| tumour promoter | <molecular biology, oncology> Agent that in classical studies of carcinogenesis in rodent skin was able to increase the sensitivity of tumour formation by a previously applied primary carcinogen, but was unable to induce tumours when used alone. Important example was croton oil, active ingredients of which are now believed to be phorbol esters. These are believed to act as analogues of diacylglycerols and may activate protein kinase C. Strictly speaking, not the same as a co carcinogen, which is defined as being active when administered at the same time. Tumour promoters generally are carcinogens when tested more stringently. (18 Nov 1997) |
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| tumour registry | Recorded information about the status of patients with tumours. Although a registry was originally the place (like registry house in edinburgh) where information was collected (in registers), the word registry has also come to mean the collection itself. A tumour registry is organised so the data can be analyzed. For example, analysis of data in a tumour registry maintained at a hospital may show a rise in lung cancer among women. (12 Dec 1998) |
| tumour specific antigen | <immunology, oncology> Antigen on tumour cells detected by cell-mediated immunity. For virus transformed cells TSTA (unlike T antigen) is found to differ for different individual tumours induced by the same virus. May consist of fragments of T antigens exposed at the cell surface. (18 Nov 1997) |
| tumour-specific transplantation antigens | Surface antigen's of DNA tumour virus-transformed cells, which elicit an immune rejection of the virus-free cells when transplanted into an animal that has been immunised against the specific cell-transforming virus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| tumour stage | <oncology> The extent of the spread of a malignant neoplasm from its site of origin. See: TNM staging. (05 Mar 2000) |
| tumour stem cell assay | <investigation> A cytologic technique for measuring the functional capacity of tumour stem cells by assaying their activity. It is used primarily for the in vitro testing of antineoplastic agent. (12 Dec 1998) |
| tumour stem cells | <cell biology> Colony-forming cells which give rise to neoplasms. (12 Dec 1998) |
| tumour suppressor | <molecular biology, oncology> A gene that encodes a product that normally negatively regulates the cell cycle and that must be mutated or otherwise inactivated before a cell can proceed to rapid division. Examples: p53, RB retinoblastoma), WT 1 (Wilm's tumour), DCC (deleted in colonic carcinoma), NF 1 (neurofibrosarcoma) and APC adenomatous polyposis coli). (18 Nov 1997) |
| tumour virus | <oncology, virology> Virus capable of inducing tumours. (18 Nov 1997) |
| tumour viruses, murine | Species of mammalian type c retroviruses (retroviruses type c, mammalian) that cause solid tumours or leukaemias in mice. (12 Dec 1998) |
| tumour virus infections | Infections produced by oncogenic viruses. The infections caused by DNA viruses are less numerous but more diverse than those caused by the RNA oncogenic viruses. (12 Dec 1998) |
| turban tumour | Cylindroma of the scalp which, when overgrown, may resemble a turban. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Ewing's tumour | A malignant primary bone tumour that arises most commonly in the first three decades of life. It is highly malignant (prone to spread) and often requires treatment with some combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy. (27 Sep 1997) |
| faecal tumour | An accumulation of inspissated faeces in the colon or rectum giving the appearance of an abdominal tumour. Synonym: faecal tumour, fecaloma, scatoma, stercoroma. Origin: copro-+ G. -oma, tumour (05 Mar 2000) |
| yaba monkey tumour virus | The type species of yatapoxvirus, a tumour-producing DNA virus discovered in monkeys in yaba, nigeria. It has been found to produce histiocytomas in monkeys and humans. (12 Dec 1998) |