Introductory Oncology Lecture Notes

120 vocabulary flashcards summarizing key oncology terms, disease types, risk factors, symptoms, diagnostic tools, and treatments highlighted in the lecture transcript.

Cancer

A group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cellular growth and division that can invade and damage organs.

Metastasis

The spread of cancer cells to distant organs through the lymphatic system, creating new tumor sites.

Tumor

A mass formed by rapid cellular growth; may be benign or malignant.

Benign tumor

A non-cancerous mass that does not invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant sites.

Malignant tumor

A cancerous growth that can invade nearby tissue and metastasize to other organs.

Lymphatic system

Body system that transports lymph and provides a pathway for cancer cells to spread.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy

Procedure that removes the first lymph node in a chain to check for cancer spread.

Lung cancer

Malignant tumors that begin in lung tissue; leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide.

Small cell lung cancer

The more aggressive, fast-growing form of lung cancer involving small cells.

Non-small cell lung cancer

Larger-cell lung cancers that grow more slowly and are the most common type.

Adenocarcinoma (lung)

Most common non-small cell lung tumor that usually starts in the outer lung regions.

Squamous cell carcinoma (lung)

Non-small cell tumor that begins in the bronchial tubes and often causes early symptoms.

Large cell carcinoma (lung)

Rapid-growing non-small cell cancer that tends to cause late symptoms.

Oat cell carcinoma

Another name for small cell lung cancer due to the cells’ oat-like appearance.

Cancer staging

Process of determining how far a cancer has progressed, typically numbered 0–4.

Stage 0 cancer

Earliest stage in which cancer is localized and has not spread.

Stage 4 cancer

Most advanced stage where cancer has spread to distant organs.

Risk factor

Any characteristic or exposure that increases the likelihood of developing cancer.

Cigarette smoking

Primary risk factor linked to about 80% of lung cancer cases.

Second-hand smoke

Inhaled smoke from others that can cause lung cancer in nonsmokers.

Radon exposure

Environmental inhalation of radioactive gas linked to lung cancer risk.

Asbestos

Industrial fiber associated with mesothelioma and other lung cancers.

Mesothelioma

Cancer often related to asbestos exposure, usually arising in lung linings.

Occupational exposure

Contact with workplace chemicals or fibers that elevates cancer risk.

Environmental pollutant

External agents (e.g., fumes, fibers) that irritate lungs and raise cancer risk.

Lung irritant

Any foreign substance (smoke, vapors, particles) that damages lung tissue.

Genetic predisposition

Inherited tendency that makes certain individuals more prone to cancer.

Family history

Presence of cancer in close relatives, prompting earlier screening.

Age (cancer risk)

Increasing years of life that correlate with higher cancer incidence.

Gender difference (lung cancer)

Higher lung-cancer rates historically observed in men due to more smoking.

Unexplained weight loss

Hallmark sign of many cancers when pounds drop without dieting.

Nagging cough

Persistent, often dry cough that may signal early lung cancer.

Hemoptysis

Coughing up blood, a possible symptom of lung malignancy.

Shortness of breath

Difficulty breathing often seen in patients with lung tumors.

Hoarseness

Voice changes due to irritation or tumor involvement in airway structures.

Wheezing

High-pitched breath sound that can accompany obstructive lung lesions.

Chest pain

Central thoracic discomfort frequently caused by repeated coughing or tumor invasion.

Bone pain

A late symptom of cancer spread to skeletal sites.

Back pain

Pain that may indicate metastatic disease to spine or ribs.

Hilar lymph node swelling

Enlargement of lung-region nodes suggestive of spread.

Brain metastasis

Secondary tumor growth in the brain originating from another cancer.

Jaundice

Yellowing skin/eyes often due to liver invasion by metastatic cells.

Cachexia

Severe weight and muscle loss that accompanies advanced cancer.

Chemotherapy

Drug treatment that kills rapidly dividing cancer cells but also harms healthy cells.

Targeted therapy

Cancer treatment designed to attack specific tumor features while sparing normal tissue.

Immunotherapy

Approach that boosts the immune system’s ability to destroy cancer cells.

Radiation therapy

Use of high-energy rays to shrink or eradicate tumors.

Lobectomy

Surgical removal of a lung lobe to excise localized cancer.

Oral mucositis

Painful mouth sores caused by chemotherapy damaging mucous membranes.

Hair loss (alopecia)

Common chemotherapy side effect due to destruction of fast-growing hair cells.

Nail changes

Alterations or brittleness in nails resulting from certain chemotherapies.

Healthy cells

Normal body cells that can be unintentionally harmed by cancer treatments.

Colon cancer

Malignancy of the longest part of the large intestine, often starting from polyps.

Colonoscopy

Endoscopic exam of the colon used to view and remove polyps directly.

Colon polyp

Growth on colon lining that may become cancerous if not removed.

Precancerous polyp

Colon growth showing early abnormal cells that can progress to cancer.

Cologuard

Stool-based test that detects blood or abnormal cells but cannot visualize polyps.

Tenesmus

Urgent feeling of needing to pass stool even when rectum is empty.

Change in bowel habits

Altered frequency or consistency of stool, a warning sign for colorectal cancer.

Rectal bleeding

Blood in stool or from rectum indicative of possible colon cancer.

Iron-deficiency anemia

Low hemoglobin often from slow gastrointestinal bleeding due to tumors.

Fatigue

Persistent tiredness frequently reported by cancer patients.

Abdominal pain

Discomfort that can accompany tumors or obstruction in the colon.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Chronic gut inflammation that raises colon-cancer risk over time.

Physical inactivity

Sedentary lifestyle factor linked to higher colon cancer incidence.

Diet high in red meat

Nutritional pattern associated with elevated colorectal cancer risk.

Processed food

Low-cost, additive-rich products tied to multiple health problems including cancer.

Obesity

Excess body weight connected to many cancers, notably colorectal.

Alcohol as irritant

Beverage that can chronically inflame gastrointestinal lining, promoting cancer.

Smoking (colon cancer risk)

Tobacco use that also contributes to colorectal malignancy development.

Early detection

Identification of cancer at an initial stage, improving treatment success.

Late-stage cancer

Disease that has progressed or spread, harder to treat and deadlier.

Treatment goal

Plan aiming to remove tumors, prevent spread, and restore function.

Polyps removal

Endoscopic excision of growths to prevent colon cancer.

Surgical resection

Operation cutting out cancerous tissue or organ segments.

Metastatic disease

Cancer that has spread beyond its original site to other organs.

Brain cancer

Malignant tumor arising in or spreading to brain tissue.

Primary brain tumor

Cancer that originates in brain cells themselves.

Secondary brain tumor

Metastatic lesion in the brain from cancer elsewhere.

Glioma

Brain tumor formed from supportive glial cells.

Glioblastoma

Highly aggressive form of glioma with poor prognosis.

Meningioma

Tumor of the membranes covering brain and spinal cord; often benign.

Medulloblastoma

Childhood brain tumor arising in the cerebellum.

Pituitary tumor

Growth in the hormone-producing pituitary gland, usually benign.

Schwannoma

Rare nerve-sheath tumor mentioned as a possible primary brain lesion.

Memory dysfunction

Difficulty recalling information, possible brain-tumor symptom.

Communication difficulty

Problems speaking or understanding language due to cerebral involvement.

Hearing abnormality

Changes such as ringing or loss that may accompany brain tumors.

Tinnitus

Persistent ear ringing sometimes reported with brain cancer.

Balance problems

Unsteadiness or coordination issues related to cerebellar tumors.

Drowsiness

Increasing sleepiness that can indicate rising intracranial pressure.

Personality changes

Altered behavior or mood linked to frontal-lobe tumor growth.

Seizure

Sudden uncontrolled electrical brain activity; may reveal metastatic spread.

Leukemia

Cancer of blood-forming tissues marked by overproduction of white cells.

Bone marrow

Spongy tissue inside bones that manufactures blood cells.

Blast cells

Immature white blood cells produced in excess in leukemia.

Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)

Rapid-onset leukemia most common in children.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)

Fast-growing leukemia seen more often in older adults.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)

Slow-growing leukemia typically affecting adults after middle age.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)

Leukemia occurring during or after middle age with gradual onset.