| 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) |
| dysfunction, erectile | A consistent inability to sustain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. Also commonaly known as impotence. Medically, the term erectile dysfunction is used to differentiate impotence from other problems that interfere with sexual intercourse (such as lack of sexual desire and problems with ejaculation and orgasm). Impotence usually has a physical cause, such as disease, injury, drug side-effects, or a disorder that impairs blood flow in the penis. Impotence is treatable in all age groups. (12 Dec 1998) |
| erectile | Capable of being erected; susceptible of being erected of dilated. <anatomy> Erectile tissue, a tissue which is capable of being greatly dilated and made rigid by the distension of the numerous blood vessels which it contains. Origin: Cf. F. Erectile. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| erectile dysfunction | A consistent inability to sustain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. Also commonaly known as impotence. Medically, the term erectile dysfunction is used to differentiate impotence from other problems that interfere with sexual intercourse (such as lack of sexual desire and problems with ejaculation and orgasm). Impotence usually has a physical cause, such as disease, injury, drug side-effects, or a disorder that impairs blood flow in the penis. Impotence is treatable in all age groups. (12 Dec 1998) |
| erectile tissue | A tissue with numerous vascular spaces that may become engorged with blood. Synonym: cavernous tissue. (05 Mar 2000) |