infection
Osteoporosis
reduction in bone
mass = prone
to fractures
Paediatric-Oncology
The branch of
medicine which specialises
in the study
and treatment of
childhood cancer.
Treating
children requires different
considerations compared with
adult oncology, for example
potential treatment side
effects may be
different to those
in adults.
Because of the
differences between childhood
and adult cancers
most children are
treated in specialist
paediatric oncology units, in
the UK about
80% of children
are treated at
a UKCCSG centre.
Not a cancer.
Paget's disease is
the most common
bone disorder characterised
by irregular thickening
and softening of the bones.
The disease is
more common after
the age of 40,
and is
frequent in those
of European descent
but rare in
Asians.
These is an
association with this
(non malignant) disease
and bone cancer, up
to 10% of
those with Paget's
disease will have
a 'sarcomatous transformation' of
affected bones giving
rise to bone
sarcoma.
This may be
osteosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, or other
bone sarcomas.
Pancytopenia
deficiency of all
types of blood
cells.
Pap-Test
This is a
simple microscopic examination
of cells, which can
detect cancer of
the cervix at
an early stage.
Partial
Thyroidectomy; removal of part
of the thyroid
eg.
lobectomy or hemithyroidectomy
Total Thyroidectomy;
removal of all
of the (remaining)
thyroid gland.
Pathology
The branch of
medicine concerned with
disease, especially its structure
and its functional
effects on the
body.
Peripheral-Blood-Stem-Cell-Rescue
(PBSC)
Phagocytosis
Cell eating: the
engulfment and destruction
of dangerous microorganisms or
cells by certain
white blood cells, including neutrophils
Phase-I Clinical Trial
Tests new types
of treatment and
ai, to define a
safe dose that
will be used
for further studies.
This is usually
the first testing
of a treatment
on humans after
extensive laboratory work.
Recruitment for Phase
I trials are
usually fro, patients for
who, no other effective
therapy is known.
Plasma-Cells
White blood cells
Platelets
A blood component
that is instrumental
in clot formation, which stops
bleeding in injured
areas and prevents
hemmorhage.
Blood cell fragments
containing clotting factors
which prevent bleeding
and bruising.
Polyp
A benign growth
protruding fro, a mucous
membrane, commonly found in
the nose, uterus, and rectum.
Certain polyps,
particularly those found
in the colon, can
become cancerous and
may require surgical
removal.
Prostate-Gland
A gland in
men that surrounds
the neck of
the bladder and
urethra.
The prostate contributes
to the production
of seminal fluid.
Pyrexia
fever/
abnormally high body
temerature
Radiation-Enteritis
functional
disorder of the
large and small
bowel that occurs
during or following
a course of
radiotherapy to the
abdomen, pelvis, or rectum.
Radiatiotherapy
Cancer
treatments which utilize
high-energy waves or
particles of radiation.
Recessive
(genetics) if the
required allele (a
type of gene)
is not present
in both members
of a pair
of chromosomes then
that allele is
not expressed.
A mutation is
said to be
recessive if an
individual must inherit
two copies of
the mutant gene, one
fro, each parent, to show
the mutant trait.
Individuals with one
mutant and one
normal gene appear
normal.
They are called
ÒcarriersÓ.
Red-Blood-Cell
red blood cell
(erythrocyte): Oxygen-carrying cell
in the blood
which contains the
pigment hemoglobin; produced
in the bone
marrow.
A type of
cell that indicates
the presence of
Hodgkin's disease.
The number of
these cells increases
as the disease progresses.
Regional
A tumor that
has extended beyond
the limits of
the organ where
it started, growing directly
into surrounding organs
or tissues, but has
not spread to
distant parts of
the body.
Risk Factors
Anything that has
been identified as
increasing an individual's
chance of getting
a disease.
Sarcoma.
A cancerous growth
of the bone, muscle, or connective
tissues, usually appearing first
as a painless
swelling.
Sigmoidoscopy
A procedure in
which a scope
is used to
view the sigmoid
flexure, a part of
the colon that's
shaped like the
letter S.
Surgery
An operation
Thyroidectomy
Surgical removal of
the thyroid gland.
Thyroxine
A hormone produced
by the thyroid
gland.
It contains iodine
which is essential
for the body's
normal growth, and metabolism.
Following
therapy for thyroid
cancer many patients
need to take
thyroxine supplements in
order to maintain
normal weigh and body functions.
Total-Body-Irradiation
radiation to the
whole body
Toxicity
Side effects of
treatment.
A substance in
the body that
may indicate the
presence of cancer.
Markers may be
secreted by the
tumor itself or
produced by the
body in response
to the cancer.
Tumor markers may
aid diagnosis or
give an indicator
of how treatment
is progressing.
These markers are
usually specific to
certain types of
cancer.
For example neuron-specific enolase
(NSE) is associated
with a number
of types of
cancers, in particular neuroblastoma.
Also
alphafetoprotein (AFP) levels
are often abnormally
high in patients
with Ger, cell tumors.
Ultrasound
The use of
sound waves to
image the underlying
structures of the
body.
Ultrasonic waves are
reflected differently depending
on the type
of tissue they
pass through, aiding the
detection of abnormal
tissues.
X-Ray
(1) Low dose
radiation used to make images
of internal body
structures; or (2)
High dose radiation
used to treat
cancer.
