Cancer word list for patients: C-D

C

CA-125:

A tumor marker test that measures a substance in the blood that may indicate the presence of ovarian cancer. Tumor marker tests are helpful but cannot prove a definite diagnosis of cancer. Tumor marker tests may also be used to monitor the progress of treatment or to detect a possible recurrence after treatment.

Cachexia:

A severe protein loss in the body, leading to weight loss, weakness, fatigue, impaired wound healing, and a decreased tolerance for aggressive cancer treatments. Also known as wasting syndrome.

Calcifications:

Small calcium deposits that may occur in breast tissue. A cluster of microcalcifications may indicate a cancer.

Cancer chemotherapy:

Chemical substances used to kill cancer cells.

Cancer:

A broad term for a large group (more than 100) of diseases where there is uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal, malignant cells.

Cancer information service (CIS):

A free service where information specialists answer questions about cancer and provide free educational materials. The Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center has a nationwide CIS that can be reached at 1-800-237-1225.

Cancer of unknown primary:

Cancer cells have been found in the body but doctors cannot determine where the cancer originally started growing.

Cancerous:

Containing cancer cells.

Carcinoid:

A tumor, usually found in the gastrointestinal tract, that is usually slow growing and may secrete hormones.

Carcinoma:

A kind of cancer that develops in epithelial tissue (skin or lining of an organ).

Carcinoma in situ:

A cancer in the stage of development when the cancer cells are still confined to their site of origin.

Carcinogen:

A cancer-causing substance.

Carcinogenesis:

The process where normal cells turn into cancer cells.

Castration:

Using either surgery or medicine to lower the level of testosterone, a male hormone.

CAT scan (CT or computed tomography scans):

This test combines X-ray and computer technologies to produce highly detailed cross sectional tissue views, particularly of soft tissue.

Catheter:

A flexible tube used to administer or withdraw fluids. An example is a bladder catheter to remove urine. During a course of chemotherapy, an indwelling catheter can be placed in a vein to administer intravenous fluids and chemotherapy. Catheters can stay in place for several weeks or months with proper care.

Cauterization:

Cauterization uses heat to destroy abnormal cells or stop bleeding. It may be used to treat dysplasia, or abnormal cells that might become cancerous. To perform this procedure, a probe which has a high-frequency electric current at the tip, is touched to the abnormal area. The heat kills only the surface cells.

CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen):

A tumor marker found in the blood that may indicate the presence of certain types of cancer cells. Tumor marker substances may be produced by the tumor itself or by the body in response to a cancer.

Cell:

The individual unit that makes up all of the tissues of the body.

Cell motility:

The ability of a cell to move.

Cell proliferation:

An increase in the number of cells as a result of cell growth and division.

Central nervous system (CNS):

The brain, spinal cord, and cerebrospinal fluid

Cerebellum:

The part of the brain in the back of the head between the cerebrum and the brain stem. The cerebellum controls balance for walking and standing and other motor functions

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF):

The fluid around the brain and spinal cord.

Cerebrum:

The cerebrum is part of the brain and is divided into two halves called cerebral hemispheres. The cerebrum controls muscle function, as well as speech, emotions, reading, writing, and learning.

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN):

Dysplasia or abnormal cells of the cervix.

Cervical nodes:

Lymph nodes in the neck.

Cervix:

The lower part of the uterus that connects with the vagina in women.

Chemoembolization:

A treatment where the blood supply of the tumor is blocked and chemotherapy drugs are delivered directly into the tumor through a catheter.

Chemoprevention:

The use of drugs in an attempt to prevent disease.

Chemotherapy:

A treatment using medicines.

Chest wall:

The muscles, bones and joints that make up the area between the neck and abdomen.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL):

CLL is one of the four basic types of leukemia. CLL is a disorder where too many lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, are produced.

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML):

CML is one of the four basic types of leukemia. CML is a disorder where too many granulocytes or myeloid cells, a type of white blood cell, are produced.

Clinical trial:

A study that uses new treatments to care for patients. During clinical trials, more information is collected about new treatments, their risks, and how well they do or do not work. If clinical trials show that the new treatment is better than the treatment currently being used, the new treatment may become the standard" treatment.

Colectomy:

A surgical procedure to remove all or part of the colon or large bowel. A partial colectomy removes the cancer and a small amount of healthy tissue around it.

Colon (large bowel):

The part of the gastrointestinal system that goes from the end of the small intestine to the rectum.

Colonoscope:

A thin, lighted tube used to examine the inside of the entire length of the colon.

Colonoscopy:

An examination of the entire length of the colon using a lighted, flexible tube.

Colony stimulating factors:

Naturally occurring substances in the body which stimulate the bone marrow to produce red and white blood cells and platelets. Because they stimulate the bone marrow to produce more cells, they can be used to help patients receiving chemotherapy to tolerate larger doses of chemotherapy which are more effective in treating the cancer.

Colostomy:

A surgically made opening in the large bowel that connects it to the surface of the abdomen. It is made for the elimination of stool or bowel movements or fecal material.

Colposcopy:

An examination of the cervix and vagina using an instrument called a colposcope.

Combination therapy:

This treatment uses a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy to treat cancer.

Compassionate use:

Patient use of a drug on humanitarian grounds before the drug has received official approval.

Complementary medicine:

Treatments that are used in addition to standard treatment, either with or without a doctor's knowledge. Complementary methods might include taking dietary supplements, or practices such as massage, spiritual healing and meditation.

Complication:

An unexpected, undesirable effect of a condition or treatment.

Computerized tomography scans (CAT scan or CT):

An examination using computers and X-rays to diagnose tumors or metastasis and other conditions.

Cone biopsy or cervical conization:

A biopsy of the cervix to remove a cone of tissue. It is done as a diagnostic procedure to detect or rule out cancer or neoplasms and determine the extent of the disease.

Consolidation therapy:

Chemotherapy which is given only after leukemia is in remission. An "extra shot" of medicine is given just to make sure that all leukemia is eradicated. This treatment is used with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.

Continence:

The ability to control passing of urine and bowel movements.

Control group:

In a clinical trial, the control group does not receive the new treatment being studied. The control group is compared to the treatment group to see if the new treatment is effective.

Cooperative group:

A group of health care providers that is formed in order to treat a large number of patients the same way so that new treatments can be evaluated quickly. Examples of cooperative groups include CALGB and NSABP.

Core needle biopsy:

The removal of tissue with a wide needle for examination under a microscope.

Cryosurgery:

A surgical procedure using liquid nitrogen or carbon dioxide to destroy a tumor by freezing.

Cryptorchidism:

Also called undescended testicles. A condition where one or both testicles fail to move from the abdomen, where they develop before birth, into the scrotum. About 10% of men with undescended testicles will develop testicular cancer.

Cutaneous:

Another word for skin.

Cutaneous t-cell lymphoma:

A type of lymphoma that affects the skin.

Cystectomy:

A surgery to remove part or the entire bladder.

Cystoscopy:

A procedure to visualize the urethra and bladder by introducing a lighted, flexible tube.

Cytology:

The examination of cells under a microscope looking for abnormalities.

D

Diaphragm:

The thin muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen.

DIC:

Disseminated intravascular coagulation. A process in which microscopic clotting occurs throughout the body, leaving no clotting factors available when needed. It can cause excessive bleeding and may be treated with a heparin infusion. Patients with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia, a type of AML, are particularly prone to DIC during therapy.

Differentiation:

In cancer, it refers to how mature the cancer cells are. Well-differentiated cancer cells are more like normal cells, usually less aggressive and respond better to treatment. Undifferentiated or poorly differentiated cells are not able to carry out normal cell functions.

Digestive:

The digestive tract contains the organs where food is processed and digested. It includes the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, and stomach.

Digestive tract:

The part of the body where food is processed and digested. It includes the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestines or bowels.

Digital rectal examination:

An examination in which the doctor inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to examine the rectum or prostate in males. In females, it may be a part of a pelvic examination to feel for abnormalities in the rectum or uterus.

Dilation and curettage:

A minor surgery where the cervix is expanded or dilated to permit the uterine lining and cervical canal to be scraped with an instrument called a curette.

Diplopia:

Seeing one object as two. Double vision.

Direct laryngoscopy:

Direct examination of the hypopharynx and larynx with a laryngoscope, a flexible, lighted tube which is inserted into the patient's mouth over the tongue while the neck is extended.

Disease-free survival:

The length of time a patient is cancer free after treatment.

DNA:

Deoxyribonucleic acid or a biological chemical in the cell that contains and controls the genetic information, which determines the unique characteristics of each person.

Double-blinded:

In a clinical trial, neither the medical staff nor the patient knows which of the treatments the patient is receiving.

Dry orgasm:

Sexual climax without the release of semen.

Duct:

In the breast, a tube that carries the milk from the lobule to the nipple. The ducts in the breast are a common place where breast cancer occurs.

Ductal carcinoma in situ:

Cancer that begins in the ducts of the breast, but has not grown through the duct wall into the surrounding tissue.

Duodenum:

The first part of the small intestine.

Dyslexia:

Problems with the ability to comprehend written language.

Dysphagia:

Difficult or painful swallowing.

Dysplasia:

Abnormal cells that might become cancerous if not treated.

Dyspnea:

Difficulty or pain with breathing; shortness of breath.

Dysuria:

Difficult or painful urination.