Placebo: A substance that contains no Squamous cell carcinoma: Cancer
active ingredients and is sometimes used
in a clinical trial as a comparison to a
substance doctors are studying. Also
called a sugar pill. that starts in the squamous layer of the
skin or in organs that are covered with
squamous cells. The lungs, head, neck,
prostate, and uterus have squamous
cells.
Polyp: A bulge in the mucous
membrane that has grown out of shape.
Polyps can be found in the bowel,
bladder, throat, and nose. Staging: A system doctors use to
Primary tumor: The place where a Stomatitis: Soreness and swelling of
cancer starts. Prognosis: A prediction of how a the mouth caused by treatment. It goes
away once treatment ends.
disease will progress over time. TNM: A system used to describe a
Prophylactic medication: Medication cancer. T stands for tumor, N stands
for node, and M stands for metastasis.
This determines the stage of the cancer
and guides doctors in choosing the best
treatment.
determine how far in the body cancer
has spread.
used to prevent or guard against a side
effect of cancer treatment or of disease.
Prosthesis: A man-made replacement
for a missing body part, such as a breast,
arm, or leg.
Tumor: A group of cells that grow
uncontrolled. It can be benign or
malignant.
Protocol: Treatment plan.
Radiation oncologist: A doctor who
Tumor markers: Substances made by
specializes in radiation therapy.
treatment that uses strong X-rays to
damage or kill cancer cells. some cancer cells. They can build up in
the blood or urine of people with cancer.
Blood tests that can be done to detect
marker levels include PSA and CA-125.
Radiologist: A doctor who specializes Ultrasound examination: A test that
Radiation therapy: A form of cancer
uses sound waves to create images of
organs and other body parts.
in reading X-rays and scans.
Recurrence: When cancer comes back.
Regression: Shrinkage of a cancerous
Wide excision: The process of cutting
away a wide area around a tumor or
diseased tissue and leaving healthy,
disease-free tissue.
growth.
Relapse: Return of a cancer that has
been treated and has become detectable
in follow-up scans and tests.
Remission: When there has been no
sign of cancer on follow-up tests and
scans over a specifi c period of time.
Renal: Relating to the kidney.
Sarcoma: Cancer of the bone, cartilage,
or muscle.
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