| cancer antigen 125 test | Test for cell-surface antigen found on derivatives of coelomic epithelium. Elevated levels of this antigen are associated with ovarian malignancy and benign pelvic disease such as endometriosis. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| cancer, bladder | Cancer of the organ responsible for temporarily holding urine after it leaves the kidneys. The most common warning sign of cancer in the bladder (the hollow organ in the lower abdomen that stores urine) is blood in the urine. The diagnosis of bladder cancer is supported by findings of the medical history and examination, blood, urine, and X-ray tests, and confirmed with a biopsy (usually during a cystoscope exam). (12 Dec 1998) |
| cancer bodies | Discrete, acidophilic or amphophilic, hyaline body's of various shapes and sizes, occurring in the cytoplasm of some of the neoplastic cells and also extracellularly in the stroma of various carcinomas and sarcomas; formerly regarded by some observers as parasitic causal agents, but now thought to be products of cell necrosis (apoptosis). (05 Mar 2000) |
| cancer, bone | Cancer of the skeleton. Cancers that begin in bone are rare but it is not unusual for cancers to spread (metastasize) to bone from other parts of the body. This is not called bone cancer, but is named for the organ or tissue in which the cancer begins. Pain is the most frequent symptom of cancer of the bone. Diagnosis of cancer of the bone is supported by findings of the medical history and examination, blood and X-ray tests and confirmed with a biopsy. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cancer, brain | Cancer of the central information processing centre of the body. Tumours in the brain can be malignant or benign and can occur at any age. Primary brain tumours initially form in the brain tissue. Secondary brain tumours are cancers that have spread to the brain tissue (metastasized) from elsewhere in the body. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cancer, breast | Cancer of the tissue containing or involving the milk glands (mammary tissue). Breast cancer is diagnosed with self- and physician- examination of the breasts, mammography, ultrasound testing, and biopsy. There are many types of breast cancer that differ in their capability of spreading to other body tissues (metastasis). Treatment of breast cancer depends on the type and location of the breast cancer, as well as the age and health of the patient. The American Cancer Society recommends that a woman should have a baseline mammogram between the ages of 35 and 40 years. Between 40 and 50 years of age mammograms are recommended every other year. After age 50 years, yearly mammograms are recommended. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cancer, breast, familial | A number of factors have been identified that increase the risk of breast cancer. One of the strongest of these risk factors is the history of breast cancer in a relative. About 15-20% of women with breast cancer have such a family history of the disease, clearly reflecting the participation of inherited (genetic) components in the development of some breast cancers. Dominant breast cancer suceptibility genes, including BRCA1 and BRCA2, appear responsible for about 5% of all breast cancer. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cancer, breast, susceptibility genes | Inherited factors that predispose to breast cancer. Put otherwise, these genes make one more susceptible to the disease and so increase the risk of developing breast cancer. Two of these genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, have been identified (and prominently publicised). Several other genes (those for the Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Cowden disease, Muir-Torre syndrome, and ataxia-telangiectasia) are also known to predispose to breast cancer. However, since all of these known breast cancer susceptibility genes together do not account for more than a minor fraction (1/5th at most) of breast cancer that clusters in families, it is clear that more breast cancer genes remain to be discovered. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cancer care facilities | Institutions specializing in the care of cancer patients. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cancer, causes | Cancer is a group of more than 100 different diseases. Benign tumours are not cancer; malignant tumours are cancer. most cancers are named for the type of cell or the organ in which they begin. When cancer spreads (metastasizes), the new tumour has the same name as the original (primary) tumour. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer for both men and women. The second most common cancer in men is prostate cancer, in women it is breast cancer. Lung cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer for both men and women in the U.S. Cancer is NOT contagious. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cancer cell | A cell that divides and reproduces abnormally with uncontrolled growth. This cell can break away and travel to other parts of the body and set up another site, referred to as metastasis. (09 Oct 1997) |
| cancer, cervix | Cancer of the entrance to the womb (uterus). Regular pelvic exams and Pap testing can detect precancerous changes in the cervix. Precancerous changes in the cervix may be treated with cryosurgery, cauterization, or laser surgery. The most common symptom of cancer of the cervix is abnormal bleeding. Cancer of the cervix can be diagnosed using a Pap test or other procedures that sample the cervix tissue. Cancer of the cervix requires different treatment than cancer that begins in other parts of the uterus. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cancer, colon | A malignant tumour arising from the inner wall of the large intestine. The third leading cause of cancer in males, fourth in females in the U.S. Risk factors for cancer of the colon and rectum (colorectal cancer) include heredity, colon polyps, and long standing ulcerative colitis. most colorectal cancers develop from polyps. Removal of colon polyps can prevent colorectal cancer. Colon polyps and early cancer can have no symptoms. Therefore, regular screening is important. Diagnosis can be made by barium enema or by colonoscopy with biopsy confirmation of cancer tissue. Surgery is the most common treatment for colorectal cancer. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cancer, colon: screening and surveillance | Colon cancer is both preventable and curable. It is preventable by removing precancerous colon polyps. It is curable if early cancer is surgically removed before cancer spread to other parts of the body. Therefore, if screening and surveillance programs were practiced universally, there would be a major reduction in the incidence and mortality of colon cancer. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cancer detection | Methods used to find cancer in persons who may or may not have symptoms. Symptoms of cancer are abnormal sensations or conditions that persons can notice that are a result of the cancer. It is important to your doctor for regular checkups and not wait for problems to occur. But you should also know that the following symptoms may be associated with cancer: changes in bowel or bladder habits, a sore that does not heal, unusual bleeding or discharge, thickening or lump in the breast or any other part of the body, indigestion or difficulty swallowing, obvious change in a wart or mole, or nagging cough or hoarseness. These symptoms are not always a sign of cancer. They can also be caused by less serious conditions. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis. It is important to see a doctor if you have any of these symptoms. Don't wait to feel pain. Early cancer often does not cause pain. (12 Dec 1998) |