Paul M. Insel,
Stanford University School of Medicine
Walton T. Roth,
Stanford University School of Medicine
| cancer | Abnormal, uncontrolled cellular growth.
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| malignant tumor | A tumor that is cancerous and capable of spreading.
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| benign tumor | A tumor that is not cancerous.
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| lymphatic system | A system of vessels that returns proteins, lipids, and other substances from fluid in the tissues to the circulatory system.
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| biopsy | The removal and examination of a small piece of body tissue; a needle biopsy uses a needle to remove a small sample; some biopsies require surgery.
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| metastasis | The spread of cancer cells from one part of the body to another.
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| carcinoma | Cancer that originates in epithelial tissue (skin, glands, and lining of internal organs).
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| epithelial layer | A layer of tissue that covers a surface or lines a tube or cavity of the body, enclosing and protecting other parts of the body.
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| sarcoma | Cancer arising from bone, cartilage, or striated muscle.
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| lymphoma | A tumor originating from lymphatic tissue.
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| leukemia | Cancer of the blood or the blood-forming cells.
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| bone marrow | Soft vascular tissue in the interior cavities of bones that produces blood cells.
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| oncologist 1613436 | A specialist in the study of tumors.
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| carcinogen | Any substance that causes cancer.
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| chemotherapy | The treatment of cancer with chemicals that selectively destroy cancerous cells.
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| remission | A period during the course of cancer in which there are no symptoms or other evidence of disease.
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| polyp | A small, usually harmless mass of tissue that projects from the inner surface of the colon or rectum.
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| mammography | Low-dose X rays of the breasts used to check for early signs of breast cancer.
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| ultrasonography | An imaging method in which sound waves are bounced off body structures to create an image on a TV monitor; also called ultrasound.
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| PSA blood test | A diagnostic test for prostate cancer that measures blood levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA).
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| incontinence | The inability to control the flow of urine.
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| impotence | The inability to have an erection or ejaculate; an inability to perform sexual intercourse.
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| Pap test | A scraping of cells from the cervix for examination under a microscope to detect cancer.
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| endometrium | The layers of tissue lining the uterus.
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| melanoma | A malignant tumor of the skin that arises from pigmented cells, usually a mole.
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| *ultraviolet (UV) radiation | Light rays of a specific wavelength emitted by the sun; most UV rays are blocked by the ozone layer in the upper atmosphere.
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| basal cell carcinoma | Cancer of the deepest layers of the skin.
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| squamous cell carcinoma | Cancer of the surface layers of the skin.
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| sunscreen | A substance used to protect the skin from UV rays; usually applied as an ointment or a cream.
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| chromosomes | The threadlike bodies in a cell nucleus that contain molecules of DNA; most human cells contain 23 pairs of chromosomes.
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| DNA | Deoxyribonucleic acid, a chemical substance that carries genetic information.
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| gene | A section of a chromosome that contains the nucleo-tide base sequence for making a particular protein; the basic unit of heredity.
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| mutagen | Any environmental factor that can cause mutation, such as radiation and atmospheric chemicals.
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| oncogene | A gene involved in the transformation of a normal cell into a cancer cell.
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| suppressor gene | A type of oncogene that normally functions to restrain cellular growth.
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| anticarcinogen | An agent that destroys or otherwise blocks the action of carcinogens.
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| carotenoid | Any of a group of yellow to red plant pigments that can be converted to vitamin A by the liver; many act as antioxidants or have other anticancer effects. The carotenoids include beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene, and zeaxanthin.
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| antioxidant | A substance that can lessen the breakdown of food or body constituents; actions include binding oxygen and donating electrons to free radicals.
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| free radicals | Electron-seeking compounds that can react with fats, proteins, and DNA, damaging cell membranes and mutating genes in their search for electrons; produced through chemical reactions in the body and by exposure to environmental factors such as sunlight and tobacco smoke.
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| phytochemical | A naturally occurring substance found in plant foods that may help prevent chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease; phyto means plant.
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| sulforaphane | A compound found in cruciferous vegetables that can turn on the body's detoxifying enzyme system.
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| nitrosamine | A carcinogen made in the stomach from nitrates and nitrites.
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| magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) | A computerized imaging technique that uses a strong magnetic field and radio frequency signals to examine a thin cross section of the body; also known as nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMR).
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| computed tomography (CT) | The use of computerized x ray images to create a cross-sectional depiction of tissue density.
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| induction chemotherapy | The use of chemotherapy prior to surgery to shrink a cancerous tumor and prevent metastasis; sometimes eliminates the need for radical surgery.
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| cytokine | A chemical messenger produced by a variety of cell types that helps regulate many cell functions; immune system cells release cytokines that help amplify and coordinate the immune response.
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| protease inhibitor | A drug that inhibits the action of any of the protein-splitting enzymes known as proteases. Because some proteases facilitate metastasis, protease inhibitors are being developed for cancer therapy.
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| tumor suppressor gene | A type of oncogene that normally functions to restrain cellular growth.
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| apoptosis | Genetically programmed cell death, in which the cell undergoes shrinkage, condensation of the nucleus, and fragmentation. Many cancer cells lose their ability to respond to the normal apoptosis triggers such as DNA damage.
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2002 McGraw-Hill Higher Education