You want to learn all you can about your cancer, but the words that doctors use may be new to you. That’s where this booklet can help. It explains many of the cancer terms that you may hear from your health care team.
Tell your doctor if something is not clear to you.
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To find cancer terms that are not in this booklet, visit The National Cancer Institute at www.cancer.gov/dictionary
All underlined words are explained in this guide.
A
Acute: An illness that comes on quickly but does not last long.
Adenoma: A tumor that is not a cancer.
Adjuvant treatment: (AD-joo-vent) Treatment given after the first treatment to increase the chances of a cure.
Alopecia: (al-oh-PEE-shuh) A loss of hair. It can be a side effect of some cancer treatments.
Alternative therapy: A treatment that most doctors feel is not proven to treat cancer. Examples: taking large amounts of vitamins or using magnet therapy. See also complementary therapy.
Analgesic: (AN-ul-JEE-zik) A drug used to reduce pain.
Anastomosis: (an-AS-ta-MO-sis) Tying together 2 the ends of a tube, such as a vein or intestine, after a diseased part of it has been removed.
Anemia: (uh-NEE-mee-uh) When the body does not make enough red blood cells. Signs can include looking pale and feeling tired.
Angiogenesis: (an-jee-oh-JEN-eh-sis) How the body develops blood vessels. This process helps a tumor grow.
Anorexia: (an-oh-REX-ee-uh) A loss of appetite that can occur as a result of cancer or therapies such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Antiandrogen: (an-tee-AN-dro-jen) A drug that keeps the body from making or using male sex hormones.
Antiangiogenesis: (an-tee-an-jee-oh-JEN-eh-sis) A way of keeping blood vessels from feeding tumors.
Antibody: A protein made by the body to help it fight infection.
Antiemetic: (an-tee-eh-MEH-tic) A drug used to prevent or reduce upset stomach and vomiting.
Antiestrogen: (an-tee-ES-tro-jen) A drug that keeps the body from making or using certain female sex hormones.
Antifungal: A drug used to treat infections caused by a fungus.
Antigen: A substance that causes the immune system to go into action.
Apoptosis: (ap-o-TOH-sis) A normal process in a cell that leads to its death.
Arrhythmia: (uh-RITH-me-uh) A heartbeat that is not normal.
Ascites: (uh-SIGH-teez) A build-up of fluid in the stomach, most often due to cancer or liver disease. It can cause swelling of the stomach.
Axillary nodes: (AK-seh-lair-ee) Lymph nodes in the armpit.
B
Barium enema: (BARE-ee-um) A thick, milky liquid that is given as an enema before an X-ray. It helps the bowels show up better on the X-ray.
Barium swallow: A thick, milky liquid that is given as a drink before an X-ray. It helps the throat show up better on the X-ray.
Benign tumor: (beh-NINE) A tumor that is not cancer and will not spread to any other part of the body.
Biopsy: (BY-op-see) Taking a small sample of cells from the body and looking at it closely. This helps doctors tell if the cancer will spread or get worse.
Biotherapy: A cancer treatment that helps the body fight off cancer. It is only used in certain kinds of cancer such as melanoma.
Blood counts: The number of blood cells in a sample of blood. Doctors use blood counts to check for illness or other health problems.
Bolus: (BO-lus) A single dose of a drug that is injected into a vein over a short period.
Bone marrow: A spongy substance inside bones that makes the blood cells.
Bone marrow biopsy: Inserting a needle into the hip bone and removing a small piece of bone marrow, which is then checked for cancer.
Bone marrow suppression: When the bone marrow stops making blood cells. Chemo drugs can sometimes cause this.
Bone marrow transplant (BMT): A way of using bone marrow cells to replace ones that have been lost or damaged. There are 2 kinds of BMT:
Bone scan: Looking at the bones to check for cancer. A bone scan can also show if there is bone damage or if the bones are healing.
Brachytherapy: (bra-key-THER-uh-pee) Planting tiny radioactive seeds into or near a tumor. See radiation.
Breast conserving surgery: Removing breast cancer but not the breast itself.
Bronchoscopy: (bron-KOS-ko-pee) Putting a small lighted tube through the nose or mouth into the airways of the lungs. This gives the doctor a clear view of the area.
C
Cachexia: ( kuh-KEK-see-uh) Losing weight and muscle as a result of cancer or other diseases.
Cancer: A disease in which body cells grow out of control. Cancer can invade nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.
Cancer in situ: (in-SIT-you) Very early cancer that has not spread to nearby tissue.
Carcinoma: (KAR-si-NO-muh) Cancer that starts in the skin or the lining of body organs. See also melanoma. There are several kinds of carcinoma:
Cardiomyopathy: (CAR-di-oh-my-AH-puh-thee) A disease of the heart muscle that causes it to pump poorly.
Case manager: A trained expert who helps patients manage nonmedical issues such as insurance or transportation.
CAT scan (also called a CT scan): A test that uses computers and X-rays to create pictures of the body’s organs.
CEA: A substance found in the blood of some patients with certain kinds of cancers, including colon cancer.
Cell division: How cells in the body grow in number. The cells divide (or split in two), forming new cells.
Central venous catheter: A tube placed into a large vein in the chest to supply fluids and drugs. It can also be used to get blood samples.
Cervical nodes: Glands in the neck and jaw that help fight infection.
Chemotherapy (chemo): (KEE-moe) A drug treatment that kills cancer cells. Doctors can use chemo in 3 different ways:
Cholinergic symptoms: (KO-lin-ER-jik) Side effects that sometimes occur after taking a medicine. They can include things like upset stomach, vomiting, sweating, or diarrhea. They usually go away after treatment stops.
Chronic: An illness that lasts a long time.
Clinical trial: A test to see how well a drug works on a disease and how safe it is. Patients must ask or be asked to take part in this kind of drug test.
Colonoscopy: (ko-lun-AHS-ko-pee) Putting a small lighted tube through the rectum into the colon. This allows the doctor to look inside the colon for signs of cancer.
Colostomy: (ko-LAHS-tuh-mee) An opening into the colon from outside of the body. This provides a new path for waste to leave the body.
Colposcopy: (kul-PAH-sko-pee) A test to look at the vagina and cervix.
Complementary therapy: Forms of treatment that some people use along with the doctor’s treatment. Examples include massage, vitamins, special teas, and yoga. See alternative therapy.
Congestive heart failure (CHF): CHF is the result of illnesses that weaken the heart. This keeps the heart from sending blood where it needs to go.
Control group: The people in a drug test whose results are used for comparison with other results in the test. This group may get a different treatment or no treatment at all.
Controlled trial: A drug test that includes a control group.
Cryosurgery: (KRY-o-SIR-jer-ee) Killing cancer cells by freezing them.
CT scan: See CAT scan.
Cyst: A pouch or pocket below the skin or inside an organ that has liquid or gel inside.
Cystectomy: (sis-TEK-tuh-mee) Surgery to remove all or part of the bladder.
Cystitis: (sis-TIE-tis) An infection in the bladder.
D
Diarrhea: Loose or watery bowel movements that happen more often than normal. Diarrhea is common during cancer treatment and can be managed, even if severe.
Dietitian: A trained expert who helps patients plan the best foods to eat during treatment. This helps keep patients’ weight and energy up.
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid): The “brains” inside of body cells that help to shape the way we look, think, and act.
Donor: A person who gives something to someone else (as in blood or a part of the body).
Dose: The amount of medicine taken, or radiation given, at one time.
Drug resistance: When the body gets so used to a drug that it no longer works.
Dysphagia: (dis-FAY-jee-a) Trouble or pain with swallowing.
E
Edema: ( eh-DEE-ma) Swelling caused by too much fluid in body tissues.
EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor): A protein that causes cells to divide. It is found in high levels on many kinds of cancer cells, making them grow quickly.
Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG): A test that measures the electrical signal of the heart. This helps doctors tell if the heart is healthy.
Electrolytes: (e-LECK-tro-lites) Chemicals in the body that keep fluids in balance and help organs work right.
Endoscopy: (en-DAHS-kuh-pee) Putting a small lighted tube down the throat. This allows the doctor to see inside the throat and stomach.
Epoetin: (ee-PO-eh-tin) A drug that helps the body form red blood cells.
Epothilone: (ep-o-THEE-lone) A drug that helps to block cell division. Some of these drugs are being tested as treatments for cancer.
Esophagitis: (eh-SOF-a-JY-tis) Swelling or soreness of the esophagus, or gullet.
Estrogen: (ES-tro-jen) A female hormone.
Estrogen receptor: A “gate” found on some cancer cells. It lets in estrogen, which the cell needs to keep growing.
Estrogen receptor-positive: Breast cancer cells that have a “gate” for estrogen. These cells can usually be treated with a drug that blocks the gate.
Excision: (ek-SI-zhun) Removing a small part of the body by cutting it out.
F
Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP): A rare illness in some families that causes polyps to grow in the colon. If untreated, it may lead to colon cancer.
Fine-needle aspiration: (as-per-AY-shun) Removing body tissue or fluid with a needle so it can be looked at very closely. Also called needle biopsy.
Fistula: (FIS-chuh-luh) An abnormal connection between 2 hollow areas of the body (including the skin). For instance, a hole that forms between the rectum and anus is called an anal fistula.
Frozen section: A thin slice of tissue that is frozen after taking it from the body. The sample is then looked at very closely for cancer.
G
Gastric: Having to do with the stomach.
G-CSF (granulocyte colony-stimulating factor): A drug that makes the body form white blood cells.
Genes: Pieces of DNA that pass from parents to their children. Genes help to shape the way we look, think, and act.
Growth factor: A substance in the body that controls cell growth. It can also be made in the lab.
GVHD (graft-versus-host disease): An illness that occurs when bone marrow from a donor causes problems in the body of the recipient. It is a common complication of allogenic BMT, but can occur with other similar transplants.
H
Hematocrit (Hct): (he-MA-tuh-crit) The amount of red blood cells in the blood. Low hematocrit can be a sign of anemia.
Hematologist: (he-muh-TAHL-uh-jist) A doctor who treats problems of the blood and bone marrow.
Hematuria: (he-ma-TUR-ee-uh) Blood in the urine.
Hemoglobin (Hb): (HE-muh-glow-bin) The part of red blood cells that carries oxygen to the body.
Hepatic: (he-PA-tick) Having to do with the liver.
Hodgkin’s disease: A cancer of the lymph organs, or lymph nodes. It can cause fever, weight loss, night sweats, and feeling tired.
Hormone: A kind of chemical that controls growth, sex, and how the body works.
Hormone receptor: A “gate” on a cell that lets in a certain hormone.
Hospice: Special care that is given to patients who are near the end of life. It may be offered at home or in a hospital.
Human leukocyte antigen test (HLA): A test that shows if substances from a donor will match those of a patient.
Hypersensitivity: (HI-per-SEN-si-TIV-i-tee) A reaction after taking a drug. This could be feeling nervous, being short of breath, or having a fast heartbeat.
I
Ileostomy: ( il-ee-AHS-tuh-mee) An opening into the bowels from outside of the body. This provides a new path for waste to leave the body.
Immunity (immune system): The body’s way of fighting off disease and infection.
Immunosuppression: (i-MEW-no-suh-PREH-shun) When the body is unable to fight off disease and infection.
Immunotherapy: (i-MEW-no-THER-uh- pee) See biotherapy.
Implanted port: A quarter-sized disc that is placed under the skin. It lets a doctor give drugs or draw blood without “sticking” a vein.
Informed consent: Learning all about a drug test—including how it may hurt you or help you—before deciding to take part in it.
Infusion: Putting drugs or fluids into the bloodstream over a period of time.
Injection: Putting a drug into the body through a needle. There are 3 main kinds of injection:
L
Laparoscopy: (lap-a-RAHS-ko-pee) Putting a small, lighted tube through the skin into the stomach. This allows a doctor to look inside the stomach for any signs of a health problem.
Laparotomy: (lap-a-RAH-tuh-mee) Making a cut in the wall of the stomach.
Laryngectomy: (LAIR-in-JEK-tuh-mee) Removing all or part of the voice box (larynx).
Lesion: (LEE-zhun) An area of tissue that is not normal. Lesions are caused by an injury or a disease (like cancer).
Leukemia: (loo-KEY-mee-uh) Cancer of the blood. There are 2 kinds of leukemia:
Leukopenia: (LOO-ko-PEE-nya) A low number of white blood cells.
Lumpectomy: (lump-EK-tuh-mee) Removing a breast tumor and a small amount of tissue around it, but not the breast itself.
Lymphatic system: (lim-FA-tick) The tissues and organs that white blood cells use to travel through the body and fight infection. Cancer cells can also use this network to spread through the body.
Lymphedema: (LIM-fa-DEE-ma) Swelling caused by too much fluid in the tissues. This sometimes happens after the lymph nodes are removed or blocked.
Lymph nodes: (limf ) Small, bean-shaped organs throughout the body that collect and kill bacteria. Cancer cells can spread through the lymph nodes.
Lymphocyte: (LIM-fo-site) A kind of white blood cell that helps fight infection and disease.
Lymphoma: (lim-FO-ma) A cancer of the lymph nodes. It may be Hodgkin’s disease or a non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
M
Malignant: ( ma-LIG-nant) A tumor that is cancer and can spread to other parts of the body.
Malignant tumor: A tumor made up of cancer cells. Benign tumors, on the other hand, are formed from normal cells and are not cancer.
Mammogram: (MAM-o-gram) An X-ray of the breast that helps a doctor look for cancer.
Mastectomy: (mas-TEK-toe-mee) Surgery to remove the breast.
Melanoma: (MEL-a-NO-ma) A form of skin cancer.
Metastasis: (meh-TAS-ta-sis) The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another.
Monoclonal antibody: (MAH-no-KLO-nul AN-tih-BAH-dee) A substance made in the lab that attaches itself to cancer cells wherever they are in the body. This helps doctors find and treat the cancer.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): (mag-NEH-tick REZ-o-nunz IM-uh-jing) Using magnetic waves to create clear pictures of the body.
Mucosa: (mew-KO-suh) The moist tissue that lines some organs and body parts, such as the nose, mouth, and lungs. Also called mucous membrane.
Mucositis: (mew-ko-SY-tis) A swelling or redness in the mucosa, usually in the mouth.
Multiple myeloma: (MY-uh-LO-muh) Cancer that starts in certain kinds of white blood cells.
Myelosuppression: (MY-uh-LO-suh-PRESH-un) When bone marrow is unable to form a normal amount of blood cells. This is a side effect of some cancer treatments.
N
Needle biopsy: See fine-needle aspiration.
Neoplasm: (NEE-o-PLA-zum) A growth of tissue that makes up a tumor.
Neuropathy: (noo-RAH-pa-thee) A nerve problem that can cause pain, numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness. Also called peripheral neuropathy.
Neutropenia: (NOO-tro-PEEN-yuh) A decrease in the number of neutrophils, a kind of white blood cell.
Neutropenic fever: A fever caused by a lack of white blood cells.
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: A group of cancers of the lymphatic system. It includes large cell lymphoma and B-cell lymphoma.
Non-small cell lung cancer: One of the types of cancer that starts in the lungs. Doctors spot this cancer by looking closely at the cells.
Nurse practitioner (NP): (prack-TI-shuh-ner) A nurse with more schooling than a registered nurse (RN). In some cases, patients will see an NP instead of a doctor.
O
Oncogene: (ON-co-jeen) A gene that directs cell growth. If it changes form, it can cause cancer to grow quickly.
Oncologist: (on-KOL-o-jist) A doctor with special training in the treatment of cancer.
Oncology: (on-KOL-o-jee) The study of cancer and its treatment.
Oncology fellow: A doctor who is getting extra training in cancer treatment.
Oncology nurse: A nurse who is skilled in treating people with cancer.
Oncology pharmacist: A pharmacist who is skilled in cancer drugs.
Overall survival: In a drug test, the length of time that most patients survive. Also called the survival rate.
P
Palliative treatment: (PAL-ee-uh-tiv) Care given to improve the life of patients who have cancer. The goal is to help a patient feel better—not to cure the disease.
Pap smear: Taking cells from a woman’s cervix to look for cancer or other problems. Also called a Pap test.
Paracentesis: (PAIR-a-sin-TEE-sis) Using a needle to remove extra fluid from the stomach.
Pathological fracture: A broken bone caused by disease. This can happen when cancer spreads to the bone.
Pathology: (pa-THOL-o-gee) Looking closely at tissue and fluids from the body to spot cancer cells. A doctor who does this is called a pathologist.
Performance status: A way of measuring how well a patient is able to live life and carry out daily tasks.
PET scan: Taking computer pictures of the bloodstream after sugar has been added to it. Since cancer cells use more sugar than normal cells, the pictures can be used to spot cancer in the body.
Phlebitis: (fle-BY-tis) Pain and swelling in a vein.
Photosensitivity: (FO-toh-SEN-si-TIV-i-tee) Being sensitive to bright light. This could include sunlight, filtered light, or light from a lamp.
Placebo: (pluh-SEE-bo) A substance used in a drug test to compare results with a real drug. Also called a sugar pill.
Plasma: (PLAZ-ma) A clear liquid that carries blood cells through the body.
Platelet count: The number of platelets in a sample of blood.
Platelets: Blood cells that help blood to clot (or thicken).
Pleural effusion: (PLOOR-al i-FEW-shun) Too much fluid in the lining of the lung.
Pleural tap: Removing extra fluid that has formed in the lining of the lung.
Pleurodesis: (PLOOR-o-DEE-sis) A treatment to keep fluid from building up in the lungs.
Polyp: (POL-ip) A growth that bulges from a mucosa. Polyps can be found in the bowel, bladder, throat, and nose.
Primary tumor: The place where a cancer starts.
Progesterone: (pro-JES-ter-own) A female hormone.
Progesterone receptor: A “gate” found on some cancer cells. It lets in progesterone, which the cell needs to keep growing.
Progesterone receptor-positive: Breast cancer cells that have a “gate” for progesterone. These cells can usually be treated with a drug that blocks the gate.
Prognosis: (prog-NO-sis) A patient’s chances of getting better.
Progression: (pro-GREH-shun) An increase in the size of a tumor, or the spread of cancer in the body.
Progression-free survival: How long a patient stays alive without his or her disease getting worse.
Prophylactic: (PRO-fa-LACK-tik) A drug that helps to prevent a side effect of cancer treatment.
Prostate: (PROS-tate) A gland in the male body that helps to make semen. The prostate surrounds part of the tube that empties the bladder.
Prostatectomy: (pros-ta-TEK-tuh-mee) Surgery to remove part or all of the prostate.
Prosthesis: (pros-THEE-sis) A body part made in a lab to replace a missing body part, such as a breast, arm, or leg.
Protocol: (PRO-toh-call) A treatment plan.
PSA (prostate-specific antigen): A body substance that all men have. The amount of PSA rises in men who have prostate cancer or other prostate problems.
R
Radiation: (ray-dee-AY-shun) Energy that travels through space. One form of radiation is sunshine, which delivers light and heat. Other forms of radiation are used in medical treatments such as X-rays and CAT scans. They can help doctors spot illness and cure disease.
Radiation oncologist: A doctor who is skilled in radiation therapy.
Radiation therapy: A cancer treatment that uses strong X-rays to kill cancer cells.
Radiologist: (ray-dee-OL-o-jist) A doctor who is skilled in reading X-rays and scans.
Randomization: (RAN-duh-muh-ZAY-shun) A system that randomly assigns patients to different drugs in a test. Every patient has an equal chance of getting any of the treatments.
Randomized trial: A drug test in which patients are randomly assigned to different kinds of treatments. This is a fair and honest way of comparing the treatments used in the test.
Recipient: (ree-SIP-ee-ent) A person who receives something from someone else (such as blood or a part of the body).
Reconstructive surgery (breast): (REE-kun-STRUCK-tiv) Surgery to reshape or rebuild the breast.
Recurrence: (ree-KER-ence) When cancer comes back.
Red blood cells (RBCs, erythrocytes): The blood cells that carry oxygen to all the parts of the body.
Regimen: A treatment plan that tells how to take a medicine.
Regression: When a tumor gets smaller.
Relapse: The return of cancer after it seemed to have gone away with treatment.
Remission: When signs of cancer have dropped off or gone away.
Renal: Having to do with the kidneys.
Response: Getting better because of treatment.
Response rate: The percentage of patients whose cancer shrinks or goes away after a certain treatment.
S
Sarcoma: ( sar-KO-ma) Cancers of the bone, cartilage, or muscle.
Side effects: Unpleasant things that can happen during a drug treatment. For cancer, this could be hair loss, upset stomach, or vomiting.
Social worker: A trained expert who provides counseling and helps patients find support after treatment.
Sputum: (SPEW-tum) Mucus and other matter that is brought up from the lungs by coughing.
Squamous cell: (SKWAY-mus) A flat cell that looks like a fish scale when seen under a microscope. Squamous cells cover surfaces inside and outside of the body.
Staging: A way of describing how far cancer has spread in the body.
Stem cells: Cells in the bone marrow that make all blood cells.
Stoma: (STO-ma) An opening from an area inside the body to the outside.
Stomatitis: (STO-ma-TIE-tis) Soreness and swelling of the mouth caused by treatment. It goes away when treatment ends.
Stool test: A test to check for hidden blood in the bowel movement.
Systemic disease: A disease that affects the whole body.
T
Targeted therapy: A treatment that attacks only cancer cells, not healthy ones.
Thrombocytopenia: (THROM-bo-SY-toe-PEEN-yuh) A platelet count that is lower than normal. This can cause bruising or extra bleeding from wounds.
Time to progression: The time from when a disease is found (or treated) until it starts to get worse.
TNM: A way of describing how much cancer is in the body. T stands for tumor, N stands for lymph node, and M stands for metastasis. The TNM score helps doctors tell at what stage the cancer is, and how best to treat it.
Tracheostomy: (TRAY-kee-AS-tuh-mee) Putting a tube through the neck into the throat to allow breathing.
Tumor: (TOO-mer) A lump that forms when cells grow out of control. Some tumors are a form of cancer; others are not.
Tumor markers: Signs of cancer. They turn up in the blood, urine, or other parts of the body.
Tyrosine kinase inhibitor: (TI-row-seen KI-naze in-HIB-eh-ter) A drug that keeps cells from “talking” to each other and growing. It is used to treat cancer, and may prevent tumor growth.
U
Ultrasound examination: A test that uses sound waves to form pictures of organs and other body parts.
Ureterostomy: (you-REE-ter-AHS-tuh-mee) Cutting the tube that carries urine to the bladder and bringing it out through the stomach. This allows urine to flow into a holding bag.
V
VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor): (VAS-ku-ler en-doh-THEEL-ee-ul) A substance in the body that makes new blood vessels. Some tumors keep growing by making large amounts of VEGF.
Virus: (VY-rus) A substance that can infect cells and cause disease.
W
White blood cells: Blood cells that help the body fight infection.
White blood count: The total number of white blood cells in a sample of blood.
Wide excision: (ek-SI-zhun) Removing both the tumor and a wide area around it.
X
X-ray: A way of taking pictures inside the body. It allows doctors to look closely at bones and some internal organs. See radiation.
SUU00237AE ©2009 Pfizer Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in USA/May 2009
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