T
- TAHBSO:
- Total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, or the removal of the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes.
- Tamoxifen:
- A cancer drug that has anti-hormonal effects on cells. Tamoxifen blocks the effects of the hormone estrogen in the body. It is often used to treat breast cancer to prevent recurrence or spread of disease. In women at high risk, it can be used as a chemoprevention drug.
- Taste alteration:
- A change in how things taste.
- TBI:
- Total body irradiation. This type of radiation therapy is given to some patients undergoing a bone marrow transplant where another person donates the marrow.
- T cell depletion:
- Removal of T lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, from bone marrow donated by another person to prevent graft versus host disease.
- T-cell lymphoma:
- A type of cancer where cells of the lymph system (T lymphocytes) become malignant and affect the skin.
- Testes:
- Also called testicles. The two male reproductive organs suspended in a sac, called the scrotum, below the penis.
- Testicles:
- Also called testes. The two male reproductive organs suspended in a sac, called the scrotum, below the penis.
- Testicular self-examination:
- A simple manual examination of the testicles.
- Testosterone:
- A male hormone, produced mostly by the testicles.
- Thoracentesis (pleural tap):
- A procedure to remove fluid from the area between the two layers (pleura) covering the lung.
- Thoracic:
- Having to do with the chest.
- Thoracoscopic:
- A procedure that uses a lighted scope to visualize the pleural space in the lung and allows for less invasive thoracic surgical procedures.
- Thoracoscopy:
- An examination of the inside of the chest using a thin, lighted tube called an endoscope.
- Thoracotomy:
- A surgery to open the chest.
- Thrombocytes:
- Platelets or cells needed for the blood to clot.
- Thrombocytopenia:
- An abnormally low number of platelets. Too few platelets can allow bleeding to occur.
- Thrombocytosis:
- Elevated platelet count.
- Thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura or TTP:
- A disorder of severe thrombocytopenia or abnormally low platelets that can affect multiple organs in the body.
- Thyroidectomy:
- A surgical procedure to remove benign or malignant tumors of the thyroid gland.
- Tissue:
- A group or layer of cells that are alike and work together to perform a specific job in the body.
- Tissue typing:
- Examining and comparing the body tissue of a potential donor and patient before an organ transplant. This test is performed to find people with similar combinations of Human leukocyte antigens (HLA) in the body tissue.
- Tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy:
- Surgical removal of the tonsils and/or adenoids.
- Topical chemotherapy:
- The use of anticancer drugs in a cream or lotion that is applied to the skin.
- Total laryngectomy:
- A surgical procedure to remove the larynx, resulting in the loss of normal speech and a permanent tracheostomy.
- Toxicity:
- Undesirable side effects of a drug or treatment. The toxicity of drugs is carefully studied in clinical trials.
- Trachea:
- Also called the windpipe, this is the airway that connects the larynx or voice box to the lungs.
- Tracheostomy:
- A surgical procedure to create an opening in the trachea to allow breathing when the trachea is blocked.
- Transformation:
- The process in a cell as it changes from normal to malignant.
- TRUS:
- Transrectal Ultrasound, a test using sound waves to create an image of the prostate gland. It is used to detect tumors and take biopsy samples.
- Tumor:
- An abnormal mass of tissue that serves no purpose. It may be either benign or malignant.
- Tumor debulking:
- A surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible.
- Tumor lysis syndrome:
- A syndrome where cancer treatment causes massive cell death resulting in the build up of uric acid crystals and other chemicals such as sodium, and potassium in the bloodstream. This can be a life-threatening situation. It is most commonly seen in patients treated with chemotherapy for leukemia or lymphoma.
- Tumor marker:
- Chemical substances found in the body fluids, which may indicate the presence of either a benign or malignant disease. Tumor marker tests may be helpful but cannot provide a definite diagnosis of cancer. They may also be used to monitor the progress of treatment or to detect a possible recurrence after treatment.
- Tumor necrosis factor:
- A type of biological therapy that causes cancer cells to die.
- Tumor suppressor gene:
- Genes that can block or stop the growth of cancer. The P53 gene is a tumor suppressor gene.
- TURP:
- Transurethral Resection of the Prostate: A surgical procedure where an instrument is inserted through the penis to remove tissue from the prostate.
U
- Ulcerative colitis:
- A disease that causes chronic inflammation in the lining of the colon.
- Ultrasound examination:
- The use of sound waves to diagnose disease or evaluate certain conditions in the body. Also called ultrasonography.
- Unilateral:
- One side of the body.
- Unproven methods of cancer treatment:
- Untested or unproven ways of treating cancer.
- Ureterostomy:
- A surgical procedure consisting of cutting the ureters from the bladder and connecting them to an opening on the abdomen allowing urine to drain into a collection pouch.
- Ureters:
- Tubes that carry urine from each kidney to the bladder.
- Urethra:
- The tube that carries urine and/or semen in men to the outside of the body.
- Urinary tract:
- The organs through which urine passes. It includes the kidneys, the ureters, the bladder, and the urethra.
- Urine:
- A pale, yellow fluid produced by the kidneys and excreted from the body. It carries waste products and excessive water from the body.
- Urologist:
- A doctor who specializes in diseases of the urinary organs in women and the urinary and sex organs in men.
- Urostomy:
- A surgery to create an opening from inside the body to the outside, making a new way to pass urine.
- Uterus:
- The hollow, muscular organ in females where a fertilized egg can become embedded and a baby develops and grows. It is part of the female reproductive system. Also called the womb.
- Uvula:
- The small piece of fleshy tissue that hangs down in the back of the throat.
- Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UP3):
- A surgical procedure removing the tonsils, part of the soft palate (the roof of the mouth), and the uvula, (the small piece of fleshy tissue, which hangs down in the back of the throat).