Cancer in situ: Very early cancer that Edema: Swelling of a part of the body
has not spread to nearby tissue. due to fl uid retention.
Carcinoma: Several kinds of cancerous Electrolytes: Chemicals in the body,
growths that come from epithelial cells.
These are the cells that line organs and
make up the skin. See also melanoma. such as potassium and sodium, which
help keep fl uids in balance and organs
working properly.
CAT scan: A test that uses computers Endometrial carcinoma: Cancer that
and X-rays to create cross-sectional
pictures of the body’s organs. Also called
a CT scan. starts in the lining of the uterus.
Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS): A
procedure done by a gastrointestinal
doctor using a long, fl exible, lighted
tube that is inserted into the mouth or
rectum to visualize a different part of the
digestive system such as the pancreas.
Cervical carcinoma: Cancer that starts
in the cells that line the cervix.
Cervical nodes: Glands in the neck and
under the jaw that help defend against
infection.
Endoscopy: A procedure in which a
thin, fl exible, lighted tube is inserted
through the mouth into the esophagus
(food pipe) so that a doctor can see
inside the esophagus and stomach.
Chemotherapy: Treatment that uses
drugs to destroy fast-growing cancer
cells.
Chronic: Lasting a long time.
Colonoscopy: A test done by inserting
Excision: The removal of something
(tissue, organ) by cutting.
a thin, fl exible, lighted tube through
the rectum into the colon that allows a
doctor to look for abnormal growths or
polyps inside the entire length of the
colon.
Fine-needle aspiration: A test in
which a small needle is inserted and a
sample of tissue or fl uid is removed. The
sample is looked at under a microscope
to see if cancer cells are present. Also
called needle biopsy.
Combination chemotherapy: Giving
several chemotherapy drugs at the same
time to increase the number of cancer
cells destroyed.
Frozen section: A procedure in which
a sample of tissue is frozen after being
removed from the body, placed under
a microscope, and examined for cancer
cells.
Complementary therapy: Treatments
that go along with the standard medical
treatment of cancer. Examples include
massage, visualization, and yoga.
Genes: The material that passes on traits
and characteristics from parents to their
children.
Cyst: A sac with liquid or gel-like
material inside.
Hematocrit (HcT): The number of red
Distress: Feeling you are having trouble
blood cells in the blood. Low hematocrit
can be a sign of anemia.
managing physical and/or emotional
demands.
Hematologist: A doctor who treats
Drug resistance: When cancer cells
problems and diseases of the blood and
bone marrow.
adapt so that the drug being used stops
working.
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