| A | B |
|---|
| Cancer | Group of diseases in which abnormal cells grow uncontrollably and crowd out normal cells. |
| Carcinogenesis | Beginning or development of cancer due to changes in cellular DNA |
| Dysplasia | Abnormal, precancerous cell growth |
| Tumour (Neoplasm) | Mass of abnormal cells that may be benign or malignant. |
| Benign tumour | Noncancerous tumour that grows slowly, is made of cells that remain differentiated, is encapsulated, and doesn't spread or metastasize |
| Malignant tumour | Cancerous tumour that becomes undifferentiated, is not encapsulated, invades tissues and may metastasize. |
| Differentiated | Cells that resemble the original tissue type. |
| Anaplastic | Undifferentiated cells that no longer resemble the original tissue. |
| In Situ | Tumour confined to its site of origin (original location). |
| Metastasis | Spread of cancer from the primary site to another part of the body. |
| Cystic Tumour | Tumour containing large fluid-filled spaces. |
| Fungating Tumour | Tumour with mushroom-like growth projecting from tissue. |
| Inflammatory Tumour | Tumour causing redness, swelling, and heat. |
| Medullary Tumour | Large, soft, fleshy tumour. |
| Necrotic Tumour | Tumour containing dead tissue. |
| Polypoid Tumour | Tumour or growth projecting outward from a base. |
| Ulcerating Tumour | Tumour type characterized by open exposed surface caused by tissue death. |
| Verrucous Tumour | Tumour with a wart-like appearance |
| Tumour Grading | Classification based on cellular differentiation and maturity. |
| Tumour Staging | Classification based on extent of spread. |
| Carcinoma | Cancer arising from epithelial tissue. |
| Colorectal Cancer | Cancer of the colon or rectum; often hereditary. |
| Esophageal Cancer | Cancer of the esophagus associated with smoking, alcohol, and GERD. |
| Liver Cancer | Cancer often begins in bile ducts or liver cells and is associated with hepatitis B or C |
| Stomach Cancer | Cancer often associated with chronic Helicobacter pylori infection. |
| Breast Cancer | Cancer arising from breast tissue, often ductal or lobular; most often detected through mammography. |
| Pancreatic Cancer | Cancer difficult to detect early with poor survival rates. |
| Lung Cancer | Cancer strongly associated with cigarette smoking and asbestos exposure. |
| Basal Cell Carcinoma | Skin cancer arising from the deepest epidermal layer; presents as a small bump on sun-exposed areas. |
| Squamous Cell Carcinoma | Skin cancer caused by UV exposure. |
| Malignant Melanoma | Aggressive skin cancer arising from malignant transformation of melanocytes; often begins as an atypical mole. |
| Ovarian Cancer | Cancer of the ovary or fallopian tube, often cystic, hereditary and originates in the ovaries or fallopian tube lining. |
| Cervical Cancer | Cancer strongly associated with HPV infection. |
| Testicular Cancer | Cancer of the testes with good prognosis if detected early; risk increases with undescended testes. |
| Sarcoma | Cancer arising from bone, muscle, or connective tissue. |
| Osteosarcoma | Most common primary bone tumour. |
| Leukemia | Cancer arising from hematopoietic stem cells in bone marrow. |
| Hodgkin Lymphoma | Lymphoma involving Reed-Sternberg cells. |
| Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma | Large group of malignancies developing from lymphocytes |
| Oncologist | Physician specializing in cancer diagnosis and treatment. |
| CBC with differential | Test that measures immune cell activity and can show abnormal cells in the blood |
| Prostate-Specific Antigen test. | Test used as a marker for prostate cancer |
| Biopsy | Removal of tissue for microscopic examination; can be incisional or excisional. |
| Incisional Biopsy | Removal of a small piece of a tumour. |
| Excisional Biopsy | Removal of an entire tumour. |
| Lymph Node Dissection | Sampling lymph nodes to assess metastatic spread. |
| Chemotherapy | Drug treatment that damages cancer cell DNA and inhibits cell division; may also damage rapidly dividing healthy cells as a side effect |
| Cauterization | Destruction of tissue using heat or chemicals. |
| Cryosurgery | Destruction of tissue using extreme cold. |
| Brachytherapy | Radiation therapy using radioactive seeds near or in a tumour. |
| External Beam Irradiation | Radiation delivered from a machine outside the body; also called teletherapy. |
| Immunotherapy | Treatment using lymphocytes or monoclonal antibodies to attack cancer. |
| Monoclonal Antibody | Laboratory-engineered antibody used in cancer therapy. |
| Mammogram | Test commonly used to screen for breast cancer |
| Colonoscopy | visual examination of the colon |
| PET scan | Imaging test most sensitive for detecting metastatic cancer activity |
