Palliative Care

Vocabulary flashcards covering cancer classifications, tissue of origin, carcinogens, lifestyle factors, immune surveillance, and prevention levels from the lecture notes.

Adenocarcinoma

A type of carcinoma originating from glandular epithelium in organs or glands capable of secretion, such as the breast, lung, or prostate.

Squamous cell carcinoma

A carcinoma arising from squamous epithelium that covers or lines external and internal body surfaces, such as the skin, lung, and esophagus.

Osteosarcoma

A connective tissue cancer originating in bone, representing the most common form of bone cancer.

Chondrosarcoma

A rare sarcoma arising from cartilage within bones, such as the femur or pelvis.

Liposarcoma

A sarcoma that arises from deep soft adipose tissue, such as in the retroperitoneum or thigh.

Leiomyosarcoma

A very rare sarcoma arising from smooth muscle tissue, such as in the uterus, intestines, or stomach.

Rhabdomyosarcoma

A sarcoma of skeletal muscle tissue that is most common in young children.

Fibrosarcoma

A sarcoma originating in fibrous tissue that often involves long or flat bones.

Mesothelial sarcoma (Mesothelioma)

A sarcoma of the membranes lining body cavities (such as the pleura or peritoneum) that is most often related to asbestos exposure.

Angiosarcoma

A sarcoma originating in blood vessels; with liver involvement, it may be related to occupational exposure to vinyl chloride monomer.

Erythremia

A type of leukemia involving the overproduction of red blood cells (RBCs), associated with increased levels of WBCs and platelets.

Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS)

Secondhand smoke that increases lung cancer risk in exposed nonsmokers by about 20% to 30%.

Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS)

Non-tobacco devices (e-cigarettes, e-pens, e-pipes, e-hookah, e-cigars) that contain nicotine and other harmful substances such as volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, and flavoring chemicals.

First-degree relatives

An individual's parent, sibling, or child; having two or more first-degree relatives with cancer is a hallmark of hereditary cancer syndromes.

Immune surveillance

The process by which surveillance cells of the immune system recognize and destroy transformed cells before uncontrolled tumor growth occurs.

Tumor-associated antigens (TAAs)

Antigens on the membranes of cancer cells that are processed by antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and presented to T lymphocytes.

Primary prevention of cancer

Reducing disease risk through health promotion and risk reduction strategies, such as physical activity, proper diet, and immunizations (e.g., HPV and HBV vaccines).

Secondary prevention of cancer

Screening and early detection activities that aim to identify precancerous lesions and early-stage cancer in individuals without symptoms.

Tertiary prevention of cancer

Monitoring for and preventing recurrence of the primary cancer as well as screening for second malignancies in cancer survivors.