| 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) |
| varicose | 1. Irregularly swollen or enlarged; affected with, or containing, varices, or varicosities; of or pertaining to varices, or varicosities; as, a varicose nerve fibre; a varicose vein; varicose ulcers. 2. <medicine> Intended for the treatment of varicose veins; said of elastic stockings, bandages. And the like. Origin: L. Varicosus, from varix, -icis, a dilated vein; cf. Varus bent, stretched, crooked. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| varicose aneurysm | A blood-containing sac, communicating with both an artery and a vein. (05 Mar 2000) |
| varicose eczema | Eczema occurring over areas in which the skin has been compromised by varicosities. (05 Mar 2000) |
| varicose ulcer | Ulcer due to varicose veins. Chronic venous insufficiency in the deep veins of the legs leads to shunting the venous return into the superficial veins, in which pressure and flow rate, as well as oxygen content, are increased. (12 Dec 1998) |
| varicose vein | <anatomy, surgery> An abnormal swelling and tortuosity especially of the superficial veins of the legs. (18 Nov 1997) |
| varicose veins | Permanent dilation and tortuosity of vein's, most commonly seen in the legs, probably as a result of congenitally incomplete valves; there is a predisposition to varicose vein's among persons in occupations requiring long periods of standing, and in pregnant women. (05 Mar 2000) |
| sclerosing of varicose veins | A procedure which involves the injection of a sclerosing agent (causes scarring) into varicose veins in the extremities. Sclerotherapy may also be performed in the oesophagus, using UGI endoscopy, in the treatment of oesophageal varices in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. (27 Sep 1997) |