|
A
| B
| C
| D
| E
| F
| G
| H
| I
| J
K | L
| M
| N
| O
| P
Q | R
| S
| T
| U
| V
| W
| X
Y Z
Cancer
Chemotherapy: Chemical substances or medications
used to kill cancer cells.
Cancer: A term for diseases in which abnormal
cells divide without control and fail to die in a normal
fashion. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and can spread
through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of
the body.
Cancerous: Containing cancer cells.
Carcinoma In
Situ: A cancer that is confined
superficially to its site of origin and has not invaded deeper
to other parts of the organ.
CAT Scan: This test combines x-ray and computer
technologies to produce highly detailed cross sectional tissue
views.
Catheter (intravenous): A tube that is placed in a
blood vessel to provide a pathway for drug or nutrients. With
proper care, catheters can stay in place for several weeks or
months.
Cell: The basic unit of any living organism.
Cell Differentiation: The process during which
young, immature (unspecialized) cells take on individual
characteristics and reach their mature (specialized) form and
function for a particular tissue or organ.
Cell
Motility: The ability of a cell to move.
Cell
Proliferation: Cell growth and cell division
that results in an increased number of cells.
Cellular
Adhesion: The close bonding to adjoining
cell surfaces.
Central Nervous
System: Also called CNS. The brain
and spinal cord.
Central Venous Catheter: One of numerous types of intravenous
catheters designed for long-term use in giving drugs and total
intravenous nutrition and in withdrawing blood samples. The
intravenous tubing is surgically implanted into a large vein
in the neck or shoulder and extends to a large blood vessel
near the heart.
Cervical
Nodes: Lymph nodes in the neck.
Chemoprevention: The use of drugs in an attempt to
prevent disease.
Chemotherapy: A treatment that destroys cancer cells
with drugs. Selected forms of chemotherapy work by inducing
the differentiation of the cancer cell to a mature normal
cell.
Chromosome: Part of a cell that contains genetic
information. Normally, we humans have 46 chromosomes that
appear as a long thread inside our cells.
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
(CLL): CLL is a disorder
where too many lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, are
produced. This disease results in the abnormal accumulation of
lymphocytes in the marrow, the bloodstream and the lymphatic
system. CLL always involves the bone marrow, frequently
involves the lymph nodes and less often infiltrates the
spleen.
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
(CML): CML is a disorder
where too many granulocytes or myeloid cells, a type of white
blood cell, are produced. This disease results in the abnormal
accumulation of these cells in the marrow and the bloodstream
and often the spleen. CML may occur at any age in either sex.
It is uncommon before 10 years of age, and occurs at an
average age of 45.
Clinical
Trial: A study that uses new treatments to
care for patients. During clinical trials, more information is
collected about new treatments, their risks, and how well they
do or do not work. If clinical trials show that the new
treatment is better than the treatment currently being used,
the new treatment may become the "standard"
treatment.
CLL: See Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
CML: See Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
CMV:
See Cytomegalovirus.
CNS (Central Nervous System): The brain and the
spinal cord.
CNS Prophylaxis: Chemotherapy or radiation therapy
that is given to the central nervous system (CNS). This is
preventive treatment. It is given to kill cancer cells that
may be in the brain and spinal cord, even though no cancer has
been detected there.
Colony-Stimulating Factors: Substances that
stimulate the production of blood cells. Treatment with
colony-stimulating factors (CSF) can help the blood-forming
tissue recover from the effects of chemotherapy and radiation
therapy. Factors are now available for red and white blood
cells and platelet recovery.
Combination
Therapy: This treatment uses a combination
of surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy to treat
cancer.
Conditioning: The process of preparing the patient to
receive stem cells for transplant. This is often done through
the use of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Consolidation
Therapy: Chemotherapy which is given only
after a cancer is in remission. It is given to increase the
chances that the remission will be long-lasting.
Confirmatory
Typing: A repeat tissue typing test to
confirm the compatibility of a volunteer or related donor with
a patient. To determine if the relative or volunteer is
interested in proceeding with testing, they are contacted by a
member of the donor center. Arrangements are then made by the
donor center for the drawing and shipping of the blood sample.
The blood sample is tissue typed using DNA technology and is
tested for infectious diseases.
CT (or CAT) scan: A test that takes a series of
detailed pictures of areas inside your body. The pictures are
created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. Also called
computed tomography scan or computed axial tomography scan.
Cutaneous: Related to the skin.
Cyclophosphamide: A drug used for immunosuppression and
destruction of cancer cells. A commonly used brand name is
Cytoxan.
Cyclosporine: An immunosuppressive drug used to treat
and prevent graft-versus-host disease.
Cyst: A sac or capsule filled with fluid.
Cytology: The examination of cells – often obtained
by a fine-needle aspiration – under a microscope to look for
abnormalities.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV): A viral infection that can cause
serious illness in immunosuppressed patients. New drugs are
now available for prevention and treatment.
|
