| tumor | 1. <oncology> An abnormal mass of tissue that results from excessive cell division that is uncontrolled and progressive, also called a neoplasm. Tumours perform no useful body function. They may be either benign (not cancerous) or malignant. 2. Swelling, one of the cardinal signs of inflammations, morbid enlargement. Origin: L. Tumere = to swell (12 May 1997) |
|---|---|
| tumor marker | <investigation, oncology> A substance in the body that usually indicates the presence of cancer. These markers are usually specific to certain types of cancer and are usually found in the blood or other tissue samples. Examples are alphafetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). They may be indicators of tumour stage and grade as well as useful for monitoring responses to treatment and predicting recurrence. Many chemical groups are represented including hormones, antigens, amino and nucleic acids, enzymes, polyamines, and specific cell membrane proteins and lipids. (18 Jul 2002) |
| tumor necrosis factor | <cytokine> Originally described as a tumour inhibiting factor in the blood of animals exposed to bacterial lipopolysaccharide or Bacille Calmette-Guerin. Preferentially kills tumour cells in vivo and in vitro, causes necrosis of certain transplanted tumours in mice and inhibits experimental metastases. Human Tumour Necrosis factor alpha is a protein of 157 amino acids and has a wide range of pro inflammatory actions. Usually considered a cytokine. Synonym: cachectin. Acronym: TNF (13 Nov 1997) |
| Rathke, Martin | <person> German anatomist, physiologist, and pathologist, 1793-1860. See: Rathke's bundles, Rathke's cleft cyst, Rathke's diverticulum, Rathke's pocket, Rathke's pouch, Rathke's pouch tumour. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Rathke, Martin Heinrich | <person> Was a Physiologist and Pathologist. Appointed Professor at Dorpat and later at Konigsberg, where he was Professor of Zoology and Anatomy. Rathke's Pouch, Pocket - a depression in the roof of the embryonic mouth in front of the bucco-pharyngeal membrane. Lived: 1793-1860. B. Danzig, Aug 25th, 1793, d. Konigsberg, Sep 3rd, 1860. (05 Dec 1998) |
| Rathke's bundles | Muscular bundles on the lining walls of the ventricles of the heart. Synonym: columnae carneae, Rathke's bundles. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Rathke's cleft cyst | An intrasellar or suprasellar cyst lined by cuboidal epithelium derived from remnants of Rathke's pouch. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Rathke's diverticulum | A tubular outgrowth of ectoderm from the stomodeum of the embryo; it grows dorsad toward the infundibular process of the diencephalon, around which it forms a cup-like mass, giving rise to the pars distalis and pars juxtaneuralis of the hypophysis. Synonym: craniopharyngeal canal, hypophyseal pouch, Rathke's diverticulum, Rathke's pocket, Rathke's pouch. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Rathke's pouch | A tubular outgrowth of ectoderm from the stomodeum of the embryo; it grows dorsad toward the infundibular process of the diencephalon, around which it forms a cup-like mass, giving rise to the pars distalis and pars juxtaneuralis of the hypophysis. Synonym: craniopharyngeal canal, hypophyseal pouch, Rathke's diverticulum, Rathke's pocket, Rathke's pouch. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Rathke's pouch tumour | <oncology, tumour> A form of primary brain tumour which develops in the pituitary gland. These tumours often secrete increased quantities of pituitary hormones (for example growth hormone) which can result in conditions such as gigantism and acromegaly. They are often benign and rare and comprise less than 5% of childhood brain tumours. Other symptoms include vision changes, headache and weight gain. Treatment often includes a combination of surgery and radiation therapy. (27 Sep 1997) |