| 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) |
| accessory breast | A milk-secreting gland located elsewhere than at the normal place on the chest and existing in addition to the two usual mammae. Synonym: mamma accessoria, accessory breast, supernumerary mamma. (05 Mar 2000) |
| bed of breast | Structures against which the posterior surface of the breast lies; includes mainly the pectoralis major muscle, but also some serratus anterior and external abdominal oblique muscle; extends from second to sixth rib, and from parasternal to anterior axillary lines. (05 Mar 2000) |
| BRCA1 breast cancer susceptibility gene | This mutated (changed) version of the BRCA1 gene makes a person susceptible to developing breast cancer. (12 Dec 1998) |
| breast | To meet, with the breast; to struggle with or oppose manfully; as, to breast the storm or waves. "The court breasted the popular current by sustaining the demurrer." (Wirt) To breast up a hedge, to cut the face of it on one side so as to lay bare the principal upright stems of the plants. Origin: Breasted; Breasted. 1. The fore part of the body, between the neck and the belly; the chest; as, the breast of a man or of a horse. 2. Either one of the protuberant glands, situated on the front of the chest or thorax in the female of man and of some other mammalia, in which milk is secreted for the nourishment of the young; a mammma; a teat. "My brother, that sucked the breasts of my mother." (Cant. Viii. 1) 3. Anything resembling the human breast, or bosom; the front or forward part of anything; as, a chimney breast; a plow breast; the breast of a hill. "Mountains on whose barren breast The laboring clouds do often rest." (Milton) 4. <chemical> The face of a coal working. The front of a furnace. 5. The seat of consciousness; the repository of thought and self-consciousness, or of secrets; the seat of the affections and passions; the heart. "He has a loyal breast." (Shak) 6. The power of singing; a musical voice; so called, probably, from the connection of the voice with the lungs, which lie within the breast. "By my troth, the fool has an excellent breast." (Shak) Breast drill, a portable drilling machine, provided with a breastplate, for forcing the drill against the work. Breast pang. See Angina pectoris, under Angina. To make a clean breast, to disclose the secrets which weigh upon one; to make full confession. Origin: OE. Brest, breost, As. Breost; akin to Icel. Brjst, Sw. Brost, Dan. Bryst, Goth. Brusts, OS. Briost, D. Borst, G. Brust. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| breast augmentation | <surgery> A surgical procedure, often involving the use of a prosthetic implant, to increase the size or alter the shape of the breast. (27 Sep 1997) |
| breast bone | The breastbone. The sternum articulates with the ribs 1 through 7 on either side of the chest. (27 Sep 1997) |
| breast cancer | <oncology> The uncontrolled growth of malignant breast tissue. Breast cancer is currently the most common cancer in women and the leading cause of cancer-related death in the 15-54 age group. Strong risk factors include a prior history for breast cancer or a positive family history for breast cancer. Early detection is possible through the use of monthly breast self-examination, annual clinical exams and mammography. WWW: cancerNET document for patients WWW: cancerNET document for clinicians (05 Jan 1998) |
| breast cancer susceptibility genes | Inherited factors that predispose to breast cancer. Put otherwise, these genes make one more susceptible to the disease and so increase the risk of developing breast cancer. Two of these genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, have been identified (and prominently publicised). Several other genes (those for the Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Cowden disease, Muir-Torre syndrome, and ataxia-telangiectasia) are also known to predispose to breast cancer. However, since all of these known breast cancer susceptibility genes together do not account for more than a minor fraction (1/5th at most) of breast cancer that clusters in families, it is clear that more breast cancer genes remain to be discovered. (12 Dec 1998) |
| breast carcinoma | <oncology> The uncontrolled growth of malignant breast tissue. Breast cancer is currently the most common cancer in women and the leading cause of cancer-related death in the 15-54 age group. Strong risk factors include a prior history for breast cancer or a positive family history for breast cancer. Early detection is possible through the use of monthly breast self-examination, annual clinical exams and mammography. WWW: cancerNET document for patients WWW: cancerNET document for clinicians (05 Jan 1998) |
| breast dose in mammography | <radiology> 180 mrad / view -- mid-breast dose, guideline: less than 1 rad for 2-view exam (12 Dec 1998) |
| breast feeding | The ability of the breast to produce milk diminishes soon after childbirth without the stimulation of breastfeeding. Immunity factors in breast milk can help the baby to fight off infections. Breast milk contains vitamins, minerals, and enzymes which aid the baby's digestion. Breast and formula feeding can be used together. (12 Dec 1998) |
| breast implant | <procedure, surgery> A sac inserted under the skin of the chest wall to restore or improve the shape of the breast. (16 Dec 1997) |