A
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| D
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| F
| G
| H
| I
| J
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| M
N |
O |
P |
Q |
R |
S |
T |
U |
V |
W |
X |
Y |
Z
A [return
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anesthesia - lack of normal sensation,
especially the awareness of pain, which may be brought on by anesthetic
drugs. General anesthesia causes loss of consciousness; local or regional
anesthesia causes loss of feeling only to a specified area.
asymptomatic - to be without noticeable symptoms
of disease.
atypical - not usual; often refers to the
appearance of precancerous or cancerous cells.
autopsy - examination of a body after death. Autopsies
are performed to determine cause of death, or to verify a diagnosis.
B [return
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benign - non-cancerous.
bilateral - affecting both sides of the body.
Bilateral breast cancer is cancer occurring in both breasts at the same
time.
biopsy - a procedure performed to remove tissue or cells
from the body for examination under a microscope.
blood - the
life-maintaining fluid which is made up of plasma, red blood cells
(erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and platelets; blood
circulates through the body's heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries; it
carries away waste matter and carbon dioxide, and brings nourishment,
electrolytes, hormones, vitamins, antibodies, heat, and oxygen to the
tissues.
blood banking - the
process that takes place in a laboratory to ensure that the donated blood or
blood products are safe before they are used for blood transfusions or other
medical procedures.
bone marrow - the soft, spongy tissue found
inside bones. It is the medium for development and storage of about 95
percent of the body's blood cells.
bone marrow aspiration and biopsy - the marrow
may be removed by aspiration or a needle biopsy under local anesthesia. In
aspiration biopsy, a fluid specimen is removed from the bone marrow. In a
needle biopsy, marrow cells (not fluid) are removed. These methods are often
used together.
C [return
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cancer - not just one disease, but rather a group
of diseases. All forms of cancer cause cells in the body to change and grow
out of control. Most types of cancer cells form a lump or mass called a
tumor. The tumor can invade and destroy healthy tissue.
carcinoma - cancer found in body tissues that
cover or line surfaces of organs, glands, or body structures.
cellular pathology (Also called cytopathology.) - the
study of cellular alterations in disease.
comparative pathology - the study of disease in animals
and how it compares in humans.
cyst - a closed sac in or under the skin that is
filled with fluid.
cytology - the study of individual cells.
D [return
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dermatopathology - the study of the skin in diagnosing skin
diseases.
dysplasia - abnormal development of tissue.
E [return
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edema - build-up of fluid in the tissues,
causing swelling.
epithelium - a specialized type of tissue that
normally lines the surfaces and cavities of the body.
excisional biopsy - surgery to remove tissue for
examination.
F [return
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G [return
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grade - the grade of a cancer reflects how abnormal it looks under
the microscope. There are several grading systems for different types of
cancer.
H [return
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hematopathology - the study of blood, bone marrow, and the organs and
tissues that use blood cells to perform their functions.
hyperplasia - an increase in the number of cells in an organ or
tissue.
I [return
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immunology - the study of the body's immune system and its functions and
disorders.
inflammation - the response of the tissues of
the body to irritation or injury. The signs of inflammation are redness,
heat, swelling, and pain.
informed consent - a legal document that
explains a course of treatment, the risks, benefits, and possible
alternatives; the process by which patients agree to treatment.
invasive cancer - cancer that begins in one area
and then spreads deeper into the tissues of that area.
J [return
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K [return
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L [return
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lesion - a destructive change in body tissue,
such as a wound, injury, or inflammation.
lobe - a roundish projection of any structure.
In the breast, lobes of the mammary glands radiate from the central area to
the nipple area like wheel spokes.
locally invasive - a tumor which can invade the
tissues surrounding it by sending out "fingers" of cancerous cells
into normal tissue.
M [return
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malignant - cancerous cells that can invade other parts of the
body.
metaplasia - the phenomenon by which one type of
tissue is replaced by another type.
metastasize - when cancer cells spread to other
parts of the body.
N [return
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necrosis -
death of tissue.
needle biopsy - use of a needle to extract
tissue, cells, or fluid for microscopic examination.
neoplasm - any abnormal growth of new tissue; a
proliferation of cells no longer under normal physiologic control. These may
be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
neuropathology - the pathology of the nervous system.
O [return
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"-oma" - a suffix meaning "tumor" or
"lump."
P [return
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pathology - the study of diseases.
primary site - the place where cancer begins.
Primary cancer is named after the organ in which it starts. For example,
cancer that starts in the kidney is always kidney cancer, even if it spreads
(metastasizes) to other organs such as bones or lungs.
polyp - a structure consisting of a rounded head which grows outward
from a broad base or stalk.
prognosis - predicting the likely outcome of a
disease based on the condition of the patient and the action of the disease.
Q [return
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R [return
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S [return
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secondary tumor - a tumor that forms as a result
of spread (metastasis) of cancer from the place where it started.
serology - the study of blood serum (the clear fluid that
separates when blood clots).
serum - a clear fluid that separates when blood clots.
sputum (Also called phlegm.) - mucous from the lungs.
stage - the measurement of the extent of the cancer.
stem cells - the blood cells that produce other
blood cells. It is the stem cells that are needed in bone marrow
transplantation.
T [return
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tumor - an abnormal lump or
mass of tissue. Tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant
(cancerous).
U [return
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unilateral - affecting one side of the body. For example,
unilateral kidney cancer occurs in one kidney only.
V [return
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venipuncture - drawing blood with a needle from a vein
usually in the forearm.
W [return
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whole blood - blood containing all its components, such as red
and white blood cells, platelets and more.
X [return
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Y [return
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Z [return
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