Ablative Procedures

Removal of hormone sources that influence the development of cancer. Example, ovariectomy for cancer of the breast.

Adenocarcinoma

A carcinoma arising in glandular tissue.

Adjuvant Chemotherapy

A combination of surgery and chemotherapy anticancer drugs injected directly into surgical sites or administered intravenously.

Cancer in Situ

(intraepithelial or preinvasive carcinoma) A term applied to a lesion which is confined to the mucosal surface and the cells have not invaded or metastasized.

Carcinogens

Cancer producing or inciting substances.

Cesium-137

An isotope of the metallic element cesium which is radioactive and used in cancer therapy.

Chemotherapy

A method of employing certain chemical compounds in the management of malignant lesions and/or their metastases.

Cobalt-60

An isotope of the metallic element cobalt which is radioactive and used in cancer therapy.

Cordotomy

Surgical division of the anterolateral tracts of the spinal cord for relief of intractable pain.

Corticosteriod Hormones

Hormones secreted by the adrenal glands; essential to the maintenance of life.

Curie

A unit of measure denoting the rate of radioactive decay. (3.70x10" disintegrations per/sec.)

Cytology

The scientific study of cells, the origin, structure, and function.

DNA

Desoxyribonucleic acid-one of the nucleic acids of the cell which is of particular interest to the cancer investigator because of the possibility that it is involved in the chemotherapy of cancer, and also in the process that converts normal cells into malignant ones.

Etiology

The study or theory of the causation of disease.

Exenteration (Pelvic)

Excision of the contents of the pelvis.

Exfoliative Cells

Cells which have been shed from external or internal surfaces of the body.

Folic Acid Anatagonists

Chemical compounds designed to destroy cancer cells by interfering with vital life processes.

Hematopoietic

Pertaining to the formation of blood cells.

Hydatidiform Mole: A mole formed by the proliferation of the chorionic villi, resulting in a mass of cysts that resembles a bunch of grapes. Hyperplasia

Abnormal multiplication or increase in the number of normal cells.

Hypophysectomy

Removal of the pituitary gland by surgery or by use of radiation.

Ionizing Radiation

Radiation possessing sufficient energy to separate atoms or molecules into ions.

Iridium-192

An isotope of the metallic element iridium which is radioactive and used in cancer therapy.

Irradiation

The application of X-ray, radium, or other radiation for therapeutic purposes.

Isotopes

Varying forms of the same chemical element; the neutrons in the nucleus vary in number, while the number of protons remains the same.

Kilovolts

1,000 volts.

Millicurie

A thousandth of a curie (37,000,000 disintegrations/sec.)

Multiple Myeloma

Primary malignant tumor of the bone marrow.

Myeleran

A chemical compound used in cancer chemotherapy.

6-MP (6-Mercaptopurine)

A chemical compound used in cancer chemo-theropy.

Neoplasm

Any new or abnormal growth, such as a tumor.

Nitrogen Mustard

A chemical compound similar in composition to mustard gas but with nitrogen replacing sulfur; used in cancer chemotherapy.

Nucleic Acids

Chemicals composing the nucleus of the cell.

Obturator

A disk or plate (natural or artificial) which closes an opening; example, a dental plate used to fill in a defect in the roof of the mouth; a metal object used to close an opening in a tube; example, an obturator of a tracheostomy tube.

Osteoporosis

An enlargement of the spaces of bone resulting in a porous appearance.

Papanicolaou Smear

A method of collecting and staining cells developed by Dr. George Papanicolaou and used in the detection of cancer. (Most commonly used in screening for cancer of the cervix.)

Paresthesia

Abnormal skin sensations as burning, prickling, crawling.

Pedicle

The stem of a tumor or skin flap.

Purine Antagonists

(See Folic Acid Antagonists.)

Radioisotope

Isotopes, naturally occurring or artificially produced forms of elements which are unstable and emit radioactivity. (See Isotope.)

Remission

Diminution or abatement of the symptoms of disease.

Rhizotomy

Interruption of the roots of the spinal nerves within the spinal canal. Done for relief of intractable pain.

Stoma

Any opening in a free surface; example, an intestinal opening on the abdominal wall or an opening in the neck of a patient with a laryngectomy.

Supervoltage

An intense source of electrical force utilized in the form of

Teletherapy

Radiation treatment administered by a radioactive isotope housed in a machine similar to a large X-ray unit. (Cobalt-60, Cesium-137, Iridium-192)

Tem

Triethylenemelamine-one of the chemical compounds used in the chemotherapy of cancer.

Tepa

Triethylenephosphoramide-a chemical compound used in cancer chemotherapy.

Tubeless Gastric Analysis

A screening test for achlorhydria to select those who should have gastrointestinal X-ray studies.

Urethane

A chemical compound used in the treatment of multiple myeloma and myelogenous leukemia and other neoplastic conditions.

Wertheim Operation

A radical hysterectomy; uterus is removed with a wide margin of the vagina and as much of the parametrial tissue as possible.