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Cancer: A group of diseases in which malignant cells grow out of control and spread to other parts of the body.
Cancer in-situ: The stage where the cancer is still confined to the tissue in which it started.
Candidiasis: A common fungal infection.
Carcinogen: A substance that causes cancer. For example, nicotine in cigarettes is a carcinogen that causes lung cancer.
Carcinoma: A kind of cancer that starts in the skin or the lining of organs.
Adenocarcinoma: A malignant tumor arising from glandular tissue.
Basal cell carcinoma: The most common type of skin cancer.
Bronchogenic carcinoma: A cancer originating in the lungs or airways.
Cervical carcinoma: A cancer of the cervix (part of the uterus opening).
Endometrial carcinoma: A cancer of the lining of the uterus.
Squamous cell carcinoma: Cancer arising from the skin or the surfaces of other structures, such as the mouth, cervix, or lungs.
Cardiomegaly: An enlargement of the heart.
CT/CAT Scan: A test using computers and x-rays to create images of various parts of the body.
CEA (Carcinoembryonic antigen): A blood tumor marker.
Cellulitis: The inflammation of an area of the skin (epithelial layer).
Central venous catheter: A special intravenous tubing that is surgically inserted into a large vein near the heart and exits from the chest or abdomen. The catheter allows medications, fluids, or blood products to be given and blood samples to be taken.
Cervical nodes: Lymph nodes in the neck
Chemotherapy: The treatment of cancer with drugs.
Adjuvant chemotherapy: Chemotherapy given to kill any remaining cancer cells, usually after all detectable tumor is removed by surgery or radiotherapy.
Combination chemotherapy: The use of more than one drug during cancer treatment.
Chronic: Persisting over a long period of time.
Colonoscopy: A procedure for looking at the color or large bowel through a lighted, flexible tube.
C.S.F.: (Colony Stimulating Factor) An injectable substance used to stimulate the bone marrow to produce more cells.
Colostomy: A surgical procedure by which an opening is created between the colon and the outside of the abdomen to allow stool to be emptied into a collection bag.
Colposcopy: Examination of the vagina and cervix with an instrument called a colposcope.
Congestive heart failure: A buildup of fluid in the lungs and /or extremities (especially the legs). This occurs because the heart cannot pump the blood adequately.
Cranky: Disgruntled, easily annoyed, and not to be messed with.
CT scan (CAT scan): A test using computers and x-rays to create images of various parts of the body.
Cyst: An accumulation of fluid or semisolid material within a sac.
Cystitis: An inflammation of the bladder.
Disney World: Where you'll go when you finish chemo!
Dysphagia: Difficult swallowing.
Dyspnea: Difficult or painful breathing; shortness of breath.
Dysuria: Difficult or painful urination.
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