Glossary Terms

Abdominal

The body area which includes the stomach, intestines and other digestive organs.

Acute

A sudden onset of symptoms or disease.

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)

A type of cancer of the blood. In AML white blood cells called granulocytes or monocytes become cancerous. AML usually develops quickly, over days to weeks. It is the most common type of leukaemia in adults. It is most often diagnosed in older people, and is most common in people over 65 years old.

Adenocarcinoma

A malignant tumour originating in glandular tissue.

Adenoma

A benign tumour formed from glandular tissue.

Adjuvant therapy

Treatment, usually chemotherapy, hormone therapy or radiotherapy, often given following surgery. It is given to increase the likelihood of killing all cancerous cells.

Advanced communication

A skill needed by staff that have to give complex or upsetting news to patients and carers. It means being able to speak with patients about their feelings, to listen, to judge how much information a patient wants to know, and to give clear information with empathy.

Aetiology

The study of cause(s) of an illness or disorder

Allied Health Professionals (AHPs)

Clinical healthcare professions who are not doctors, nurses or pharmacists.

Alopecia

The loss of hair which may include all body hair as well as scalp hair.

Ameliorated

Improvement in condition.

Anaemia

A condition which causes a decrease in the number of red blood cells. Symptoms may include feeling tired, weak and shortness of breath.

Anaesthetic

Can be local or general. Local anaesthetic is a medical term used to describe how a cream or injection can be used to cause temporary numbness in a specific area of the body during certain tests or procedures. General anaesthetic is a medical term used to describe how a specialist doctor (anaesthetist) uses drugs to put patients to sleep during an operation.

Analgesic

Any drug that relieves pain.

Analysis of Variance

A statistical technique which is used to compare differences between groups.

Anaplastic

Cancer cells that divide quickly and do not look like normal cells.

Anorexia

Loss of appetite.

Antibody

A substance formed by the body to help it fight infection.

Anti–emetic

Something that can help or prevent sickness.

Anus

The opening at the end of the rectum where solid waste leaves the body.

Atrophy

Wasting of the muscles

Autoimmune

An immune response by the body against one of its own tissues, cells, or molecules.

Axilla

The armpit.

Axillary surgery

An operation used to treat patients with breast cancer. It involved removal of the lymph nodes in the armpit. It helps to stage the disease and helps the surgeon to decide if the patient needs any other treatments such as chemotherapy.

Axon

Part of the neuron which carries signals to specific cells such as muscle cells.

Barium enema

Procedure for examining the lower intestine. The patient lies on an X-ray table. An enema of barium and water is squirted into the back passage (rectum) through a small plastic tube. The barium spreads through the lower bowel and shows up any lumps or swellings, which can be seen on the X-ray screen.

Barium swallow

This test looks at the foodpipe (gullet or oesophagus) and stomach. It is carried out in the X-ray room. The patient is given a drink of white barium liquid. The doctor may want to take X-rays while the liquid is being swallowed as well as when it is in the patient's stomach.

Barium x-ray

This investigates the outline of any part of the digestive system. A barium swallow is usually used to investigate the gullet or stomach, while a barium enema is used to investigate the lower bowel or colon. Barium is a white liquid that shows up clearly on an x-ray. It coats the inside of the gullet, stomach or bowel, so that tumours show up as irregular outlines extending from the wall of the affected organ.

Benign

Non-cancerous lump or tumour which grows slowly in one specific area and when removed by surgery rarely returns.

Biliary stenting

Bile ducts carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder. Bile helps the body to digest fats in food. Biliary stenting is used to treat blockages that occur in the bile ducts. It involves placing a plastic or metal tube inside the bile duct.

Biological agent

A substance that is made from a living organism (like a bacteria or virus) or its products. It is used in the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of cancer and other diseases.

Biopsy

Carried out if cancer is suspected in an area of the body, by examining a sample of tissue removed from that area.

Bone marrow

The spongy inner part of large bones where blood cells are made. Bone marrow aspiration or sampling is a procedure in which a fine needle is used to remove a small amount of bone marrow for examination.

Bone Marrow Test

This investigates whether there are cancer cells in the bone marrow. A small sample of marrow is taken (aspirated) using a syringe, usually from the hip. It can be used for any type of cancer if it is suspected that the bone marrow could contain cancer cells, but is most often done for cancers that affect the bone marrow, such as: Lymphomas (non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma or Hodgkin’s disease). Leukaemias. Multiple myeloma.

Bone Scan

This involves injecting a radioactive substance into the bloodstream. This collects in the bones and is detected by a 'gamma camera'. More of the radioactive substance tends to collect in areas where there is a lot of activity in the bone, meaning it is breaking down or repairing itself. These 'hot spots' can be seen by the camera. They may be caused by other conditions, such as arthritis.

Brachytherapy

A type of radiotherapy in which radioactive materials are placed in direct contact with the tissue being treated. It allows high doses of radiation to be delivered to small areas of tissue, limiting normal tissue damage. Brachytherapy is commonly used to treat localized prostate cancer, cancer of the cervix (neck of the womb), lung cancer and cancers of the head and neck.

Breast reconstruction

Surgery to rebuild the shape of the breast(s) following mastectomy (removal of the breast).

Bronchoscopy

A procedure to examine the inside of the lung.

Cachexia

Cachexia is a descriptive term for a group of symptoms including by weight loss, presistent tiredness, weakness and loss of appetite.

Cancer

A general name for more than 200 diseases in which abnormal cells grow out of control.

Carcinogen

A substance which causes or helps to cause cancer

Carcinoma

A cancer in the tissues lining an organ or organ system. Carcinomas are the most common cancers.

Cardiac

Relating to the heart.

Care plan

A written plan that outlines the care that an individual patient should receive throughout their illness.

Carrier

A carrier of a genetic disorder will carry a gene for a recessive disorder, while usually remaining unaffected. The carrier, however, may pass the faulty gene onto their children.

Carrier testing

A person can be genetically tested to find out if they have a 'copy' of a faulty gene which they could potentially pass on to their children.

Cells

The basic unit of life.

Central nervous system (CNS)

The combination of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves that control voluntary and involuntary acts.

Cervical Smear

This involves a few cells being removed from a woman’s cervix using a spatulum. These are sent off to a laboratory to be examined under a microscope.

Cervix / Cervical

Neck of the womb.

Chemotherapy

The use of special cell – killing drugs to treat cancer.

Chromosome

These are the housing for genes. Chromosomes come in 23 pairs, with one from each parent giving a total of 46. Because chromosomes contain genes, a person will have two copies of every gene. The chromosomes are in the nucleus of the cell.

Chronic

Term applied to a condition or disease which is long standing and which may not be curable but can be managed

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)

In CLL it is the lymphocyte white blood cells that are cancerous.

Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML)

In CML, it is the granulocyte white blood cells that are cancerous. CML is sometimes called chronic granulocytic leukaemia or CGL.

Clinical management guidelines

Outlines the best way to treat the patients. These are usually based on good evidence or are recommended by national bodies like the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE).

Clinical trial

Clinical trials compare new treatments (e.g. a drug) to a placebo (inactive look-a-like or imitation substance) or other treatments.

Colorectal cancer

Cancer of the colon (large bowel) and / or rectum.

Community care

Community care arranges or provides social services for children and adults who have care needs. The first point of contact is usually through a social worker. Community care provides a range of services. Examples include: ·home care services (help with personal tasks, for example, bathing and washing, getting up and going to bed, shopping and managing finances); ·home helps (to help with cleaning and meal preparation); ·adaptations to the home; ·provision of meals ·help with benefits advice; and ·help with arranging hospice care.

Complex Decongestive Therapy (CDT)

This is an intensive course of treatment, lasting from 10 days to 6 weeks, depending on the severity of the Lymphoedema. It consists of: § Skin and nail care: to avoid the risk of infection by using skin washes and cream that keeps the skin supple; § A type of massage called Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) – given daily to encourage lymph flow and reduce swelling; § layered compression bandaging - on a daily basis to reduce the size of the limb; and § Exercise - gentle exercise on a daily basis to encourage good lymph flow

Complication

An unexpected or unwanted effect of a procedure or treatment (e.g. infection, drug allergy) that can change the outcome and may require more treatment.

Complication rate

The proportion of people who have complications as a result of having a particular procedure or treatment.

Consent

Before certain investigations or procedures, you will be asked to give written or verbal agreement for them to be carried out.

Conservation surgery

Is the removal of a lump from the breast such that the majority of breast tissue remains.

Contracture

Shortening of the muscle or tendon preventing the joint from moving freely.

Core biopsy

A piece of tissue is taken from a lump with a needle and is examined under a microscope to see if cancer cells are present.

Counselling

The opportunity to talk things over with a trained counsellor. Counselling can help you make sense of your feelings and offer you encouragement. It does not tell you what to do, but it can offer new ideas for coping.

Creatine Kinase

A type of protein found in muscle. Some forms of Muscular Dystrophy are associated with high levels of this.

CREST (Clinical Resource Efficiency Support Team)

Provide guidelines to support good practice in clinical and social care in Northern Ireland.

CT (Computerised Tomography) Scan

Computerised tomography uses x-rays to generate an image of parts of the body. While traditional x-rays use a single x-ray beam, CT scans provide more detailed information by sending multiple beams from different angles, and using a computer to interpret them. It is used for both diagnosis and staging of cancers - staging of cancer being a measure of how much it has grown and spread.

Cystectomy

An operation to remove the bladder. There are two types of cystectomy. A segmental (partial) cystectomy removes part of the bladder. A radical (or total) cystectomy removes all of the bladder and some of the tissue around it.

Cystoscopy

A cystoscope is a thin tube containing optic fibres with a light and an eyepiece attached. A cystoscopy is an inspection of the bladder, carried out by passing the cystoscope through the urethre. It is the most important test for diagnosing primary cancer of the bladder or to investigate whether other cancers have spread to the bladder. It is also used to investigate:

Cytology

Refers to the microscopic examination of abnormal cells. This examination allows the cancer specialist to identify the type and extent of the cancer.

De-bulking surgery

Surgery that removes as much of a tumour as possible. Tumor debulking may increase the chance that chemotherapy or radiation therapy will kill all the tumor cells. It may also be done to relieve symptoms or help the patient live longer.

Deletion mutation

This is where genetic material is lost from a chromosome or gene.

Desmin

A protein that forms the intermediate filaments of muscle cells.

Diagnosis

The medical term given to any illness that has been identified following a full medical investigation of symptoms and/or specific test results.

Dietitian

A health professional who can advise on how to eat sensibly to help you live with cancer and its treatments.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

An acid present in the chromosomes of all plants and animal cells by which all hereditary characteristics are passed from parent to offspring

Dominant inheritance

A case where the person displaying symptoms of a condition has only one pair of affected chromosomes.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Caused by an error in a gene called dystrophin and usually affects only boys, although there are rare cases in girls. A lack of dystrophin protein results in muscle cells breaking down, causing progressive muscle weakness. It affects the muscles of the pelvis and thighs first, causing difficulty in walking between the ages of one and three.

Dysphagia

Difficulty in swallowing.

Dystrophy

Any disorder arising from defective or faulty taking in and metabolism of nutrients.

Egg freezing

The process by which women can have eggs surgically removed and frozen for future use.

End of life

A period of time during which a person’s condition is getting much worse and when death is expected.

End of life care

Helps people who are at the end of life to live as well as possible until they die. It allows the needs of the patient and the family to be identified and met throughout the last part of life and into bereavement. This includes physical care and the relief of pain and other symptoms. It also includes psychological, social, spiritual and practical support.

Endometrial

To do with the lining of the womb.

Endometrial

To do with the lining of the womb.

Endometrium

Lining of the uterus or womb.

Endometrium

Lining of the uterus or womb.

Endoscopy

The endoscope contains a camera and light, enabling the clinician to visualise the area in question. It is usually used to investigate the: Oesophagus. Stomach. Large Bowel. Small Bowel. The endoscopy is usually carried out at outpatients. Most patients have a choice between having the test while they are awake or after having a medicine to make them drowsy . The endoscope tube is passed down the throat or through the rectum to the area being investigated. If there are any abnormalities, the doctor will take pieces of tissue from the abnormal looking area to send to the laboratory for closer inspection under a microscope. These tissue samples are called biopsies.

Enzyme

A protein molecule that causes chemical reactions of other substances, without itself being destroyed or altered on completion of the reactions

Exon

Coding sequence in a gene.

External beam radiotherapy

Radiation that has been produced by a machine called a linear accelerator is applied to the area that needs to be treated.

Fertility

Ability to have children.

Fine needle aspiration (FNA)

A procedure in which a fine needle is used to take a sample of cells from a suspicious lump under local anaesthetic (e.g., a breast lump).

Genes

Shorter sections of DNA which act as code for a particular characteristic. If a person inherits particular chromosomes, they also inherit the particular characteristics coded for by the genes on those chromosomes.

Genetic

Characteristics determined by genes

Genetic component

To do with the genes.

Genetic counselling

Information and support provided by specialists to individuals with genetic conditions in their families.

Genetic disorder

Conditions resulting from abnormality in the genetic makeup of an individual. Genetic disorders can be caused by defects in one or more genes.

Genetic screening

The process of analyzing DNA samples to detect the presence of a gene or genes that are linked with an inherited disorder.

Genetic testing

Tests on an individual's DNA to identify any faults which could cause a disorder.

Glioma

Tumour arising from tissue

Gynaecological cancer

Cancers of the female reproductive system. This can include ovaries, womb (endometrium / uterus), neck of the womb (cervix), or vagina.

Haematological cancers

Refers to cancers of the blood and blood forming tissues.

Haematologist

A doctor who specialises in blood disorders.

Haematology

The branch of medicine that studies the blood, the blood-forming organs, and blood diseases.

Hepatic

Of the liver.

Hepatologist

Doctor specialising in the treatment of liver disease.

Hepatopancreatobiliary cancers

Refers to cancers of the liver, pancreas and bile duct.

Histological Grade

Provides prognostic information that allows doctors to assess the future course and outcome of a disease.

Histology

The study of tissues. Histology reports help doctors to make a diagnosis.

Histopathology

The study of microscopic changes in tissues.

Holistic care / holistic approach

This refers to care that looks at all of the needs of the patient to include: physical, emotional and spiritual. It allows someone to be treated as a whole person, not just as a disease.

Hormone therapy

Treatment of disease with hormones. Usually used in the treatment of cancers of the breast, prostate, thyroid and uterus (womb).

Hormones

Chemical substances produced by the body, which circulate in the blood and help to control growth, reproduction and other functions.

Hospice

An institution specialising in caring for people receiving palliative care.

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

A virus responsible for various warts. Some HPV’s cause genital warts; others have been implicated in Cervical Cancer.

Hyperlipidaemia

Hyperlipidaemia is the presence of raised lipids(fats) in the blood.

Hypotonia

Floppiness.

Image Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT)

IGRT is a new way of using scans during radiotherapy treatment. Doctors hope this way of giving treatment may help radiotherapy to work as well as possible and will reduce side effects.

Immune system

The body's main defence system against infection, disease and foreign substances.

Immunological

Anything that involves the body's natural defences or immunity against disease.

Immunophenotyping

A test that can identify specific cells by monitoring the reaction between different biological agents. This can help identify where in the body the cancerous cells came from.

In situ

Cancer at an early stage, which has not spread.

In situ

Cancer at an early stage, which has not spread.

Incontinence

The loss of control of the muscles which control the passing of urine or faeces.

Inherited predisposition

An increased risk of developing a particular disease due to genetic factors.

Inoperable

Refers to a cancer that cannot be removed by surgery, either because the cancer has spread or because removal might cause too much damage to normal tissue.

Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT)

IMRT uses technology to precisely “shape” an external radiation dose. The precision of the radiation beam delivers a higher dose to the tumour and a lower dose to nearby normal tissue.

Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT)

IMRT uses technology to precisely “shape” an external radiation dose. The precision of the radiation beam delivers a higher dose to the tumour and a lower dose to nearby normal tissue.

Invasive cancer

A stage of cancer in which cancer cells have spread to healthy tissue adjacent to the tumour.

Invasive diagnostic tests or procedures

There are “non-invasive” and “invasive” diagnostic tests and procedures. Non-invasive tests don’t involve inserting needles, instruments or fluids into the body (e.g. CT scan). Some examples of invasive procedures include: § a simple needle prick for a blood test; § inserting a scope to have a look at the tissues (e.g. bronchoscopy); § taking a tissue sample for a biopsy; and § and major surgery (e.g. mastectomy).

Ionising radiation

A type of radiation made or given off by X-ray procedures, radioactive substances and other sources. At high doses ionizing radiation increases chemical activity inside cells and can lead to health risks, including cancer.

Isotope scan

An imaging technique involving the injection of a very weak radioactive substance, which collects in a particular organ for a short time. A special camera is then be used to look at the organ.

Larynx

Voice box. The larynx is part of the breathing system and is found in the throat.

Laser therapy

The use of a very powerful beam of light to kill cancer cells.

Leukaemia

A cancer of the blood or bone marrow that causes the body to make too many white blood cells. Leukaemia is called acute or chronic depending on how fast it develops and gets worse. Acute leukaemia can get worse very quickly. Chronic leukaemia tends to have a longer course. You may have it for months or years without having many symptoms. It may be stable for months or years before it gets worse.

Local recurrence rates

The proportion of people who have a local recurrence of cancer. That is, when cancer comes back at or near the same place as the original tumour, usually after a period of time during which the cancer could not be detected.

Local therapy

Using treatments such as radiotherapy and surgery which affect only a particular area of the body.

Localised cancer

A cancer that has not spread to other parts of the body.

Lumbar puncture

This is a puncture into the spinal cord to obtain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for clinical investigation, to remove excess fluid or to inject medication. It can be used to detect increased CSF pressure, which may indicate brain tumours.

Lumpectomy

The surgical removal of a lump (e.g. a breast lump).

Lymph

A clear, watery fluid that moves around the body through the lymphatic system. Lymph helps to support the body’s immune system.

Lymph Nodes

Located throughout the body, filtering out dangerous substances and producing infection-fighting cells called lymphocytes.

Lymphangiogram

CT and MRI have largely replaced this specialised x-ray of the lymph nodes, but it is still used to investigate for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma or Hodgkin’s disease. A dye is injected into the lymph vessels, usually through the skin of the feet. This travels through the lymphatic system and into the lymph nodes and will show up on x-ray. Any lymph nodes that contain cancer will show up as enlarged.

Lymphatic system

The interconnected system of lymph nodes and vessels (small tubes) which carries fluid around the body.

Lymphoedema

Swelling, usually in the arms or legs, which occurs because the lymph vessels are damaged or blocked. This can happen as a result of cancer or cancer treatment.

Lymphoid

Referring to a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes.

Malignant

A term used to describe a cancerous tumour. It can invade surrounding tissue and spread into other parts of the body.

Mammogram

A special x-ray of the breast; useful for detecting tumours too small to be felt. Women aged 50 – 64 are routinely invited to have a mammogram every 3 years by the NHS.

Management plan

A plan that outlines the care that the patient should receive.

Manifesting carrier

A female carrier of an x-linked condition who exhibits symptoms of the condition.

Mastectomy

The surgical removal of all or part of a breast.

Melanoma

Malignant cancers of the skin, spreading from a mole or mole-like area

Membrane

The thin layer between the inside and the outside of a cell or between two compartments of a cell.

Mesorectal fascia

The border or edge of the mesorectum

Mesorectum

A small parcel of fat around the rectum.

Metabolism

Physical and chemical processes occurring within a living cell or organism that are necessary for the maintenance of life.

Metastases

Where the cancer cells break away and spread to other organs within the body which can trigger new cancerous tumours.

Metastasis

The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another, usually through the lymphatic system or bloodstream.

Molecular

Refers to the basic building blocks of the genetic material, like DNA, genes and the other chemicals involved with the functioning of genes.

Molecular techniques

Refers to the treatment of injury or disease at the molecular level.

Molecule

A very small amount of matter. A chemical combination of two or more atoms.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Scan

Magnetic resonance imaging uses magnetism to build up a picture of the inside of the body instead of X-rays. The information from the scan is translated into a computer image and onto film to be studied by a specialist. It is often used for: Diagnosing tumours of the pituitary gland and brain. Evaluating bone tumours.

Multi-disciplinary Team (MDT)

Combination of clinical health professionals for example physicians, nurses, pharmacists and allied health professionals.

Multi-disciplinary team meeting (MDM)

Meeting of different health care disciplines (whether in person or via video/tele conferencing) to discuss patients diagnosis, treatment and care.

Muscle

An organ which produces movement by contraction.

Muscle cell

The basic unit of muscle fibre

Muscle fibre

Formed by the fusion of a group of muscle cells.

Muscular Dystrophy

The muscular dystrophies are a group of over 20 hereditary muscle disorders in which slow, progressive muscle wasting occurs, leading to increasing weakness and disability.

Mutation

Alteration of a gene which can be passed down through generations.

Myopathy

Muscle weakness.

Myoprotein

A protein obtained from muscle tissue.

Myositis

Inflammation of a muscle

Myotonia

Muscular condition resulting in muscles contracting and becoming slow to relax.

Nausea

The feeling of sickness.

Neo-adjuvant therapy

Treatment that is given first to help make the next treatment step go more smoothly. For example, chemotherapy is given to help shrink a tumour to make surgery easier.

Nerves

Bundles of axons which transmit signals around the body.

Neuron

Cells that produce signals in the form of electrical impulses.

NICE

National Institute for Clinical Excellence

Nodal harvest

In order to give accurate staging for colorectal cancers it is important to know if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. Nodal harvest refers to the number of lymph nodes that could be sampled to inform the staging of the disease.

Non-invasive ventilation

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) refers to the provision of ventilatory support through the

upper airway using a mask or similar device instead of a tracheal tube, laryngeal mask, tracheostomy and are therefore considered non-invasive.

 

Nutrition

Taking in and metabolism of nutrients by an organism so that life is maintained and growth can take place.

Obesity

To have too much body fat

Occupational Therapist (OT)

An allied health professional, who finds ways to help people cope with daily living and be independent, despite their illness.

Oesophageal stenting

A tube placed in the oesophagus to keep a blocked area open so the patient can swallow soft food and liquids.

Oesophagogastric junction

Where the oesophagus and stomach join.

Oesophagus

The tube that connects the throat to the stomach. Also known as the gullet.

Oligoastrocytomas

A group of brain tumours.

Oligodendrogliomas

A rare and slow growing tumour

Oncologist

Doctors who are cancer specialists.

Operational Protocols

Operational protocols are used by organisations to outline in detail how a task should be done. They ensure that everyone works in the same way and to the same standard.

Oral cancer

Includes cancers of the mouth, pharynx (throat) and lip.

Organ

A part of the body made up from tissues e.g. liver, pancreas, heart, and lung.

Organ system

A group of organs that work together on the same task. For example, the stomach, pancreas and colon are all part of the digestive system.

Orthoses

Devices or aids to prevent or assist movement in the spine or limbs.

Outcomes

The results of a procedure or treatment in terms of patient satisfaction, reduction of pain, improved function, longer life or better quality of life.

Palliative care

Palliaitive care is the active holistic care of patients towards the end of life when there are no curative treatments options. It focuses on controlling pain and other symptoms, and meeting a person's social, emotional and spiritual needs. The goal of palliative care is to ensure the best quality of life possible for patients and their families.

Pancreas

A long, irregularly shaped gland that sits behind the stomach. It is part of the digestive system and has 3 main functions: 1. It releases hormones into the blood that help to maintain the balance of salts and sugars in the body. 2. It releases chemicals that help to break down food in the gut. 3. It releases a chemical called sodium bicarbonate, which protects the lining of the gut from the acids made in the stomach.

Pathologist

A doctor who specializes in diagnosis and classification of diseases by laboratory tests such as examination of tissue and cells under a microscope.

Pathology

Study of the changes in tissues and organs of the body which cause disease.

Patient advocacy

Speaking on behalf of a patient in order to protect their rights and help them to get the information and services they need.

Peer Review

This involves professionals who work in the same field (e.g. cancer) coming from another area (e.g. England or Scotland) to look at how care is delivered to ensure that good standards of care are met.

Peri menopausal

The time of a woman's life when menstrual periods become irregular. Refers to the time just before menopause.

Peri operative treatment

Treatment given during the time a patient is in hospital for surgery.

PET (Positron Emission Tomography) Scan

Positron emission tomography is a new scan that can see how body tissues are working. It can be used at the time of diagnosis for staging cancer, or at the end of treatment, to show the difference between scar tissue and active cancer tissue. Sometimes CT scans will show that there are still signs of cancer, but this may be scar tissue left over from the tumour after treatment. A PET scan can show whether it is active cancer tissue or not. In lung cancer, PET scans are sometimes used to look for cancer in the lymph nodes in the centre of the chest, as this can decide whether or not a cancer is operable.

Pharynx

The throat.

Physiotherapist

An allied health professional who helps people to stay mobile and free of pain by teaching exercises, giving advice, and providing treatment.

Post operative

Period of time after surgery.

Pre menopausal

Having to do with the time before menopause. Menopause ("change of life") is the time of life when a woman's menstrual periods stop permanently.

Prenatal

Existing or occurring before birth.

Primary Cancer

The first malignant tumour to develop in a specific part of the body

Primary Care / Primary Health Care Teams

The Primary Health Care Team (PHCT) refers to groups of professionals delivering health services in the community at “primary” or first points of contact with the health service. Within your GP practice this includes: GPs; practice nurses; practice managers and administrative staff. It also includes community staff that are attached to the GP practice such as district nurses, health visitors, midwives, counsellors etc. It also includes pharmacists, dentists and opticians.

Proband

The individual in a family through which a genetic condition comes to light.

Procedure

A medical procedure is a course of action intended to achieve a result in the care of patients (i.e. to help diagnose, or to treat or relieve symptoms).

Prognosis

The medical term used by specialists to describe how your condition is likely to affect you in the future. A forecast as to the probable outcome of a disease.

Prognostic

A symptom or sign on which a prognosis may be based.

Prostate

A gland in the male reproductive system just below the bladder. The prostate surrounds part of the urethra, the canal that empties the bladder, and produces a fluid that forms part of semen.

Prostatectomy

An operation to remove part or all of the prostate. Radical (or total) prostatectomy is the removal of the entire prostate and some of the tissue around it.

Protein

Organic compound essential to the make up of all living cells, consisting of amino acids in various combinations.

Protocol

The term given to a cancer treatment plan specific to you.

PSA blood test

A blood test that measures levels of a protein called prostate specific antigen (PSA) that is made by the prostate gland; men with prostate problems usually have high levels of PSA.

Psychological distress

An unpleasant emotional experience of a psychological (cognitive, behavioral, emotional), social, and/or spiritual kind that may interfere with the ability to cope effectively with cancer, its physical symptoms and its treatment. Distress can range from common normal feelings of vulnerability, sadness, and fears to problems that can become disabling, such as depression, anxiety, panic, social isolation and spiritual crisis.

Quality Assurance

Actions taken to ensure that a product or service is of the type and quality needed and expected by the patient or profession.

Radical surgery

Surgery to remove all areas of disease to include areas of lymphatic drainage around the cancer. It may involve the total removal of an organ (e.g. bladder or kidney) or mass of tissue (e.g. the breast).

Radiographer

An allied health professional who takes x-rays and scans or gives radiotherapy.

Radiologist

A doctor who specialises in reading scans and x-rays.

Radiology

The use of radiation in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.

Radiotherapist

A doctor who specialises in the treatment of cancer with radiation.

Radiotherapy

Treatment of cancer using radiation to kill cancerous cells and reduce the tumour size.

Recessive

A recessive condition is not expressed unless the affecting gene is carried by each of the pair of a particular chromosome.

Rectosigmoid junction

The part of the intestine where the colon becomes the rectum.

Rectum

The final part of the intestines which ends at the anus.

Referral

This is the process where the GP arranges for further specialist assessment of your complaint.

Rehabilitation

Refers to the process for returning to a state of health and useful activity.

Renal

Of the kidneys.

Resected Specimen

The tissue removed from the body during an operation.

Resection

A procedure that uses surgery to remove tissue or part or all of an organ.

Sarcoma

Refers to a type of cancer that forms in the muscles or connective tissue such as bone, fat and cartilage

Scope

A medical scope allows the doctor or nurse to see body tissues inside the body. It is usually used to help diagnose a disease.

Secondaries

New tumours which are formed because cancer cells from the original tumour have broken off and moved to other parts of the body.

Secondary Growths

New tumours that have formed because cancer cells from the original tumour have been carried to other sites in the body via the blood or lymphatic system.

Sentinel node biopsy

The first node in a group of lymph nodes in a certain area of the body is removed and examined by a pathologist for cancer cells.

Sexual dysfunction

Decrease or loss of sexual desire or sexual response.

Sexual function

Ability to respond sexually and to feel sexual desire.

Social workers

Social service professionals who can help you get practical, emotional, and financial help.

Speech and language therapists

Allied health professionals who can help people with chewing and swallowing problems, as well as speech problems.

Sperm banking

The process by which human sperm is reserved and frozen for future use.

Staging

Assessment of a cancer to help plan treatment. The staging is based on four aspects: the size of the tumour; histological grade; whether it has spread to the lymph nodes; and whether it has spread to any other parts of the body.

Standardised

Brought into conformity so that a task is always done the same way.

Stem cells

Cells that have not yet developed into a particular function cell. They have the potential to become any type of cell.

Stent

A metal or plastic tube that is inserted into a passage (like a blood vessel) to keep it open.

Stereotactic radiotherapy

A type of radiation therapy in which a number of closely aimed beams of radiation coming from different directions meet at a specific point, delivering the radiation treatment to that spot.

Stoma

An artificial opening between an organ and the skin surface, formed by surgery. There are different types including a tracheostomy (formed from the windpipe), ileostomy (formed from the small bowel), colostomy (formed from the large bowel), and urostomy (formed from the bladder).

Stop Codon

A DNA code that stops protein production.

Supportive care

An ‘umbrella’ term for all services, both generalist and specialist, that may be needed to support people with life-threatening illness. It is based on an assumption that people have needs for supportive care from the time that the possibility of a life-threatening condition is raised.

Symptoms

A symptom is a departure from normal function or feeling which is noticed by a person which may indicate the presence of disease or heatlh abnormality. These are a person’s physical complaints that need to be assessed in order to exclude an underlying medical condition.

 

Systemic therapy

Treatment that uses substances that travel through the bloodstream, reaching and affecting cells all over the body. The two main types of systemic therapy are chemotherapy (which uses drugs) and hormone therapy (which uses hormones).

Talipes

A congenital deformity of the foot, which is twisted out of shape or position.

Telomere

A telomere is a microscopic structure found on the end of our chromosomes controlling the number of times a cell can divide and reinvigorate tissue. The telomeres get shorter each time a human cell duplicates and at a certain length the cell stops duplicating altogether. The telomere also prevents the chromosome joining up with any fragments after it has been broken.

Terminal care

Care of a person in the last days or weeks before they die. Terminal care puts the emphasis on making the person free of pain and as comfortable as possible.

Terminal illness

Active and progressive disease which cannot be cured. Curative treatment is no longer possible, but palliative care is.

Therapy

A word often used to mean treatment.

Thoracic

Referring to the chest area.

Thyroid cancer

Cancer of the thyroid gland, an organ at the base of the throat that makes hormones that help control heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and weight.

Tissue

A group of cells in an animal or plant with a similar structure and particular function.

TME or Total Mesorectal Excision

The removal of the mesorectum, which is a parcel of fat around the rectum. The mesorectum contains blood vessels and lymph glands into which the tumour may spread. The aim of TME is to reduce the risk of the tumour regrowing in the pelvis

Trial

A trial or study is designed to find answers to specific questions about specific diseases.

Triple Assessment

Patients with suspected breast cancer are often sent to triple assessment clinics. The triple assessment involves: 1. breast examination 2. mammogram or ultrasound scan of the breast 3. core biopsy and/or fine needle aspiration of the lump

Tumour

Abnormal swelling or lump. While it can be benign or malignant, the word tumour is often used to mean cancer.

Tumour free excision margins

The area or margin around the wound or excision that is free of cancer cells once a tumour has been cut out.

Tumour marker

A chemical in the blood which may indicate that the patient may have cancer.

Ultrasound Scan

Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves and their echoes to visualise things that are unseen. It is used for: Providing an early diagnosis of prostate cancer. Some ultrasound machines can provide three-dimensional images that can be used to visualise tiny structures and tumours.

Upper Gastrointestinal Cancers

Refers to cancers of the oesophagus (throat), stomach, duodenum (small bowel) liver, pancreas and bile duct.

Uterus

Another word for womb. Part of the female reproductive system.

Viruses

Small particles which can only reproduce inside living cells. They can spread between people through air, blood or on occasions through sexual intercourse.

Voiding difficulties

Problems emptying the bladder or bowel.

X Chromosome

A chromosome involved in determining an animal's sex. Females have two x chromosomes, whereas males have one x chromosome and one y chromosome.

X Linked

A gene carried on the x chromosome. The corresponding trait or condition, whether dominant or recessive, is always expressed in males. Females with a faulty gene are usually not affected by it as they have a second normal copy of the gene - they will however be a carrier of the trait or condition.

Y Chromosome

A chromosome involved in determining an animal's sex. Y chromosomes occur only in males. Males have one x chromosome and one y chromosome whereas females have two x chromosomes.