| 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) |
| paraffin | <chemical> A mixture of solid hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum. It has a wide range of uses including as a stiffening agent in ointments, as a lubricant, and as a topical anti-inflammatory. It is also commonly used as an embedding material in histology. Pharmacological action: anti-inflammatory agent, topical, pharmaceutic aid, sclerosing solutions. Chemical name: Paraffin waxes and Hydrocarbon waxes (12 Dec 1998) |
| paraffin cancer | Carcinoma of the skin occurring as an occupational disease in paraffin workers. (05 Mar 2000) |
| paraffin embedding | The infiltrating of tissue specimens with paraffin, as a supporting substance, to prepare for sectioning with a microtome. (12 Dec 1998) |
| paraffin tumour | A tumefaction, usually a granuloma, caused by the prosthetic or therapeutic injection of paraffin into the tissues; sometimes used with reference to similar lesions resulting from the injection of any oil, wax, or the like. See: lipogranuloma. Synonym: paraffin tumour. (05 Mar 2000) |
| paraffin wax | A wax derived from petroleum. Synonym: mineral wax. (05 Mar 2000) |
| chlorinated paraffin | A solvent for dichloramine-T. (05 Mar 2000) |
| white soft paraffin | white petrolatum |
| hard paraffin | A purified mixture of solid hydrocarbons derived from petroleum. Synonym: paraffin. (05 Mar 2000) |
| yellow soft paraffin | <pharmacology> A semisolid unctuous substance, neutral, and without taste or odour, derived from petroleum by distilling off the lighter portions and purifying the residue. It is a yellowish, fatlike mass, transparent in thin layers, and somewhat fluorescent. It is used as a bland protective dressing, and as a substitute for fatty materials in ointments. Petrolatum is the official name for the purified product. Cosmoline and vaseline are commercial names for substances essentially the same, but differing slightly in appearance and consistency or fusibility. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| liquid paraffin | <chemical> A mixture of liquid hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum. It is used as laxative, lubricant, ointment base, and emollient. Pharmacological action: cathartic, emollients, ointment bases. Chemical name: Hydrocarbon oils (12 Dec 1998) |