Medical Vocabulary: Cancer and Stem Cells

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering medical terminology and definitions for introductory oncology, breast cancer, lung cancer, and stem cell biology based on the lecture transcript.

What is cancer?

A disease in which abnormal cells divide uncontrollably and can spread to other parts of the body.

What does the term malignant mean?

Tending to invade normal tissue or spread to other parts of the body; cancerous.

What is a tumor?

An abnormal mass of tissue resulting from excessive cell division.

What is a neoplasm?

A new and abnormal growth of tissue; a tumor.

How is a benign tumor defined?

Not harmful or cancerous; does not invade nearby tissue or spread.

What is cancer invasion?

The spread of cancer cells into surrounding tissues.

What is metastasis (spread)?

Movement of cancer cells from one part of the body to another.

What is ionizing radiation and its effect on DNA?

Energy released as particles or waves; ionizing radiation can damage DNA and cause cancer.

What is a genetic mutation?

A change in DNA sequence that can lead to abnormal cell growth.

What is disease screening?

Testing for disease in people without symptoms.

What is a biopsy?

The removal and examination of tissue to diagnose disease.

What is chemotherapy?

The use of drugs to destroy cancer cells.

What is targeted therapy?

Cancer treatment that targets specific molecules involved in cancer growth.

What is palliative care?

Medical care focused on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life in serious illness.

What is skin dimpling in the context of breast cancer?

Small indentations or puckering of the skin, often seen in breast cancer.

What are breast lobules?

Small glandular structures in the breast that produce milk.

What is a milk duct?

Small tube that carries milk from lobules to the nipple.

What is a carcinoma?

A cancer that starts in epithelial cells, such as ducts or lobules.

What is ductal carcinoma?

A breast cancer that begins in the lining of the milk ducts.

What is lobular carcinoma?

A breast cancer that begins in the lobules of the breast.

What is hormone replacement therapy (HRT)?

Treatment with hormones to relieve menopausal symptoms.

What is primary lung cancer?

Cancer that originates in the lung.

What is Small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC)?

A fast-growing type of lung cancer.

What is Non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC)?

A group of lung cancers that are slower-growing than small-cell type.

What is radon gas?

A radioactive gas that increases the risk of lung cancer.

What is asbestos?

A heat-resistant mineral linked to lung disease and cancer.

What is computed tomography (CT scan)?

An imaging technique that uses X-rays to create detailed pictures of the body.

What is bronchoscopy?

A procedure using a thin tube to look inside the airways and collect tissue.

What is a stem cell?

An undifferentiated biological cell that can develop into specialized cells and divide to produce more stem cells.

What does undifferentiated mean?

Not specialized or not yet developed into a specific type.

What is a progenitor cell?

A biological cell that can differentiate into a specific type of cell but has limited ability to divide.

What is a blastocyst?

An early-stage embryo consisting of a hollow ball of cells.

What is apheresis?

A medical procedure in which blood is drawn, components are separated, and the rest is returned.

What does autologous mean?

Originating from the same individual.

What is dedifferentiation?

The process by which cells revert to a more primitive, less specialized form.

What is the ectoderm?

The outermost layer of cells in the embryo, which develops into skin and nervous system.

What is the endoderm?

The innermost layer of cells in the embryo, which develops into digestive and respiratory tracts.

What is the mesoderm?

The middle embryonic layer that forms muscles, bones, and blood vessels.

What is the iliac crest?

The curved upper border of the ilium (hip bone).

What is somatic-cell nuclear transfer?

A cloning technique where the nucleus of a somatic cell is transferred to an egg cell.