Do I Have Cancer

  LET'S LEARN THE CANCER LANGUAGE FIRST There are over 100 different types of cancer. each form of willcer can have different symptoms, diagnostic tests and treatment choices.

As a result, there are many terminologies and phrases that are used to describe the kind, symptoms and diagnosis of cancer, and treatment ways. it's usually very confusing furthermore as frustrating for the readers if too many medical jargons or terminologies are used in describing this condition.
it's troublesome for readers to grasp the context of the topic or take any action, if needed, once reading any article or book on cancers.

As a result, the data is usually misinterpreted or not fully understood or comprehended.In this third article of my cancer series, i'd wish to justify in very straightforward terms all phrases and terminologies used in describing a cancer. this will help readers in understanding the cancer terms, kinds of cancer, common diagnosis and treatment terminologies, and also the health personnel concerned in management of cancer.

These are described in alphabetical order here.Ablation: removal or destruction of body half or tissue. Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) therapy involves destroying cancer tissue with heat. RFA is usually used in the treatment of lung, liver and kidney tumors.

Adenocarcinoma: cancer that begins from lining of internal organs or from skinAdenoma: a non-cancer tumor that starts from glandsAdenopathy: swollen glandsAdjunct or adjunctive therapy: another treatment used at the side of primary treatment. for example, radiotherapy is usually given once surgery to treat cancer as adjunctive treatment.Anal: of anus, anal cancerAnorexia: an abnormal loss of appetite for food.Asbestos: a gaggle of minerals that are found in the kind of small fibres. it's used as insulation against heat and hearth in buildings.

Asbestos dirt when breathed into the lungs will result in cancer of lungs and mesothelioma.Asthenia: feeling or weakness or lack of energy. this is often common in late stage cancer.Astrocyte: this is often a sort of cell in the brain or spinal wire. Astrocytoma may be a tumor that begins in astrocytes.Asymptomatic: having no signs or symptoms of disease.

Most cancers are asymptomatic in the early stages.Axillary lymph node dissection: removal of lymph nodes in the axilla. this could be drained the treatment of breast cancer.B-cell lymphoma: a sort of cancer that forms in B cells.Barrett esophagus: this is often a condition where the cells lining the lower part of the esophagus have modified or been replaced by abnormal cells that could result in cancer of the esophagus. The regurgitation of the contents of abdomen into the esophagus over time will result in Barrett esophagus.

Basal cells: they're small round cells found in the lower part of epidermis. The cancer that begins in the basal cells is termed basal cell cancer or basal cell carcinoma.Benign: not cancerous, also known as non-malignant. Malignant tumor may be a cancerous growth.For example, fibroadenoma may be a benign tumor of breast whereas as adenocarcinoma may be a malignant tumor of the breast.Benign prostatic hyperplasia: this is often a non-cancerous condition of prostate where there is overgrowth of prostate tissue.

Biological therapy: this is often a sort of treatment that uses substances made of living organisms or its merchandise to boost or restore the power of the immune system to fight cancer. examples of biological agents include vaccines, interleukins and monoclonal antibodies.Biopsy: the removal of cells or tissues from the cancer or suspected cancer space for examination by a pathologist. this is often the most positive manner of diagnosing cancer.

Bone marrow ablation: this is often a procedure that's used to destroy bone marrow using radiation or high doses of anticancer drugs. it's done before a bone marrow or blood stem cell transplant to kill cancer cells and bone marrow cells. this is often a neighborhood of intensive treatment of some leukemias.

Bone marrow aspiration: this is often a procedure within which alittle sample of bone marrow is removed with a good needle and syringe and sent to laboratory to envision for cancer cells. If alittle sample of bone with bone marrow inside it's removed, it's known as bone marrow biopsy.Bone marrow transplantation: A procedure that's used to exchange bone marrow that has been destroyed by treatment with high doses of anticancer drugs or radiation.Bone metastasis: cancer that has spread to bone from the original (primary) website.

Brachytherapy: it's also known as internal radiotherapy. in this form of radiation therapy, radioactive materials sealed in needles, seeds, catheters or wires are placed directly into or near a tumor.

BRCA1 and BRCA2: these are genes on chromosomes seventeen and thirteen respectively. an individual who is born with changes (mutations) in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes has higher risk of getting breast, ovaries and prostate cancer.Breast reconstruction: a surgery that's done to rebuild the shape of the breast once removing breast.Breast self-examination: a woman examines her breasts to envision for lumps or alternative changes.

Bronchogenic carcinoma: cancer that begins in the tissue that lines or covers the airways of the lungs.Cancer antigen a hundred twenty five or CA-125: a substance that will be found in high amounts in the blood of patients with certain kinds of cancer, including ovarian cancer.Cachexia: loss of muscle mass and body weight. Cachexia is seen in patients in late stage cancer.Cancer: this is often a condition where there is uncontrolled division of abnormal cells.

Carcinogen: any substance that causes cancer, for example, tobacco smoke contains over fifty carcinogens. Benzene may be a carcinogen for leukemias.Carcinogenesis: it's a method whereby traditional cells start changing into cancer cells.Carcinoma: it's a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line the interior organs of the body. for example squamous cell carcinoma of skin or adenocarcinoma of gallbladder.

Carcinoma in situ: these are abnormal cells (not willcer) but can become cancer cells and spread. they're also said to be in stage zero of cancer for example, cervical carcinoma in situ.Carcinoma of unknown primary (cup): in this form of cancer, cancer cells are found in some elements of the body, but the place where the cancer cells first began to grow cannot be determined.Cervical: of cervix, cervical cancerColostomy: colostomy is an operation that connects the colon to the surface of the body through the abdominal wall.

Cryosurgery: this is often a procedure within which tissue is frozen to destroy abnormal cells. Liquid nitrogen or liquid carbon dioxide is employed to freeze the tissues. it's also known as cryotherapy or cryosurgical ablation.Cyst: a sac in the body; cysts in the ovary are quite common.Cytotoxic drugs: drugs that kill cells.Dilatation and curettage (D&C): this is often a procedure where some tissues are far from the liner of uterus or cervix.

The cervix is first created larger (dilated) with a instrument known as dilator and another instrument known as cutrette is inserted into the uterus to get rid of the tissue. The removed tissue sample may be sent to laboratory to envision for abnormal or cancer cells.Debulking: this is often the surgical removal of as much of a tumor as doable. this kind of operation is typically done to relieve symptoms of cancer in the late stages of the disease.

Dermal: of skinDuodenal: of duodenum, duodenal cancerDysplastic nevi: it's also known as atypical moles and have a bent to develop into melanoma.Endometrial: of endometrium, endometrial cancerEsophageal: of esophagus, esophageal cancerEuthanasia: the intentional killing of an individual to end his/her sufferings. it's also known as mercy killing.

Excision: removal by surgery, for example, excision of melanoma from skin.Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP): this is often an inherited condition within which many polyps form on the within walls of the colon and rectum. FAP increases the risk of colorectal cancers.

Familial atypical multiple mole melanoma syndrome (FAMMM): this is often an inherited condition that increases the risk of melanoma and pancreatic cancer.Familial cancer: cancers that occur in families more usually than in general population, for example, breast or colorectal cancer.Fecal occult blood take a look at (FOBT): this is often a take a look at to envision for blood in the stool. this is often a screening take a look at for bowel cancer.

Fibroadenoma: this is often a benign tumor of breast.Fibroid: a benign tumor that arises from smooth muscle, for example, uterine fibroid.First-degree relatives: this includes the fogeys, brothers, sisters, or kids of a personal.Fistula: an abnormal gap or passage between two organs or between an organ and also the surface of the body.Follow-up: monitoring a personality's health condition over time once treatment.Gardasil: this is often a vaccine to forestall infections by human papillomavirus (HPV) varieties 16, 18, 6 and 11. it's used to forestall cervical, vulvar, and vaginal cancers caused by these viruses.Gastrectomy: an operation to get rid of all or part of the abdomen.

Gastric: of abdomen, gastric cancerGastric feeding tube: a tube that's inserted through the nose, down the throat and esophagus, and into the abdomen to grant liquid foods, liquids and medicines. Feeding tubes are usually inserted in patients who have mouth, throat, neck and esophageal cancers, notably when the surgery is extensive or combined with radiotherapy or chemotherapy.Gastrotomy or PEG tube: this kind of tube is inserted directly into the abdomen through an opening in the skin and abdominal wall. this kind of tube are often used for long-term feeding.Gene: genes are items of DNA and contain the data for creating a selected protein that's passed from parent to offspring. Genetic means associated with genes.

Genetic counselor: a health skilled trained in counseling on the genetic risk of diseases. this could involve discussing the person's personal and family medical history and will result in genetic testing.Genetic testing: this is often analyzing DNA to seem for genetic amendment (mutation) that will indicate increased risk for cancer.Genital warts: these are raised growths in the genital areas caused by human papilloma virus HPV) infection.Germ cells: these are reproductive cells of the body and include egg cells in girls and sperm cells in men.

Tumors that arise from germ cells are known as germ cell tumors.Gleason score: this is often a system of grading prostate cancer tissue based on how it's under a microscope. Gleason scores range from 2 to ten and indicate how probably it's that a tumor will spread. a low Gleason score means the cancer tissue is a smaller amount probably to spread whereas a high Gleason score means the cancer tissue is more probably to spread.Hematuria: blood in the urine.

Hemoptysis: coughing out blood from the respiratory tract.Hemorrhoid: swollen blood vessel, usually seen in the anus or the rectumHepatic: of liver, hepatic cancerHepatoblastoma: it's a sort of liver cancer more common in infants and kids.Hepatocellular carcinoma: this is often the most common form of liver cancer.Hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC): this is often an inherited disorder within which the affected people have a higher-than-normal likelihood of developing colorectal cancer.High intensity targeted ultrasound: (HIFU): this is often a procedure within which high-energy sound waves are aimed directly at the cancer or abnormal cells. These waves produce heat and kill the abnormal or cancer cells.

 Some kinds of prostate cancers are treated with HIFU.Histology: the study of cells and tissues under a microscope.History: the signs and symptoms the patient might have for a selected diseaseHysterectomy: an operation where uterus and/or cervix are removed. When each uterus and also the cervix are removed, it's known as a total hysterectomy.

When solely the uterus is removed, it's known as a partial hysterectomy.Immunotherapy: a treatment that boosts body's immune system to fight cancer, for example, immunotherapy of bladder cancer with BCG vaccine.Implant: a substance or object that's place in the body as prosthesis, for example, breast implant once removal of breast for cancer.Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT): this is often a sort of radiation therapy that uses computer-generated images to point out the size and shape of the tumor and direct thin beams of radiation at the tumor from different angles. this kind of radiation therapy reduces the harm to healthy tissue near the tumor.In situ: means 'in its original place'.

Carcinoma in situ means the abnormal cells are found solely in the place they were first fashioned and haven't spread nearby.Incidence of cancer: the number of new cases of a cancer diagnosed every year.Incision: a cut created in the body by a surgeon to perform surgery.

Induction therapy: this is often the initial treatment given to cut back a cancer, for example, induction therapy for acute myeloid leukemia.Intrathecal chemotherapy: treatment within which anticancer drugs are injected into the fluid-filled space between the tissue that cover the brain and spinal wire.Intravenous (IV) chemotherapy: treatment within which anticancer drugs are injected into a vein through a canula.Labial: of lipLaryngeal: of larynx, laryngeal cancerLaser surgery: a operation that uses intense, slim beams of light to chop and destroy cancer tissue.Leukemia: a cancer that starts in blood forming tissues like bone marrow.

Lymphedema: a condition where further lymph fluid builds up in tissues and causes swelling. this can be seen in the arm once breast operations.Malignant: means cancerous. Malignancy is the term used to describe malignant cells that invade and destroy tissues.Mass: a lump. It are often benign mass or malignant mass.

Mastectomy: removal of breast.Medical oncologist: a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer using chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, biological therapy, and targeted therapy.Mesothelioma: cancer arising from the mesothelial lining of the pleura (covering of lung)Melanoma: the cancer that begins in melanocytes. Common website is the skin but also can occur in the eyes.Metastasis: the spread of cancer from one part of the body to a different. The cancer that's fashioned by cells that have spread from original website is termed metastatic cancer or metastatic tumor.Mucosal: of mucosa, mucosal lining of vaginaMutate: means 'to change'. Mutation means amendment in DNA of a cell.Nasal: of nose, nasal polypNeoplasia: it's an abnormal and uncontrolled cell growth.Neoplasm: it's an abnormal mass of tissue.

Neoplasms are often benign or malignant (cancer).
Nodule: it's a growth or lump or mass which will be benign or malignant.Oncogene: this is often a modified or mutated gene and will cause growth of cancer cells.Oncology: the study of cancerOncologist: a doctor who specializes in treating cancer.Oral: of mouth, oral cancerOvarian: of ovary, ovarian cancerPalliative therapy or treatment: this is often the treatment given to relieve the symptoms and reduce the suffering of cancer patient.

Palliative care aims to boost the standard of lifetime of patients.Pancreatic: of pancreas, pancreatic cancerPharyngeal: of pharynx, pharyngeal cancerPAP this is often a procedure within which cells are scraped from the cervix and examined under a microscope.

This take a look at is finished to detect cancer or to detect changes in the cervix that will result in cancer.Partial: not whole, partly, for example, partial gastrectomy which implies part of abdomen is removed.Penectomy: surgery to get rid of half or the whole penisPenile: of penis, penile cancerPlastic surgery: a operation that improves the appearance of body structures. The one that does cosmetic surgery is termed plastic surgeon.

Plastic surgeons are concerned in many reconstruction surgeries of breast, vagina or face once cancer treatment.Polyps: these are small growths that arise from mucous membrane of colon and rectum.Precancerous (premalignant) may be a condition that will become cancer later.Proctoscopy: examination of the rectum employing a proctoscope, inserted into the rectum.Prognosis: the probably outcome of cancer. The prognosis of most cancers in advanced stage is poor.

Prophylactic surgery: this is often a surgery to get rid of part of a body or organ with no signs of cancer but in an effort to forestall development of cancer in that organ in future. for example, prophylactic mastectomy or prophylactic removal of ovaries are typically done.Prostatic: of prostate, prostatic cancerProstate-specific antigen (PSA): this is often a protein made by prostate gland. the amount of PSA in blood may be increased in men who have prostate cancer or enlarged prostate.

Pulmonary: of lungRadiation oncologist: a doctor who specializes in using radiation to treat cancer.Radiation physicist: an individual who makes positive that the radiation machine delivers the proper quantity of radiation to the correct website in the body.Radiation therapist: a health skilled who gives radiation treatment.Radiofrequency ablation: a procedure that uses radio waves to heat and destroy abnormal and cancer cells.Recurrent cancer: cancer that has come back once treatment or once being undetectable for a amount of time. The cancer is claimed to possess recurred.

Refractory cancer or resistant cancer: cancer that does not reply to treatment.Regimen: it's a treatment arrange where the dosage, the schedule and also the duration of treatment is specified.Relative survival rate: it's an estimated variety that compares the probabilities that an individual with cancer will survive once the diagnosis or treatment of a cancer with those that do not have the cancer.

 it's usually calculated in terms of 2, 5 or ten years. for example, the 5-year relative survival rate for colorectal cancer in America, if detected and treated early, is 90%.Remission: this means disappearance of or decrease in signs and symptoms of cancer. A cancer is claimed to be in complete remission when there are not any signs and symptoms of cancer; it's in partial remission if some signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared.Renal: of kidney, renal cancerResection: removal of half or all of an organ.Risk factor: a risk factor is something that increases the possibility of developing a cancer.

 for example, smoking may be a risk factor for several cancers.Screening: checking for diseases when there are not any symptoms of cancer. examples of cancer screening tests include PAP tests, mammogram, and colonoscopy.

Sentinel lymph node: it's the primary lymph node to which cancer is likely to spread from the primary tumor.Staging of cancer: this is often doing examinations and tests to find out the extent of cancer in the body and also whether or not the cancer has spread to alternative elements of the body.

Staging cancer helps to grant best treatment to the patient.Stem cell: a cell from which alternative kinds of cells develop. for example, red blood cells develop from blood-forming stem cells.Stent: it's a tool that's placed in a body structure to keep it open. for example, a stent may be inserted in the bile duct if it's blocked by cancer of gallbladder.Stoma: this is often an opening created surgically from a vicinity inside the body to the surface. for example, colostomy has a stoma in the abdominal wall.Surgical menopause: a woman stops to possess menstrual amount following removal of her ovaries. this is often seen in operations on cancers of ovaries or uterus.

Surgical oncologist: a doctor who performs surgical procedures in cancer patients.Systemic chemotherapy: treatment of cancer with chemotherapy drugs that travel through bloodstream and reach cells everywhere the body.Targeted therapy: a sort of cancer treatment that uses drugs or alternative substances to spot and attack specific cancer cells.Testicular: of testis, testicular cancerThermotherapy: treatment of disease using heat.

Topical treatment: medicines that are applied on the surface of the body, for example, Aldara cream is applied topically on the skin to treat basal cell cancer.Ulcer: this is often a clear stage on the skin or in the lining of an organ. for example, an ulcer on the face may be a symbol of basal cell carcinoma.Urethral: of urethra, urethral dischargeUterine: of uterus, uterine cancerUrologic oncologist: a doctor who specializes in treating cancers of the urinary system.Vaginal of vagina, vaginal cancerVisceral: of the viscera, viscera mean internal organs.

 Visceral pain is pain comingVulval or vulvar: of vulva, vulval pr vulvar cancerWart: a raised growth on the surface of the skin or alternative organs.Watchful waiting: This involves closely watching a patient's condition but not giving any active treatment. this is often used in certain cancers like prostate or myeloma where the cancer progresses very slowly.Wedge resection: this is often a operation where a triangular piece of tissue is removed so as to treat a cancer.