K
- Kidneys:
- The organ that filters the blood and excretes waste products and excess water in the form of urine.
L
- Lacrimal duct:
- A tube that carries tears from where they are made to the surface of the eye.
- Lacrimal gland:
- A gland, also called the tear gland, about the size and shape of an almond. It produces tears to moisten and lubricate the eye.
- Lacrimal sac:
- The dilated upper end of the lacrimal duct.
- Lacrimation:
- Production of tears.
- Laparoscopy:
- A surgical procedure to examine the organs in the abdomen with a lighted tubular instrument that is passed through a small incision in the abdominal wall. It is usually performed under general anesthesia.
- Laparotomy:
- A surgical procedure where the abdominal cavity is opened either to examine it or to remove or repair tissue.
- Large intestine:
- The colon or large bowel. The part of the gastrointestinal system that goes from the end of the small intestine to the rectum.
- Laryngectomy:
- The surgical removal of the larynx or voice box. This results in the loss of the ability to speak normally.
- Laryngoscope:
- A thin, lighted tube used to examine the larynx or voice box.
- Laryngoscopy:
- Examination of the larynx. With the aid of a mirror it is called an indirect laryngoscopy. Using the laryngoscope, a flexible lighted tube, it is called direct laryngoscopy.
- Larynx:
- The organ that plays a major role in the production of sound and speech. It is also called the voice box. It has three parts: the glottis is the middle part where the vocal cords are located, the tissue above the glottis is called the supraglottis, the supbglottis is the tissue below the glottis.
- Laser therapy:
- A device that uses narrow, high energy light beams in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
- Leiomyoma:
- Also called fibroid. A benign, non-cancerous tumor that develops in smooth muscle tissue such as the uterus.
- Lesion:
- A lump, sore or abscess that may be caused by injury or disease, such as cancer.
- Leukemia:
- Cancer of the blood forming organs. White blood cells may be produced in excessive amounts and are unable to function properly. Different types of leukemia include chronic or acute lymphocytic, granulocytic and myeloblastic leukemia.
- Leukocyte:
- Another name for white blood cells. A leukocyte is a type of cell in the blood which helps defend the body against diseases caused by bacteria, virus, or parasites. There are three types of leukocytes: monocytes, granulocytes and lymphocytes.
- Leukocytosis:
- An increase in the total white blood cell count.
- Leukopenia:
- A low number of white blood cells or a decrease in the total white blood cell count.
- Leukopheresis:
- Blood is taken from a vein and the leukocytes are removed. The remaining blood cells are returned to the patient. Leukopheresis is used to treat patients with leukemia with elevated white blood cell counts.
- Leukoplakia:
- White thickened patches on the mucus membranes of the mouth, lips and gums. It may be caused by injury or excessive use of tobacco, alcohol and spicy food condiments. It can be precancerous.
- Libido:
- Interest in sexual activity.
- Limb perfusion:
- A procedure where chemotherapy is delivered directly to an arm or leg. The blood flow to the limb is temporarily stopped with a tourniquet, and the drugs are put directly into the blood of the limb. This technique allows the patient to receive high doses of drugs in the area where the cancer occurred.
- Liver:
- An organ located in the upper abdomen that cleanses the blood and secretes bile to aid in digestion.
- Lobe:
- A division or part of an organ or gland. The brain, breast, liver and lungs have lobes.
- Lobectomy:
- Surgical removal of an entire lobe, such as a lobe of the lung.
- Lobular carcinoma in situ:
- A type of breast cancer that begins in the lobes or milk-producing glands and has not grown through the walls of the lobe.
- Local skin flap:
- A skin flap's composed of skin and subcutaneous tissue that is transferred from a donor site to a directly adjacent recipient site.
- Local treatment:
- Treatment of the tumor and the area close to it.
- Lumpectomy:
- Removal of a lump and the tissue surrounding it in the breast.
- Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH):
- A hormone that controls the production of sex hormones in men and women.
- Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist:
- A substance very similar to LHRH, but keeps the testicles from producing hormones in men.
- Lymph:
- A clear fluid that contains white blood cells including lymphocytes and circulates through the body in the lymphatic system.
- Lymph nodes:
- Also called lymph glands. A small gland that produces lymph. They are the body is defense against infections and cancer.
- Lymphadenectomy:
- A surgical procedure to selectively or totally remove lymph nodes in the axilla, pelvis, and/or groin. It is done to determine the spread of the cancer.
- Lymphangiograpy:
- An X-ray examination for enlarged lymph nodes.
- Lymphedema:
- A term used to describe swelling of a limb such as an arm or leg. This can be caused by surgical removal of lymph nodes or obstruction or damage to lymph nodes.
- Lymphocyte:
- A type of white blood cell. The three main kinds of lymphocytes are T cells, B cells, and Natural Killer cells. T cells attack and destroy virus-infected cells, foreign tissue and cancer cells; B cells help produce antibodies or proteins that help destroy foreign substances; Natural Killer cells destroy cancer cells and virus-infected cells.
- Lymphoid tissue:
- Tissue in which the lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, develop. Lymphoid tissue is part of the immune system.
- Lymphoma:
- A type of cancer, which develops in the lymphatic system, affecting the body's immune system.