| 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) |
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| 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) |
| carcinoid | <oncology, tumour> Intestinal tumour arising from specialised cells with paracrine functions (APUD cells). The primary tumour is commonly in the appendix, where it is clinically benign, hepatic secondaries may release large amounts of vasoactive amines such as serotonin to the systemic circulation. Synonym: argentaffinoma. (19 Jan 1998) |
| carcinoid flush | Periodic hyperaemia (flushing) of the skin of the face and other parts of the body seen in patients with a carcinoid tumour; the mediator has not been identified but it is not serotonin; flush can be precipitated by alcohol, food, stress, or palpation of the liver. (05 Mar 2000) |
| carcinoid heart disease | Cardiac manifestation of malignant carcinoid syndrome. It is a unique form of fibrosis involving the endocardium, primarily of the right heart. The fibrous deposits tend to cause constriction of the tricuspid and pulmonary valves. (12 Dec 1998) |
| carcinoid syndrome | <oncology, syndrome> A constellation of symptoms associated with a serotonin-secreting neoplasm known as carcinoid tumour. These tumours may grow anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract (and in the lungs) with approximately 90% in the appendix. The remainder occur in the ileum, stomach, colon or rectum. Symptoms include flushing, rapid pulse, facial swelling, swelling around the eyes, low blood pressure, abdominal pain, weight loss and diarrhoea. (19 Jan 1998) |
| carcinoid tumour | A tumour which secretes excessive amounts of the hormone serotonin. The clinical result is carcinoid syndrome. These tumours may grow anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract (and in the lungs) with approximately 90% in the appendix. The remainder occur in the ileum, stomach, colon or rectum. (27 Sep 1997) |
| malignant carcinoid syndrome | <syndrome> A symptom complex associated with carcinoid tumour and characterised by attacks of severe flushing of the skin, diarrhoeal watery stools, bronchoconstriction, sudden drops in blood pressure, oedema, and ascites. The carcinoid tumours are usually located in the gastrointestinal tract and metastasize to the liver. Symptoms are caused by tumour secretion of serotonin, prostaglandins, and other biologically active substances. Cardiac manifestations constitute carcinoid heart disease. (12 Dec 1998) |
| metastatic carcinoid syndrome | <oncology, syndrome> A constellation of symptoms associated with a serotonin-secreting neoplasm known as carcinoid tumour. These tumours may grow anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract (and in the lungs) with approximately 90% in the appendix. The remainder occur in the ileum, stomach, colon or rectum. Symptoms include flushing, rapid pulse, facial swelling, swelling around the eyes, low blood pressure, abdominal pain, weight loss and diarrhoea. (19 Jan 1998) |