Cancer Guides

 Cancer that starts in the glandular tissue, such as in the ducts or lobules of the breast or in the gland cells of the prostate.

 Treatment used in addition to the main treatment. It usually refers to treatment after surgery to increase the chances of curing the disease or keeping it in check.

 The formation of new blood vessels. Some cancer treatments work by blocking angiogenesis, thus preventing blood from reaching the tumor.

 A substance that can cause the body’s immune system to respond. This response often involves making antibodies. For example, the immune system’s response to antigens that are part of bacteria and viruses helps people resist infections. Certain cancer cells have antigens that can be found by lab tests. They are important in cancer diagnosis and in watching response to treatment. Other cancer cell antigens play a role in immune reactions that could help the body’s resistance against cancer.

 An abnormal growth that is not cancer and does not invade into nearby tissues or spread to other areas of the body.

 The removal of a sample of tissue to see whether cancer cells are present.

 Internal radiation treatment given by placing a radioactive source directly into the tumor or close to it.

 A malignant tumor that begins in the lining layer (epithelial cells) of organs.

 Systemic treatment with drugs to inhibit cancer cell division. Chemotherapy is often used with surgery or radiation to treat cancer when the cancer has spread, when it has come back (recurred) or when there is a strong chance it could recur.

 Research studies that test new drugs or treatments and compare them with current standard treatments. Before a new treatment is used on people, it is studied in the lab. If lab studies suggest the treatment works, it is tested on human volunteers. These human studies are called clinical trials.

 A protein made by certain cells that affect the immune system and can stimulate immunity or slow it down.

 The genetic “blueprint” found in the nucleus of each cell. DNA holds genetic information for proteins involved in cell structure, growth and function.

 A protein that starts, helps or speeds up the rate of chemical reactions in living cells.

 A segment of DNA that contains information on hereditary characteristics, such as hair color, eye color and height, as well as susceptibility to certain diseases.

 Tests performed to determine whether a person has certain gene changes known to increase the risk of cancer or other diseases.

 Naturally occurring proteins that help cells grow and divide. Some cancer cells are too sensitive to growth factors, which helps them grow quickly.

 Conditions associated with cancers that occur in several family members because of an inherited, mutated gene.

 Treatment with drugs that interfere with hormone production or hormone action, or the surgical removal of hormone-producing glands. Hormone therapy can help kill or slow the growth of cancer cells that depend on hormones to grow.

 Treatments that promote or support the body’s immune system response to a disease such as cancer.

 Cancer of the blood or blood-forming organs. People with leukemia often have a noticeable increase in white blood cells (leukocytes).

 A cancer that is confined to the organ where it started; that is, it has not spread to distant parts of the body.

 Small bean-shaped collections of immune system tissue, such as lymphocytes, found along lymphatic vessels. They remove cell waste, germs and other harmful substances from the lymph. They help fight infections and also have a role in fighting cancer, although cancers sometimes spread through the lymph system.

 A cancer of the immune system cells called lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell). It often affects the lymphatic system, a network of thin vessels and nodes throughout the body. The two main types of lymphoma are Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin.

 A mass of cancerous cells that invade nearby tissues or spread (metastasize) to distant areas of the body.

The spread of cancer cells to one or more sites elsewhere in the body, often by way of the lymph system or bloodstream. Regional metastasis is cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes, tissues or organs close to the primary site. Distant metastasis is cancer that has spread to organs or tissues that are farther away (such as when prostate cancer spreads to the bones, lungs or liver).

 A change in the DNA of a cell. Cancer is thought to be due to changes in a cell’s DNA. Most mutations happen after the person is born.

 Systemic and/or radiation treatment given before the main treatment to shrink a tumor.

Treatment that relieves symptoms, such as pain, but is not expected to cure the disease. Its main purpose is to improve the patient’s quality of life.

A doctor who specializes in diagnosis and classification of diseases by lab tests such as examining tissue under a microscope. The pathologist determines the specifics of a diagnosis.

 Treatment with high-energy rays (ionizing energy, such as X-rays) or particles to kill or shrink cancer cells. The radiation can come from outside of the body (external radiation) or from radioactive materials placed directly in or near the tumor (brachytherapy or internal radiation).

The return of cancer after treatment. Local recurrence means that the cancer has come back in the same location as the original cancer. Regional recurrence means that the cancer has come back after treatment in the nearby tissues or lymph nodes near the primary site. Distant recurrence occurs when cancer comes back in distant organs or tissues after treatment.

 Complete or partial disappearance of the signs and symptoms of cancer in response to treatment. A remission might not be a cure.

A malignant tumor that starts in connective tissues, such as cartilage, fat, muscle or bone.

 The most commonly used and widely accepted form of treatment that has been tested and proven.

A procedure used to restock stem cells in the bone marrow when they have been destroyed by chemotherapy, radiation or disease. Stem cells can be the patient’s own (autologous) or can come from someone else (allogeneic). Bone marrow transplantations were the first method for replacing stem cells.

 Treatment to attack the part of cancer cells that make them different from normal cells. Targeted agents tend to have different side effects than conventional chemotherapy drugs.

Articles

What terms might come up before, during or after cancer?

Cancer Terms

People with cancer and their families often need assistance coping with the emotional and practical aspects of the disease. The organizations providing Spanish-language content are marked with an S.

Offers a variety of services to patients and their families and provides printed materials, a glossary and information about cancer. S

Presents timely, comprehensive, oncologist-approved information for patients and families to help make informed health care decisions. S

Provides a workbook, educational resources and support for cancer patients about working through treatment and returning to work. S

Offers free support‚ information‚ financial assistance and practical help to people with cancer and their loved ones. S

Matches patients with cancer and family members with trained volunteer cancer survivors who have recovered from a similar cancer experience.

Provides psychological and social support through nearly 50 affiliate centers, 100 satellite locations and online support services.

A division of LIVESTRONG, this organization educates cancer patients about fertility issues.

Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered provides support, education and programs to help those facing hereditary breast and ovarian cancer know their healthcare options. S

Provides personalized connections that enable one-on-one support among cancer fighters, survivors and caregivers. S

Helps people with cancer through education, public health and research.

Provides comprehensive information about cancer and clinical trials, as well as links to cancer centers. S

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

Provides the latest news, research, events and clinical trials involving complementary medicine. S

The National LGBT Cancer Network was established in 2007 to address the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) cancer survivors and those at risk by: educating members of the LGBT community about their increased cancer risks and the importance of screening/early detection; training health care providers to offer culturally competent and safe treatment to LGBT people; advocating for LGBT inclusion in cancer research, media and mainstream cancer organizations; and supporting LGBT cancer survivors through free online support services.

Funds research to eliminate childhood cancer. The research aims to fast-track less toxic, more targeted treatments through the organization’s research initiative, The Sunshine Project.

Empowers young adults with cancer through programs, support, education and awareness.

Partners with hospitals throughout the United States to develop specialized facilities and services for teens and young adults with cancer. Builds teen-friendly environments, develops standards for age-targeted care, improves collaboration between pediatric and adult specialists and supports dedicated research to improve outcomes and survival rates.

Offers information and advice, discussion groups and a navigator to help find local resources and services. S

Provides support for family caregivers and the professionals who help them, and raises awareness of family caregiving issues.

Offers information for locating federally and privately supported clinical trials for a wide range of diseases and conditions, including cancer.

Contains a search engine to find cancer clinical trials close to home, a comprehensive self-study guide and helpful information for patients and caregivers.

A free service of the National Council on Aging (NCOA), a nonprofit service and advocacy organization in Arlington, Virginia. Asks questions to help identify benefits that could save patients money and cover the costs of everyday expenses. Patients get a personalized report describing programs that might provide help with medication, food, utilities, legal services, health care, housing, in-home services, taxes, transportation and/or employment training. Apply online or print an application. S

A coalition of financial assistance organizations that has joined forces to help patients with cancer experience better health and well-being by limiting financial challenges, through: facilitating communication and collaboration among member organizations; educating patients and providers about existing resources; and advocating on behalf of patients who bear financial burdens associated with the costs of cancer treatment and care.

Contact local/state Department of Social Services or welfare office.

Offers information on patient assistance programs for patients who can’t afford their medications.

Helps qualifying patients without prescription drug coverage get the medicines they need for free or at low cost.

An independent, national organization dedicated to helping federally and commercially insured people living with chronic, life-threatening and rare diseases with the out-of-pocket costs for their prescribed medications. Partnering with donors, health care providers and pharmacies, PAN provides the underinsured access to the treatments they need to best manage their conditions and focus on improving their quality of life. S

Supports young adult cancer survivors as they recover from the financial impact of cancer treatment with direct financial assistance and free online support and education. S

866-843-2572, disabilityrightslegalcenter.org

Provides free information and resources on cancer-related legal issues to cancer survivors, caregivers, health care professionals, employers and others coping with cancer. S

Provides education‚ legal counseling and referrals to survivors concerning managed care‚ insurance‚ financial issues‚ job discrimination and debt crisis matters. S

Provides transportation to patients traveling for treatment.

More than 30 lodges throughout the U.S. offer free housing to patients and their families traveling for treatment.

Aims to improve public awareness of the disease and increase research directed toward the diagnosis, treatment and cure of bladder cancer.

People often need assistance coping with the emotional and practical aspects of cancer.

More Information and Support

Cancer Guide: Resources

A list of helpful resources to assist people with cancer and their families cope with the emotional and practical aspects of the disease.

Cancer Guide: Resources

Cancer Terms

More Information and Support

Latest News