Caring for the Client With Cancer

Abdominal Perineal Resection

Abdominal surgery one on the large intestine, primarily to remove cancerous tumors.

Benign

Noncancerous.

Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH)

Tumor of the prostate gland, which can cause urinary problems.

Biopsy

Surgical technique in which a sample of tissue is removed from an area where cellular change is suspected and examined under the microscope.

Cachexia

Wasting away of the body due to malnutrition; often seen in cancer clients.

Cancer

A disease characterized by rapid growth of abnormal cells that form a tumor; it often spreads to other sites.

Carcinogen

A substance or agent that produces cancer; may be related to environment or heredity.

Chemotherapy

A treatment for cancer in which chemicals are used to destroy or slow the growth of cancerous cells.

Colonoscopy

Diagnostic examination of the entire colon by use of a scope.

Encapsulated

Enclosed within a capsule.

Hysterectomy

A major surgical procedure in which the uterus is removed.

Laryngectomy

The surgical removal of the larynx (voice box) because of disease. Laryngectomy clients can be taught to speak through an artificial airway by gulping air through the external stoma into the esophagus.

Larnyx

The voice box.

Lobectomy

Partial removal of a lung.

Lumpectomy

Surgical excision of a tumor from the breast with the removal of a minimal amount of surrounding tissue.

Malignant

Cancerous growths.

Mammogram

X-rays of the female breasts used to determine if a tumor is present in the breasts.

Mastectomy

A surgical removal of the female breast(s); may be total or partial.

Melanoma

Malignant type of skin cancer.

Metastasis

Spreading of cancer cells away from the primary site of the cancer tumor.

Panhysterectomy

Surgical removal of the uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, and ovaries.

Pneumonectomy

Removal of the entire lung.

Prostate-specific Antigen (PSA)

Blood test to detect cancer of the prostate gland.

Prosthesis

Artificial replacement for a body part.

Remission

A period in an illness when the symptoms cease or become less severe.

Sigmoidoscopy

Direct examination of the interior of the sigmoid colon.

Stoma

The surgically formed opening between a body cavity or passage and the body's surface.

Trachea

The main tube running from the throat to the lungs to bring air in and out of the body; the windpipe.

Tracheostomy

A surgical procedure to create an opening in the trachea; an emergency operation in cases where the trachea is obstructed and the person cannot breathe.

Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)

Surgery done to reduce the size of the prostate gland.