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-Cells that lack normal cellular characteristics and differ in shape and organization with respect to their cells of origin
-usually these cells are malignant
Anaplasia
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programmed cell death
Apoptosis
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-not cancerous
-these tumors may grow but are unable to spread to other areas
Benign
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Use of agents or treatment methods that can alter the immunologic relationship between the tumor and the host to provide a therapeutic benefit
Biologic response modifier (BRM) therapy
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a diagnostic procedure to remove a small sample of tissue to be examined microscopically to detect malignant cells
Biopsy
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delivery of radiation therapy through internal implants
brachytherapy
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a disease process whereby cells proliferate abnormally, ignoring growth-regulating signals in the environment surrounding the cells
cancer
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process ot transforming normal cells into malignant cells
carcinogenesis
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use of medications to kill tumor cells by interfering with cellular functions and reproduction
Chemotherapy
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containment of the growth of cancer cells
control
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prolonged survival and disappearance of all evidence of disease so that the patient has the same life expectancy as anyone else in his or her age group
cure
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substances produced by cells of the immune system to enhance production and functioning of components of the immune system
cytokines
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bizarre cell growth resulting in cells that differ in size, shape, or arrangement from other cells cells from the same type of tissue
dysplasia
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leakage of medication from the veins into the subcutaneous tissues
extravasation
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identification of the type of tissue from which the tumor originated and the degree to which the tumor cells retain the functional and structural characteristics fo the tissue of origin
grading
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-an immune response initiated by T lymphocytes of donor tissue against the recipient's tissues (skin, gastrointestinal tract, liver)
-an undesirable response
graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD)
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-the donor cell response against the malignancy
-a desirable response
graft-versus-tumor effect
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-increase in the number of cells of a tissue
-most often associated with periods of rapid body growth
hyperplasia
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having cells or processes that are characteristic of cancer
malignant
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conversion of one type of mature cell into another type of cell
metaplasia
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spread of cancer cells from the primary tomor to distant sites
metastasis
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suppression of the blood cell-producing function of the bone marrow
myelosuppression
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lowest point of white blood cell depression after therapy that has toxic effects on the bone marrow
nadir
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uncontrolled cell growth that follows no physiologic demand
neoplasia
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abnormally low absolute neutrophil count
neutropenia
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field or study of cancer
oncology
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relief of symptoms and promotion of comfort and quality of life
palliation
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use of ionizing radiation to interrupt the growth of malignant cells
radiation therapy
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process of determining the extent of disease, including tumor size and spread or metastasis to distant sites
staging
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inflammation of the oral tissues, often associated with some chemotherapeutic agents and radiation therapy to the head and neck region
stomatitis
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cancer treatments that seek to minimize the negative effects on healthy tissues by disrupting specific cancer cell functions, such as malignant formation, communication pathways, processess for growth and metastasis, and genetic coding
targeted therapies
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-decrease in the numver of circulating platelets
-associated with the potential for bleeding
thrombocytopenia
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protein on the membrane of cancer cells that distinguishes the malignant cell from a benign cell of the same tissue type
tumor-specific antigen (TSA)
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substance that can cause tissue nercrosis and damage, particularly when extravasated
vesicant
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dry oral cavity resulting from decreased function of salivary glands
xerostomia
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