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Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS): A viral disease that destroys the body's ability to fight infections, leaving the body susceptible to many diseases. (The only thing on earth that can make you feel lucky to have cancer.)
Acute: A sudden onset of symptoms or disease.
Adenocarcinoma: A malignant tumor arising from glandular tissue.
Adenoma: A benign tumor made up of glandular tissue. For example, an adenoma of the pituitary gland may cause it to produce abnormal amounts of hormones.
Adrenal glands: Two small organs near the kidneys that release hormones.
A.F.P.: (Alpha feta protein) A tumor marker.
Alopecia: The loss of hair, which may include all body hair besides scalp hair. We're not talkin' Telly Savalas bald. We're talkin' salamander bald. You will no longer qualify as a mammal.
Analgesic: Any drug that relieves pain. Aspirin and acetaminophen are mild analgesics.
Anemia: A condition in which a decreased number of red blood cells may cause symptoms including tiredness, shortness of breath, and weakness.
Anorexia: The loss of appetite.
Antibody: A substance formed by the body to help defend it against infection.
Antiemetic: A drug that prevents or controls nausea and vomiting.
Antifungal: A drug used to treat fungal infections.
Antigen: Any substance that causes the body to produce natural antibodies.
Antineoplastic agent: A drug that prevents, kills, or blocks the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Arrhythmia: An irregular heartbeat.
Aspiration: The process of removing fluid/tissue from a specific area.
Autoimmunity: A condition in which the body's immune system mistakenly fights and rejects body's own tissues.
Axilla: The armpit.
Axillary nodes: Lymph nodes - also called lymph glands - found in the armpit (axilla). (Not to be confused with Axle Rose, lead singer for the head-banging heavy metal band Guns and Roses.)
Barium enema: The use of a milky solution (barium sulfate) given by an enema to allow x-ray examination of the lower intestinal tract.
Barium swallow: The use of a milky solution (barium sulfate) given orally to allow x-ray examination of the upper intestinal tract.
BeeGees: 1970s disco group. A muzac version of their 1975 hit "Stayin' Alive" is often piped into hospital elevators, waiting rooms, and CT Scan labs to test the mental endurance of cancer patients.
Benign: A swelling or growth that is not cancerous, and does not spread from one part of the body to another.
(B-HCG): Beta Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
Big Honkin' Drag: Being told you have cancer.
Biopsy: The surgical removal of tissue for microscopic examination for diagnosis.
Blood cells: Minute structures made in the bone marrow; consist of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Blood Count: The number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in a sample of blood.
Bone Marrow: The spongy material found inside the bones. Most blood cells are made in the bone marrow.
Bone marrow biopsy and aspiration: The procedure by which a needle is inserted into a bone to withdraw a sample of the bone marrow.
Bone marrow suppression: A decrease in the production number of blood cells.
Bone marrow transplant.- The addition of bone marrow into a patient or who has been treated with high dose chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Patients may use their own marrow which has been frozen in some cases.
Allogeneic BMT The infusion of bone marrow from one individual (donor) to another.
Autologous BMT The infusion of a patient's own bone marrow previously taken and stored.
Syngeneic BMT The infusion of bone marrow from one identical twin into another.
Bone scan: A picture of the bones using a radioactive dye that shows any injury, disease, or healing. This is a valuable test to determine if cancer has spread to the bone, if anticancer therapy is successful, and if affected bony areas are healing.
Breast seff-examination (BSE): A manual examination of the breasts.
Bronchoscopy: The insertion of a flexible, lighted tube through the mouth into the lungs to examine the lungs and airways.
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This glossary is not intended to provide medical advice. Always consult your health care provider with questions and concerns. For a more complete glossary of Cancer Terms, write:
Pharmacia, P.O. Box 16529, Columbus, OH 43216-6529
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