| A | B |
|---|
| cancer | Abnormal, uncontrolled cellular growth |
| malignant tumor | A tumor that is cancerous and capable of spreading |
| benign tumor | A tumor that is not cancerous |
| lymphatic system | A system of vessels that returns proteins, lipids, and other substances from fluid in the tissues to the circulatory system |
| biopsy | The removal and examination of a small piece of body tissue |
| metastasis | The spread of cancer cells from one part of the body to another |
| carcinoma | Cancer that originates in epithelial tissue (skin, glands, and lining of internal organs) |
| epithelial layer | A layer of tissue that covers a surface or lines a tube or cavity of the body, enclosing and protecting other parts of the body |
| sarcoma | Cancer arising from bone, cartilage, or striated muscle |
| lymphoma | A tumor originating from lymphatic tissue |
| leukemia | Cancer of the blood or the blood-forming cells |
| bone marrow | Soft vascular tissue in the interior cavities of bones that produces blood cells |
| oncologist | A specialist in the study of tumors |
| carcinogen | Any substance that causes cancer |
| chemotherapy | The treatment of cancer with chemicals that selectively destroy cancerous cells |
| remission | A period during the course of cancer in which there are no symptoms or other evidence of disease |
| polyp | A small, usually harmless mass of tissue that projects from the inner surface of the colon or rectum |
| mammograms | Low-dose X rays of the breasts used to check for early signs of breast cancer |
| ultrasonography | An imaging method in which sound waves are bounced off body structures to create an image on a TV monitor; also called ultrasound |
| PSA blood test | A diagnostic test for prostate cancer that measures blood levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) |
| incontinence | The inability to control the flow of urine |
| impotence | The inability to have an erection or ejaculate; an inability to perform sexual intercourse |
| Pap test | A scraping of cells from the cervix for examination under a microscope to detect cancer |
| endometrium | The layers of tissue lining the uterus |
| melanoma | A malignant tumor of the skin that arises from pigmented cells, usually a mole |
| ultraviolet (UV) radiation | Light rays of a specific wavelength emitted by the sun; most UV rays are blocked by the ozone layer in the upper atmosphere |
| basal cell carcinoma | Cancer of the deepest layers of the skin |
| squamous cell carcinoma | Cancer of the surface layers of the skin |
| sunscreen | A substance used to protect the skin from UV rays; usually applied as an ointment or a cream |
| chromosomes | The threadlike bodies in a cell nucleus that contain molecules of DNA |
| DNA | Deoxyribonucleic acid, a chemical substance that carries genetic information |
| gene | A section of a chromosome that contains the nucleotide base sequence for making a particular protein |
| mutagen | Any environmental factor that can cause mutation, such as radiation and atmospheric chemicals |
| oncogene | A gene involved in the transformation of a normal cell into a cancer cell |
| tumor suppressor gene | A type of oncogene that normally functions to restrain cellular growth |
| apoptosis | Genetically programmed cell death |
| anticarcinogen | An agent that destroys or otherwise blocks the action of carcinogens |
| carotenoid | Any of a group of yellow-to-red plant pigments that can be converted to vitamin A by the liver |
| antioxidant | A substance that can lessen the breakdown of food or body constituents |
| free radicals | Electron-seeking compounds that can react with fats, proteins, and DNA |
| phytochemical | A naturally occurring substance found in plant foods - may help prevent chronic diseases like cancer & heart disease |
| sulforaphane | A compound found in cruciferous vegetables that can turn on the body's detoxifying enzyme system |
| nitrosamine | A carcinogen made in the stomach from nitrates and nitrites |
| magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) | Computerized imaging technique-uses a strong magnetic field & radio frequency signals |
| computed tomography (CT) | The use of computerized X ray images to create a cross-sectional depiction of tissue density |
| induction chemotherapy | The use of chemotherapy prior to surgery to shrink a cancerous tumor and prevent metastasis |
| gene chip | Small glass chips on which tens of thousands of specific DNA sequences have been laid out in precise grids |
| stem cells | Unspecialized cells that can divide and produce cells that differentiate into the many different types of specialized cells in the body |
| cytokine | A chemical messenger produced by a variety of cell types that helps regulate many cell functions |
| protease inhibitor | A drug that inhibits the action of any of the protein-splitting enzymes |
