| cancer | <oncology> The first historical description of this condition was in relation to breast carcinoma. This is now a general term for more than 100 diseases that are characterised by uncontrolled, abnormal growth of cells. Cancer cells can spread locally or through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body. (18 Nov 1997) |
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| cancer antigen 125 test | Test for cell-surface antigen found on derivatives of coelomic epithelium. Elevated levels of this antigen are associated with ovarian malignancy and benign pelvic disease such as endometriosis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cancer bodies | Discrete, acidophilic or amphophilic, hyaline body's of various shapes and sizes, occurring in the cytoplasm of some of the neoplastic cells and also extracellularly in the stroma of various carcinomas and sarcomas; formerly regarded by some observers as parasitic causal agents, but now thought to be products of cell necrosis (apoptosis). (05 Mar 2000) |
| cancer care facilities | Institutions specializing in the care of cancer patients. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cancer cell | A cell that divides and reproduces abnormally with uncontrolled growth. This cell can break away and travel to other parts of the body and set up another site, referred to as metastasis. (09 Oct 1997) |
| cancer detection | Methods used to find cancer in persons who may or may not have symptoms. Symptoms of cancer are abnormal sensations or conditions that persons can notice that are a result of the cancer. It is important to your doctor for regular checkups and not wait for problems to occur. But you should also know that the following symptoms may be associated with cancer: changes in bowel or bladder habits, a sore that does not heal, unusual bleeding or discharge, thickening or lump in the breast or any other part of the body, indigestion or difficulty swallowing, obvious change in a wart or mole, or nagging cough or hoarseness. These symptoms are not always a sign of cancer. They can also be caused by less serious conditions. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis. It is important to see a doctor if you have any of these symptoms. Don't wait to feel pain. Early cancer often does not cause pain. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cancer en cuirasse | A carcinoma that involves a considerable portion of the skin of one or both sides of the thorax. Origin: Fr. Breastplate (05 Mar 2000) |
| cancer family | A group of blood relatives of whom several have had cancer; the mode of aggregation may be genetic and homogeneous, as in familial polyposis of the colon; diverse as in neurofibromatosis; or due to common exposure to a carcinogenic or oncogenic agent, such as a virus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cancer juice | Turbid, white to yellow-white or gray-white fluid (chiefly plasma) that may be expressed from certain forms of malignant neoplastic tissue, and is likely to contain neoplastic cells and debris; formed especially in relatively large, degenerating, partly necrotic foci of rapidly growing neoplastic tissue. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cancer susceptibility gene | tumour suppressor gene |
| cancer symptoms | Abnormal sensations or conditions that persons can notice that are a result of a cancer. It is important to see your doctor for regular checkups and not wait for problems to occur. But you should also know that the following symptoms may be associated with cancer: changes in bowel or bladder habits, a sore that does not heal, unusual bleeding or discharge, thickening or lump in the breast or any other part of the body, indigestion or difficulty swallowing, obvious change in a wart or mole, or nagging cough or hoarseness. These symptoms are not always a sign of cancer. They can also be caused by less serious conditions. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis. It is important to see a doctor if you have any of these symptoms. Don't wait to feel pain. Early cancer often does not cause pain. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cancer vaccines | Vaccines or candidate vaccines designed to prevent or treat cancer. Vaccines are produced using the patient's own whole tumour cells as the source of antigens, or using tumour-specific antigens, often recombinantly produced. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cancer, bladder | Cancer of the organ responsible for temporarily holding urine after it leaves the kidneys. The most common warning sign of cancer in the bladder (the hollow organ in the lower abdomen that stores urine) is blood in the urine. The diagnosis of bladder cancer is supported by findings of the medical history and examination, blood, urine, and X-ray tests, and confirmed with a biopsy (usually during a cystoscope exam). (12 Dec 1998) |
| cancer, bone | Cancer of the skeleton. Cancers that begin in bone are rare but it is not unusual for cancers to spread (metastasize) to bone from other parts of the body. This is not called bone cancer, but is named for the organ or tissue in which the cancer begins. Pain is the most frequent symptom of cancer of the bone. Diagnosis of cancer of the bone is supported by findings of the medical history and examination, blood and X-ray tests and confirmed with a biopsy. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cancer, brain | Cancer of the central information processing centre of the body. Tumours in the brain can be malignant or benign and can occur at any age. Primary brain tumours initially form in the brain tissue. Secondary brain tumours are cancers that have spread to the brain tissue (metastasized) from elsewhere in the body. (12 Dec 1998) |
| American Cancer Society | <address, organisation> American Cancer Society, National Headquarters, 1599 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30329 USA. Tel: 00 1 404 320-3333 (05 Feb 1998) |
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| bladder cancer | The most common warning sign of bladder cancer is blood in the urine. The diagnosis of bladder cancer is supported by findings in the medical history and examination, blood, urine, and X-ray tests, and confirmed with a biopsy (usually during a cystoscope exam). Treatment of bladder cancer depends on the growth, size, and location of the tumour. (12 Dec 1998) |
| bladder cancer risks | Smoking is a major risk factor. Cigarette smokers develop bladder cancer 2-3 times more often than do nonsmokers. Quitting smoking reduces the risk of bladder cancer, lung cancer, several other types of cancer, and a number of other diseases as well. Workers in some occupations are at higher risk of developing bladder cancer because of exposure to carcinogens (cancer-causing substances) in the workplace. These workers include people in the rubber, chemical, and leather industries, as well as hairstylists, machinists, metal workers, printers, painters, textile workers, and truck drivers. (12 Dec 1998) |
| bone cancer | <oncology> A general term to imply malignant tumour growth in bone. (27 Sep 1997) |
| bovine cancer eye | A malignant squamous cell carcinoma of cattle, especially the Hereford breed, that originates in the conjunctival mucous membranes or the surrounding skin; it occurs principally in range cattle having unpigmented skin around the eye and living in regions of intense sunlight. (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 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) |
| buyo cheek cancer | betel cancer |
| pancreatic cancer | <oncology> A malignant growth of the pancreas. More than 90% are ductal adenocarcinomas with islet cell carcinomas making up the difference. Symptoms include abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, jaundice, weight loss and anorexia. (27 Sep 1997) |
| gastric cancer | Cancer of the stomach, the major organ that holds food for digestion. Stomach cancer (gastric cancer) can develop in any part of the stomach and spread to other organs. Stomach ulcers do not appear to increase a person's risk of developing stomach cancer. Symptoms of stomach cancer are often vague, such as loss of appetite and weight. The cancer is diagnosed with a biopsy of stomach tissue during a procedure. Called an endoscopy. (12 Dec 1998) |
| mammary cancer virus of mice | Member of the retrovirus subfamily Oncornavirinae, antigenically distinct from the murine leukaemia-sarcoma complex, that is associated with adenocarcinomatous tumours of the mammary gland, commonly latent in wild and laboratory mice and causing cancer only in genetically susceptible strains under certain hormonal influences. Synonym: Bittner agent, Bittner virus, Bittner's milk factor, mammary cancer virus of mice, milk factor, mouse mammary tumour virus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| paraffin cancer | Carcinoma of the skin occurring as an occupational disease in paraffin workers. (05 Mar 2000) |
| genes, breast cancer susceptibility | 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. Howeverm, 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. See related entries to: BRCA1; BRCA2; Breast cancer, familial. (12 Dec 1998) |
| rectal cancer | A malignant tumour arising from the inner wall of the large intestine. The third leading cause of cancer in males, fourth in females in the u.s. Risk factors include heredity (family history), colon polyps, and long-standing ulcerative colitis. most colorectal cancers develop from polyps. Colon polyp removal can prevent colorectal cancer. Colon polyps and early cancer can have no symptoms so regular screening is important. Diagnosis of colorectal cancer can be made by barium enema or by colonoscopy with biopsy confirmation of cancer. (12 Dec 1998) |