Oncology and Cancer Treatment Flashcards

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering biopsy methods, surgical and radiation treatments, chemotherapy, patterns of cancer spread, and clinical trial structures.

Biopsy

An essential procedure for appropriate treatment management that determines histology and tumor characteristics and guides treatment planning.

Core-Needle Biopsy

A biopsy method using a large-gauge needle ($14$ or $16$ gauge) to collect a tissue core while preserving tumor architecture for better identification of tissue origin.

Fine-Needle Aspiration (FNA)

A technique using a thin needle to collect cells from a mass (e.g., breast or superficial lesion) for microscopic examination, offering quick results and minimal discomfort but without preserving tumor architecture.

Image-Guided Biopsy

A biopsy used for difficult-to-access areas like the lungs, kidneys, liver, or lymph nodes using ultrasound, CT, MRI, or interventional radiology to ensure accurate needle placement.

Endoscopic Biopsy

Tissue collected during procedures such as bronchoscopy or colonoscopy using a flexible biopsy tool equipped with tiny pincers.

Incisional Biopsy

A procedure where a sample of a tumor is removed without removing the entire tumor, often used for larger or locally advanced tumors.

Excisional Biopsy

The removal of an entire tumor along with possible local spread and normal surrounding tissue en bloc with safe margins (e.g., for malignant melanoma).

Neoadjuvant Therapy

Treatment given before surgery, such as radiation or chemotherapy, to destroy microscopic disease or shrink the tumor to increase the likelihood of complete resection.

Palliative Surgery

Surgery intended to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life, such as removing a bowel obstruction or cutting nerves to eliminate pain, rather than being curative.

Adjuvant Therapy

A treatment modality used "in addition to" the primary treatment to enhance effectiveness.

Sentinel Node Biopsy

A procedure that reduces the extent of axillary dissection, lowering the risk of range-of-motion deficits and lymphedema.

Brachytherapy

Short-distance therapy using radioactive materials (such as $Cs-137$, $Ir-192$, $Pd-103$, $Cs-131$, or $I-125$) placed inside or near the tumor to deliver a high dose while sparing normal tissue.

Interstitial Brachytherapy

A technique where radioactive sources are placed directly into the tumor, commonly used for prostate, head/neck, and breast cancers.

Intracavitary Brachytherapy

A technique where radioactive sources are placed in a body cavity, such as for cervical or endometrial cancers.

Intraluminal Brachytherapy

A technique where radioactive sources are placed in a lumen, such as the esophagus or bronchus.

Plaque Therapy

A brachytherapy technique where small pellets are placed for the treatment of eye tumors.

Chemotherapy

A systemic treatment using cytotoxic drugs and hormones to kill cancer cells in both the primary tumor and circulating cells.

Systemic Radiation Therapy

The use of radiopharmaceuticals (radioactive drugs) administered orally or intravenously.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors

Targeted cancer therapies used for multiple myeloma that stop the growth of blood vessels.

Apoptosis Inducers

Targeted therapies, such as BCL-2 used in Leukemia, that trigger programmed cell death.

Radiosensitizers

Drugs, such as Doxorubicin, that increase the toxicity of radiation therapy to improve tumor response.

Radioprotectors

Agents, such as Amifostine, used to minimize the toxicity of radiation treatment on normal tissues.

Vesicant Drugs

Highly toxic chemotherapy agents that can cause blistering, ulceration, and significant tissue damage if they leak from the IV line.

Exophytic Tumors

Tumors that grow outward and delay involvement of blood and lymphatic vessels, generally resulting in a better prognosis.

Invasive (Ulcerative) Tumors

Tumors that invade underlying tissues early and spread quickly via blood and lymph, typically resulting in a worse prognosis.

Hematogenous Spread

The spread of cancer cells through the blood to distant metastatic sites.

Regional Spread

The spread of cancer cells through the lymphatics to nearby lymph nodes.

Seeding

A pattern of spread where tumor cells shed into body cavities and implant on new surfaces, such as ovarian cancer in the peritoneal cavity or medulloblastoma in the spinal canal via CSF.

Extension

The invasion of a tumor beyond its original organ into nearby tissues or organs, which indicates a poorer prognosis.

Retrospective Study

A clinical trial that looks back at past treatments; it is faster to complete but data may be incomplete or biased.

Prospective Study

A planned clinical trial initiated before treatment begins; it is more accurate and controlled but often takes $5$ or more years to complete.

Phase I Clinical Trial

A study phase focused on determining the maximum tolerated dose and assessing toxicity.

Phase II Clinical Trial

A study phase used to test the effectiveness of the dose determined in Phase I.

Phase III Clinical Trial

A randomized study that compares a new treatment against the standard treatment.

Phase IV Clinical Trial

The phase of clinical trials focused on long-term monitoring after FDA approval.

Absolute Survival

A method of survival reporting where all deaths are counted regardless of the cause.

Adjusted Survival

A reporting method that excludes deaths from causes unrelated to the primary cancer.

Relative Survival

A survival reporting method that compares the patient group with the normal mortality of the same demographic.

NED

An acronym for "No Evidence of Disease" at the treatment or study endpoint.

Simulation

A key part of radiation planning where the patient is scanned in the treatment position (CT-based) and immobilization devices are created.

ARRT

The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, which provides certification and registration for radiation therapists.

ASRT

The American Society of Radiologic Technologists, a professional society that provides journals, continuing education, and advocacy for medical imaging and radiation therapy.