Cancer Unit Terminology

A __________ tumor is non-cancerous and does not invade nearby tissues or spread to other parts of the body.

benign

A __________ is a medical procedure that involves removing a small sample of tissue for examination for cancer cells.

biopsy

A __________ is an imaging test used to detect bone abnormalities and check for cancer spread to bones.

bone scan

A __________ is a substance that can cause cancer, such as tobacco smoke or radiation.

carcinogen

A __________ is a type of cancer that begins in the skin or tissues lining organs.

carcinoma

The term __________ refers to cancer that has not spread beyond where it started.

in situ

A __________ scan (CT) is a detailed imaging technique using X-rays to create cross-sectional images of the body.

CAT

____________ is the use of drugs to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells.

Chemotherapy

A __________ trial is a research study that tests new treatments or drugs on patients to determine effectiveness and safety.

clinical

____________ is the delivery of medication or fluids directly into the bloodstream, often used for chemotherapy.

Infusion

____________ is a type of cancer affecting blood-forming tissues, leading to abnormal white blood cell production.

Leukemia

____________ is a cancer of the lymphatic system, including Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Lymphoma

A __________ tumor can invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body.

malignant

A __________ is an X-ray of the breast used to detect early signs of breast cancer.

mammogram

____________ is a deadly form of skin cancer that develops in melanocytes, the cells that produce pigment.

Melanoma

The process by which cancer cells __________ from their original site to other parts of the body is called metastasize.

spread

____________ is a technique that uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the body.

MRI

A __________ is an abnormal growth of tissue, which can be benign or malignant.

neoplasm

The __________ is the original tumor where cancer begins before spreading.

primary tumor

____________ is a cancer treatment that uses high-energy particles or waves to destroy cancer cells.

Radiation

A __________ is a rare type of cancer that develops in bones and soft tissues like fat and muscle.

sarcoma

____________ is a system used to describe how much cancer is in the body and how far it has spread.

Staging

____________ is the process of programmed cell death that helps regulate cell growth and prevent cancer.

Apoptosis

An __________ is a mutated gene that causes uncontrolled cell growth, leading to cancer.

oncogene

____________ stands for Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism, a DNA analysis technique used in cancer studies.

RFLP

A __________ is a repeating sequence of DNA used in genetic testing and forensic identification.

short tandem repeat

A __________ is a normal gene that helps cells grow but can become an oncogene if mutated.

proto-oncogene

A __________ is a gene that regulates cell division and prevents cancer; when mutated, cancer can develop.

tumor suppressor gene

A __________ is involved in fixing DNA damage; defects in these genes can lead to cancer.

DNA repair gene

The __________ is the spread of cancer cells into surrounding normal tissue.

invasion

____________ refers to abnormal cell growth that can be a precancerous condition.

Dysplasia

____________ is an increase in cell production that may lead to cancer but can also be a normal response.

Hyperplasia

The __________ is the process by which cells grow, divide, and replicate; cancer can disrupt this cycle.

cell cycle

____________ is a surgical procedure where tissue is scraped from an area, often used to remove abnormal cells.

Curettage

____________ uses extreme cold to destroy abnormal or cancerous cells.

Cryosurgery

An __________ is a common imaging technique used to detect abnormalities, including cancer.

X-ray

____________ is a cancer treatment that specifically targets cancer cells while sparing normal cells.

Target therapy

____________ is the process by which genes are turned on or off, influencing cell behavior.

Gene expression

A __________ is a technology used to study gene expression patterns in diseases like cancer.

microarray

____________ is the study of an organism’s entire set of genes and their interactions.

Genomics

____________ is the study of proteins in cells, crucial for understanding cancer development.

Proteomics

____________ is the predicted outcome or course of a disease, including chances of recovery.

Prognosis

A __________ is a biological molecule found in blood or tissue that indicates normal or abnormal processes, like cancer.

marker

An __________ is a variant form of a gene that can affect traits and disease risk.

allele

____________ are genes that, when mutated, increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

BRCA

The __________ is a tumor suppressor gene that regulates cell division; mutations in it are linked to many cancers.

P53

The __________ gene on the Y chromosome is responsible for male development.

SRY

____________ is a condition that runs in families due to inherited genetic mutations.

Familial

____________ describes a genetic trait or disease passed from parents to offspring.

Hereditary

____________ refers to a disease that occurs by chance without a clear genetic or familial link.

Sporadic

____________ factors, such as smoking or diet, influence cancer risk.

Behavioral

____________ factors like genetics and hormones affect cancer development.

Biological

____________ factors, such as pollution or radiation, contribute to cancer risk.

Environmental

____________ are tests used to detect cancer early, like mammograms and colonoscopies.

Screening

The __________ is the process of identifying a disease through tests and examinations.

Diagnosis

A __________ is a procedure using a camera to examine the colon for signs of cancer.

colonoscopy

The __________ blood test is used to screen for prostate cancer.

PSA

A __________ is a screening test for cervical cancer that detects abnormal cells.

Pap smear

5-____________ is a chemotherapy drug used to treat various cancers.

fluorouracil

____________ is a precancerous skin condition caused by sun damage.

Actinic keratosis

A __________ is an atypical mole that may develop into melanoma.

dysplastic nevus

____________ refers to internal (genetic) and external (environmental) factors influencing cancer development.

Intrinsic and extrinsic factors

____________ care focuses on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life rather than curing disease.

Palliative

____________ refers to nerve damage, often a side effect of chemotherapy, causing pain or numbness.

Neuropathy

____________ medicine is a medical approach that tailors treatment based on an individual's genetic makeup.

Precision

____________ is a cancer treatment that boosts the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells.

Immunotherapy

____________ is the study of how a person's genes affect their response to drugs, including cancer treatments.

Pharmacogenetics