A drug that is being
studied for its ability to enhance the effectiveness of
fluorouracil and prevent gastrointestinal side effects
caused by fluorouracil. It belongs to the family of
drugs called antimetabolites.
|
A measure of the
percentage of cells in a tumor that are in the phase of
the cell cycle during which DNA is synthesized. The
S-phase fraction may be used with the proliferative
index to give a more complete understanding of how fast
a tumor is growing.
|
A solution of salt and
water.
|
(SAL-ih-vair-ee)
Glands in the mouth that
produce saliva.
|
(sal-PIN-go
o-o-for-EK-toe-mee)
Surgical removal of the
fallopian tubes and ovaries.
|
Treatment that is given
after the cancer has not responded to other treatments.
|
A radioactive substance
used in cancer therapy.
|
A substance found in
soybeans and many other plants. Saponins may help lower
cholesterol and may have anticancer effects.
|
A drug that belongs to the
family of drugs called protease inhibitors. It
interferes with the ability of a virus to make copies of
itself.
|
An anticancer drug that
belongs to the family of drugs called alkylating agents.
|
A cancer of the bone,
cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other
connective or supportive tissue.
|
A colony-stimulating
factor that stimulates the production of white blood
cells, especially granulocytes and macrophages, and
cells (in the bone marrow) that are precursors of
platelets. It is a cytokine that belongs to the family
of drugs called hematopoietic (blood-forming) agents.
Also called granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating
factor (GM-CSF).
|
A growth factor used to
stimulate the production of blood cells during cancer
chemotherapy. Also called leridistim.
|
Pictures of structures
inside the body. Scans often used in diagnosing,
staging, and monitoring disease include liver scans,
bone scans, and computed tomography (CT) or computerized
axial tomography (CAT) scans and magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) scans. In liver scanning and bone
scanning, radioactive substances that are injected into
the bloodstream collect in these organs. A scanner that
detects the radiation is used to create pictures. In CT
scanning, an x-ray machine linked to a computer is used
to produce detailed pictures of organs inside the body.
MRI scans use a large magnet connected to a computer to
create pictures of areas inside the body.
|
An anticancer drug that
belongs to the family of drugs called biological
response modifiers. SCH 54031 is a cytokine. Also called
PEG-interferon alfa-2b.
|
An anticancer drug that
belongs to the family of drugs called enzyme inhibitors.
|
A drug that inhibits the
growth of tumor cells that express the mutated p53 gene.
|
(SHIL-er)
A test in which iodine is
applied to the cervix. The iodine colors healthy cells
brown; abnormal cells remain unstained, usually
appearing white or yellow.
|
(shwah-NO-ma)
A tumor of the peripheral
nervous system that begins in the nerve sheath
(protective covering). It is almost always benign, but
rare malignant schwannomas have been reported.
|
A person who has studied
science, especially one who is active in a particular
field of investigation.
|
A chronic disorder marked
by hardening and thickening of the skin. Scleroderma can
be localized or it can affect the entire body
(systemic).
|
Checking for disease when
there are no symptoms.
|
(SKRO-tum)
In males, the external sac
that contains the testicles.
|
An herb used in
traditional Chinese medicine to treat certain medical
problems. It may have anticancer effects.
|
(SEE-bum)
An oily substance produced
by certain glands in the skin.
|
Refers to a new primary
cancer that is caused by previous cancer treatment, or a
new primary cancer in a person with a history of cancer.
|
Surgery performed after
primary treatment to determine whether tumor cells
remain.
|
Cancer that has spread
from the organ in which it first appeared to another
organ. For example, breast cancer cells may spread
(metastasize) to the lungs and cause the growth of a new
tumor. When this happens, the disease is called
metastatic breast cancer, and the tumor in the lungs is
called a secondary tumor. Also called secondary tumor.
|
Cancer that has spread
from the organ in which it first appeared to another
organ. For example, breast cancer cells may spread
(metastasize) to the lungs and cause the growth of a new
tumor. When this happens, the disease is called
metastatic breast cancer and the tumor in the lungs is
called a secondary tumor. Also called secondary cancer.
|
A substance that is being
studied as a treatment for cancer. It belongs to the
family of drugs called DNA-intercalating compounds. Also
called CI-958.
|
(sis-TEK-to-mee)
The removal of cancer as
well as some of the bladder tissue around the tumor.
Sometimes called partial cystectomy.
|
(mas-TEK-toe-mee)
The removal of a cancer as
well as some of the breast tissue around the tumor and
the lining over the chest muscles below the tumor.
Usually some of the lymph nodes under the arm are also
taken out. Also called partial mastectomy.
|
(SEE-zhurz)
Convulsions; sudden,
involuntary movements of the muscles.
|
An error in choosing the
individuals or groups to take part in a study. Ideally,
the subjects in a study should be very similar to one
another and to the larger population from which they are
drawn (for example, all individuals with the same
disease or condition). If there are important
differences, the results of the study may not be valid.
|
(sel-EK-tiv
ESS-tro-jen re-SEP-tor MOD-yew-lay-tor)
SERM. A drug that acts
like estrogen on some tissues but blocks the effect of
estrogen on other tissues. Tamoxifen and raloxifene are
SERMs.
|
An essential dietary
mineral.
|
A depression of the bone
at the base of the skull where the pituitary gland is
located.
|
The fluid that is released
through the penis during orgasm. Semen is made up of
sperm from the testicles and fluid from the prostate and
other sex glands.
|
Fluid from the prostate
and other sex glands that helps transport sperm out of
the man's body during orgasm. Seminal fluid contains
sugar as an energy source for sperm.
|
(SEM-in-al VES-ih-kulz)
Glands that help produce
semen.
|
(sem-in-O-ma)
A type of cancer of the
testicles.
|
An anticancer drug that
belongs to the family of drugs called alkylating agents.
|
The root of an herb called
Polygala senega. It has been used in some cultures to
treat certain medical problems, including problems of
the respiratory system.
|
A precancerous condition
of thick, scaly patches of skin. Also called solar or
actinic keratosis.
|
Having to do with the
senses.
|
The first lymph node that
cancer is likely to spread to from the primary tumor.
Cancer cells may appear first in the sentinel node
before spreading to other lymph nodes.
|
Procedure in which a dye
or radioactive substance is injected near the tumor and
flows into the sentinel lymph nodes(s) (the first lymph
node(s) that cancer is likely to spread to from the
primary tumor). A surgeon then looks for the dye or uses
a scanner to find the sentinel lymph node(s) and removes
it (or them) to check for the presence of tumor cells.
|
The use of dyes and
radioactive substances to identify the first lymph node
to which cancer is likely to spread from the primary
tumor. Cancer cells may appear first in the sentinel
node before spreading to other lymph nodes and other
places in the body.
|
(SEP-sis)
The presence of bacteria
in the bloodstream.
|
(SEP-tate)
An organ or structure that
is divided into compartments.
|
One treatment after the
other.
|
Selective estrogen
receptor modulator. A drug that acts like estrogen on
some tissues but blocks the effect of estrogen on other
tissues. Tamoxifen and raloxifene are SERMs.
|
(SEER-us)
Having to do with serum,
the clear liquid part of blood.
|
The clear liquid part of
the blood that remains after blood cells and clotting
proteins have been removed.
|
The main protein in blood
plasma. Low levels of serum albumin occur in people with
malnutrition, inflammation, and serious liver and kidney
disease.
|
A form of cutaneous T-cell
lymphoma, a cancerous disease that affects the skin.
|
An inactive treatment or
procedure that is intended to mimic as closely as
possible a therapy in a clinical trial. Also called
placebo therapy.
|
(BY-ahp-see)
A procedure in which the
parts of a mole that are above and just below the
surface of the skin are removed with a small blade.
There is no need for stitches with this procedure.
|
A surgically created
diversion of fluid (e.g., blood or cerebrospinal fluid)
from one area of the body to another area of the body.
|
A type of sugar molecule.
|
A vaccine composed of a
substance that enhances immunity plus an antigen found
on some tumors of the colon, breast, lung, ovary,
pancreas, and stomach.
|
Problems that occur when
treatment affects healthy cells. Common side effects of
cancer treatment are fatigue, nausea, vomiting,
decreased blood cell counts, hair loss, and mouth sores.
|
(sig-MOY-da-skope)
A thin, lighted tube used
to view the inside of the colon.
|
(sig-moid-OSS-ko-pee)
Inspection of the lower
colon using a thin, lighted tube called a sigmoidoscope.
Samples of tissue or cells may be collected for
examination under a microscope. Also called
proctosigmoidoscopy.
|
A highly malignant type of
cancer typically found in glandular cells that line the
digestive organs. The cells resemble signet rings when
examined under a microscope.
|
Squamous intraepithelial
lesion. A general term for the abnormal growth of
squamous cells on the surface of the cervix. The changes
in the cells are described as low grade or high grade,
depending on how much of the cervix is affected and how
abnormal the cells appear.
|
A synthetic gel that is
used as an outer coating on breast implants and as the
inside filling of some implants.
|
Removal of the breast.
Also called total mastectomy.
|
In cancer treatment, a
process used to plan radiation therapy so that the
target area is precisely located and marked.
|
A type of clinical trial
in which only the doctor knows whether a patient is
taking the standard treatment or the new treatment being
tested. This helps prevent bias in treatment studies.
|
A drug used to help
prevent rejection of organ and bone marrow transplants
by the body.
|
Having to do with the
skeleton (boney part of the body).
|
The framework that
supports the soft tissues of vertebrate animals and
protects many of their internal organs. The skeletons of
vertebrates are made of bone and/or cartilage.
|
Skin that is moved from
one part of the body to another.
|
A bandage-like patch that
releases medicine into the body through the skin. The
medicine enters the blood slowly and steadily.
|
The process of applying
pressure, friction, temperature change, or chemical
substances to the skin to lessen or block a feeling of
pain.
|
A test for an immune
response to a compound by placing it on or under the
skin.
|
A type of lung cancer in
which the cells appear small and round when viewed under
the microscope. Also called oat cell lung cancer.
|
The part of the digestive
tract that is located between the stomach and the large
intestine.
|
Disease in which the bone
marrow does not function normally. Also called
preleukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome.
|
A substance that is being
studied as a treatment for cancer. It belongs to the
family of drugs called somatostatin analogs.
|
An anticancer drug that is
also used in cancer prevention. It belongs to the family
of drugs called photosensitizing agents. Also called tin
ethyl etiopurpurin.
|
A drug used in the
treatment of chronic pain. Also called ziconotide.
|
A professional trained to
talk with people and their families about emotional or
physical needs, and find them support services.
|
A mineral needed by the
body to keep body fluids in balance. Sodium is found in
table salt and in many processed foods. Too much sodium
can cause the body to retain water.
|
A drug that belongs to the
family of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs. Sodium salicylate may be tolerated by people who
are sensitive to aspirin.
|
A chemical used in
photography, paper making, water treatment, and for
other purposes.
|
A diet consisting of bland
foods that are softened by cooking, mashing, pureeing,
or blending.
|
Refers to muscle, fat,
fibrous tissue, blood vessels, or other supporting
tissue of the body.
|
(TISH-oo sar-KO-ma)
A sarcoma that begins in
the muscle, fat, fibrous tissue, blood vessels, or other
supporting tissue of the body.
|
A precancerous condition
of thick, scaly patches of skin. Also called actinic or
senile keratosis.
|
Cancer of body tissues
other than blood, bone marrow, or the lymphatic system.
|
All the body cells except
the reproductive (germ) cells.
|
Alterations in DNA that
occur after conception. Somatic mutations can occur in
any of the cells of the body except the germ cells
(sperm and egg) and therefore are not passed on to
children. These alterations can (but do not always)
cause cancer or other diseases.
|
(SOM-no-lens)
Periods of drowsiness,
lethargy, loss of appetite, and irritability in children
following radiation therapy treatments to the head.
|
(SON-o-gram)
A computer picture of
areas inside the body created when sound waves bounce
off organs and other tissues. Also called ultrasonogram
or ultrasound.
|
Immune cells such as T and
B lymphocytes that respond to a single, specific
antigen.
|
(SPEK-yoo-lum)
An instrument used to
widen an opening of the body to make it easier to look
inside.
|
(pa-THOL-o-jist)
A specialist who evaluates
and treats people with communication and swallowing
problems. Also called a speech therapist.
|
A specialist who evaluates
and treats people with communication and swallowing
problems. Also called a speech pathologist.
|
Freezing sperm for use in
the future. This procedure can allow men to father
children after loss of fertility.
|
The doctor removes sperm
from a man's testis or epididymis using a fine needle or
another instrument.
|
Sun protection factor. A
scale for rating the level of sunburn protection in
sunscreen products. The higher the SPF, the more sunburn
protection it provides. Sunscreens with an SPF value of
2 through 11 provide minimal protection against
sunburns. Sunscreens with an SPF of 12 through 29
provide moderate protection, which is adequate for most
people. Those with an SPF of 30 or higher provide high
protection against sunburn and are sometimes recommended
for people who are highly sensitive to the sun.
|
(SPIK-you-lay-ted...)
A lump of tissue with
spikes or points on the surface.
|
A procedure in which a
needle is put into the lower part of the spinal column
to collect cerebrospinal fluid or to give anticancer
drugs intrathecally. Also called a lumbar puncture.
|
Cancer that arises in
cells that appear spindle-shaped when viewed under a
microscope. These cancers can occur in various places in
the body, including the skin, lungs, kidney, breast,
gastrointestinal tract, bone, and muscle.
|
A type of connective
tissue cancer in which the cells are spindle-shaped when
examined under a microscope.
|
A detailed picture of
areas inside the body. The pictures are created by a
computer linked to an x-ray machine that scans the body
in a spiral path. Also called helical computed
tomography.
|
An organ that is part of
the lymphatic system. The spleen produces lymphocytes,
filters the blood, stores blood cells, and destroys old
blood cells. It is located on the left side of the
abdomen near the stomach.
|
(splen-EK-toe-mee)
An operation to remove the
spleen.
|
Mucus coughed up from the
lungs.
|
A drug that belongs to the
family of drugs called angiogenesis inhibitors. It
prevents the growth of new blood vessels into a solid
tumor.
|
(SKWAY-mus. .
.kar-sin-O-ma)
Cancer that begins in
squamous cells, which are thin, flat cells resembling
fish scales. Squamous cells are found in the tissue that
forms the surface of the skin, the lining of the hollow
organs of the body, and the passages of the respiratory
and digestive tracts. Also called epidermoid carcinoma.
|
(SKWAY-mus)
Flat cells that look like
fish scales under a microscope. These cells cover
internal and external surfaces of the body.
|
(SKWAY-mus
in-tra-eh-pih-THEEL-ee-ul LEE-zhun)
SIL. A general term for
the abnormal growth of squamous cells on the surface of
the cervix. The changes in the cells are described as
low grade or high grade, depending on how much of the
cervix is affected and how abnormal the cells appear.
|
A drug that may protect
healthy tissue from the toxic effects of anticancer
drugs.
|
An anticancer drug that
belongs to the family of drugs called bisphosphonates.
It affects cancer cell receptors governing cell growth
and cell death.
|
An anticancer drug that
inhibits a hormone growth factor responsible for
stimulating some cancer cells to multiply.
|
Hypericum perforatum, an
herbal product sold as an over-the-counter treatment for
depression. It is being studied for its ability to
lessen certain side effects of cancer treatment.
|
Cancer that is neither
decreasing nor increasing in extent or severity.
|
The extent of a cancer
within the body, especially whether the disease has
spread from the original site to other parts of the
body.
|
Too many lymphocytes are
in the blood but there are usually no other symptoms of
leukemia.
|
Cancer that is smaller
than 5 centimeters (smaller than 2 inches) and has not
spread into tissues around the adrenal gland.
|
Cancer that has spread
beyond the top layer of anal tissue and is smaller than
2 centimeters (smaller than 1 inch).
|
Cancer that has spread
into the inner lining of the bladder but not to the
muscular wall of the bladder.
|
Cancer no bigger than 2
centimeters (about 1 inch) that has not spread outside
the breast.
|
Cancer that involves the
cervix but has not spread to nearby tissues. In stage IA
cancer of the cervix, a very small amount of cancer that
is only visible under a microscope is found deeper in
the tissues of the cervix. In stage IB cancer, a larger
amount of cancer is found in the tissues of the cervix.
|
Cancer that is found in
the lining of the esophagus but has not spread to nearby
tissues, lymph nodes, or other organs.
|
Cancer found in only the
main part of the uterus, not the cervix.
|
Cancer found in the vulva
only or the space between the opening of the rectum and
the vagina (perineum). The tumor is 2 centimeters (about
1 inch) or smaller.
|
The blood has too many
lymphocytes, and lymph nodes are swollen.
|
Tumor cells that are found
in deeper layers of tissue lining the colon/rectum but
have not spread to nearby lymph nodes. Also called Dukes
A colorectal cancer.
|
May be either of the
following: (1) stage IA cancer affecting less than 10%
of the skin's surface and appearing as red, dry, scaly
patches; (2) stage IB cancer affecting 10% or more of
the skin's surface and appearing as red, dry, scaly
patches.
|
Cancer found in only the
main part of the uterus, not the cervix.
|
Cancer found in only one
lymph node area or one area or organ outside the lymph
nodes.
|
Tumor that is confined to
one area of the hypopharynx and is no larger than 2
centimeters (about 0.75 inch).
|
A tumor that is 7
centimeters (2.75 inches) or smaller.
|
Cancer that is only in the
area where it started and has not spread to nearby lymph
nodes or other parts of the body. The exact definition
of stage I depends on whether the cancer started in the
supraglottis (cancer in only one area of the
supraglottis, and the vocal cords can move normally);
the glottis (cancer in only the vocal cords, and the
vocal cords can move normally); or the subglottis
(cancer that has not spread outside the subglottis).
|
Cancer that is no larger
than 2 centimeters (about 1 inch) and has not spread to
nearby lymph nodes.
|
Cancer found in the outer
layer of the skin (epidermis), the upper part of the
inner layer of skin (dermis), or both but not in nearby
lymph nodes. The tumor is no thicker than 1.5
millimeters (about 1/16 of an inch).
|
Cancer found in the lining
of the chest cavity near the lung and heart, in the
diaphragm (the thin muscle below the lungs and heart
that separates the chest from the abdomen), or in the
lung.
|
Relatively few cancer
cells have spread throughout the body. There may be no
symptoms of disease.
|
Cancer confined to the
nasopharynx.
|
Cancer found in only one
lymph node area or one area or organ outside the lymph
nodes.
|
Cancer in the lung only
and not in tissue around the lung.
|
Cancer that is no larger
than 2 centimeters (about 0.75 inch) and is confined to
the oropharynx.
|
Cancer that is found in
one or both of the ovaries and has not spread.
|
Cancer that is found only
in the pancreas itself or has started to spread to the
tissues next to the pancreas (such as the small
intestine, the stomach, or the bile duct).
|
Cancer that is only in the
prostate gland, cannot be felt during a digital rectal
examination, is not visible by imaging, and causes no
symptoms. It is usually found accidentally or because a
blood test showed an elevated prostate-specific antigen
(PSA) level. Cancer cells may be found in only one area
of the prostate, or they may be found in many areas of
the prostate. Similar to stage A in the Whitmore-Jewett
staging system.
|
Cancer that is in the
second or third layers of the stomach wall and has not
spread to lymph nodes near the cancer, or is in the
second layer of the stomach wall and has spread to lymph
nodes very close to the tumor.
|
Cancer that is found in
the testicle only or has spread into the scrotum.
|
Cancer that is found in
the kidney only and can be completely removed by
surgery.
|
Cancer in which the cells
look very much like normal cells. The cancer is smaller
than 5 centimeters (about 2 inches) and has not spread
to lymph nodes or other parts of the body.
|
Cancer in which the cells
look somewhat different from normal cells. The cancer is
larger than 5 centimeters (about 2 inches) and has not
spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body.
|
Cancer that is larger than
5 centimeters (about 2 inches) and has not spread into
tissues around the adrenal gland.
|
Cancer has spread beyond
the top layer of anal tissue and is larger than 2
centimeters (about 1 inch), but it has not spread to
nearby organs or lymph nodes.
|
Cancer cells have spread
to the muscular wall of the bladder.
|
Stage II breast cancer
means one of the following: cancer is no larger than 2
centimeters but has spread to the lymph nodes in the
armpit (the axillary lymph nodes); cancer is between 2
and 5 centimeters (from 1 to 2 inches) and may have
spread to the lymph nodes in the armpit; cancer is
larger than 5 centimeters (larger than 2 inches) but has
not spread to the lymph nodes in the armpit.
|
Cancer has spread to
nearby areas but is still inside the pelvis. In stage
IIA cancer of the cervix, cancer has spread beyond the
cervix to the upper two thirds of the vagina; in stage
IIB, cancer has spread to the tissue around the cervix.
|
Cancer may be found in all
layers of esophageal tissue, and may have spread to
regional lymph nodes, but has not spread to other
tissues.
|
Cancer cells have spread
to the cervix.
|
Cancer is found in the
vulva, the space between the opening of the rectum and
the vagina (perineum), or both, and the tumor is larger
than 2 centimeters (larger than 1 inch).
|
