Although the site has aimed to use simple terminology, there are some terms that may still need explanation. The glossary of difficult terms are listed alphabetically.
Glossary of Terms A to E
A | ||
| abdomen | belly or tummy | |
| autologous stem cell transplant | A procedure in which stem cells are removed, stored and then given back to the same person. | |
B | ||
| biopsy | The removal of a small sample of tissue from the body, for examination under a microscope, to help diagnose a disease. | |
| bladder | A sac with an elastic wall of muscle; found in the lower part of the abdomen. The bladder stores urine until it is passed from the body. | |
| breast | The gland in a woman that produces milk. The breast is made up of fat, connective tissue and lobes converging to the nipple. Tiny muscles and nerve endings around the nipple and areola are particularly responsive to stimulation or cold. Stimulation of the breast and nipple increases sexual arousal. | |
C | ||
| carcinoid tumour | Sometimes referred to as simply carcinoid, carcinoid tumour is a tumour of the neuroendocrine system. The neuroendocrine system is a network of glands that produce particular hormones and send them into the bloodstream to affect the function of different organs in the body. Most carcinoid tumours are found in the appendix or the small intestine. Less commonly they may arise in the lung or the pancreas. Rarely they may arise in other parts of the body. Carcinoid tumours often grow slowly and it may be several years before any symptoms appear and the tumour is diagnosed. | |
| catheter | A tube passed into the bladder (or other organ) to remove fluid | |
| chemotherapy | The use of special (cytotoxic) drugs to treat cancer by killing cancer cells or slowing their growth | |
| chronic myeloid leukaemia | A slow-growing leukaemia in which too many immature white blood cells of the myeloid family are found in the blood and bone marrow. | |
| colonoscopy |
| |
| computerised tomography (CT) | The technique that uses x-rays to build a picture of the body. | |
D | ||
| digital rectal examination | An examination of the prostate through the rectum wall. The doctor inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to feel the shape of the prostate | |
E | ||
| Ewing's Sarcoma | A cancer which can develop anywhere in the body, although it most often starts in the bone (a primary bone tumour). Any bone can be affected, but the pelvis, thigh bone (femur) and shin bone (tibia) are the most commonly affected places. Ewing's sarcoma is most commonly found in teenagers and young adults, and is slightly more common in males than females. | |
| Examination Under Anaesthetic (EUA) | An Examination Under Anaesthetic (EUA) will allow your surgeon to examine your head and neck area more closely. You will have a general anaesthetic and will be completely asleep for the procedure. Your doctor will perform a Laryngoscopy, Oesophagoscopy and/or Bronchoscopy and may need to take a Biopsy during this procedure. |
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