| 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 thyroid | An isolated mass, or one of several such masses, of thyroid tissue, sometimes present in the side of the neck, or just above the hyoid bone (suprahyoid accessory thyroid gland), or even as low as the arch of the aorta. Synonym: glandula thyroidea accessoria, accessory thyroid, prehyoid gland, suprahyoid gland, thyroidea accessoria, thyroidea ima, Wolfler's gland. (05 Mar 2000) |
| accessory thyroid gland | An isolated mass, or one of several such masses, of thyroid tissue, sometimes present in the side of the neck, or just above the hyoid bone (suprahyoid accessory thyroid gland), or even as low as the arch of the aorta. Synonym: glandula thyroidea accessoria, accessory thyroid, prehyoid gland, suprahyoid gland, thyroidea accessoria, thyroidea ima, Wolfler's gland. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid | <oncology, tumour> An aggressive form and rare form of thyroid cancer that is one of the most rapidly growing and invasive types of thyroid cancer. It commonly occurs in people over 60 years of age and may cause obstruction of the trachea. The cause is unknown but exposure to radiation may be a factor. Thyroid function tests are usually normal. Hoarse voice, cough and coughing up blood are common symptoms. Examination may reveal nodules in the thyroid gland. Diagnosis is made via biopsy. Treatment is surgical with or without radiation therapy. (27 Sep 1997) |
| cancer, thyroid | Cancer of the gland in front of the neck that normally produces thyroid hormone which is important to the normal regulation of the metabolism of the body. There are four major types of cancer of the thyroid gland. Persons who received radiation to the head or neck in childhood should be examined by a doctor every 1 to 2 years. The most common symptom of thyroid cancer is a lump, or nodule, that can be felt in the neck. The only certain way to tell whether a thyroid lump is cancer is by examining the thyroid tissue obtained using a needle or surgery for biopsy. (12 Dec 1998) |
| receptors, thyroid hormone | Proteins, usually found in the nucleus, that specifically bind thyroid hormones and regulate DNA transcription. These proteins, termed c-erba, are activated by hormones and cause differentiation of erythroid progenitor cells which irreversibly lose proliferative potential. Thus c-erba proteins act as growth suppressors. The c-erba proteins are encoded by at least two genes, c-erba alpha and c-erba beta. Each of these has two isoforms. Mutations in the ligand-binding domain of the beta form causes thyroid hormone resistance syndrome. (12 Dec 1998) |
| giant cell carcinoma of thyroid gland | A rapidly progressive undifferentiated carcinoma observed in the thyroid gland, characterised by numerous, unusually large, anaplastic cells derived from glandular epithelium of the thyroid gland. (05 Mar 2000) |
| glandular branches of inferior thyroid artery | <anatomy, artery> Branches of inferior thyroid artery to thyroid and parathyroid glands, anastomosing with branches of superior thyroid artery. Synonym: rami glandulares arteriae thyroideae inferioris. (05 Mar 2000) |
| pharyngeal branch of inferior thyroid artery | <anatomy, artery> Distributed to laryngopharynx. Synonym: rami pharyngeales arteriae thyroideae inferioris. (05 Mar 2000) |
| middle thyroid vein | <anatomy, vein> It passes from the thyroid gland across the common carotid artery with the inferior thyroid arteries to empty into the internal jugular vein. Synonym: vena thyroidea media. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cold thyroid nodule | <radiology> Adenoma (75%), colloid cyst (10%), carcinoma (15%), mnemonic: CATCH PALLM colloid cyst, adenoma, thyroiditis, carcinoma, haematoma, parathyroid adenoma, abscess, lymph node, lymphoma, metastasis thyroid carcinoma, hot thyroid nodule (12 Dec 1998) |
| cornua of thyroid cartilage | See: inferior horn of thyroid cartilage, superior horn of thyroid cartilage. Cornu uteri, the portion of the uterus to which the intramural section of the uterine tube enters on either the right or left. Synonym: uterine horn, horn of uterus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| posterior branch of superior thyroid artery | <anatomy, artery> Branch of superior thyroid artery which descends to supply the apical portion of the ipsilateral lobe of the thyroid, continuing along the posterior border of the gland to anastomose with the inferior thyroid artery. Synonym: ramus posterior arteriae thyroideae superioris. (05 Mar 2000) |