Question | Answer |
anti- | against |
carcin/o | cancerous |
immun/o | immune, protection, safe |
lymph/o | lymph, lymphatic tissue |
lymphaden/o | lymph node or gland |
lymphangi/o | lymph vessel |
neo-, ne/o | new, strange |
-oma | tumor, neoplasm |
onc/o | tumor |
phag/o | eat, swallow |
-plasm | formative material of cells |
sarc/o | flesh, connective tissue |
splen/o | spleen |
-tic | pertaining to |
tox/o | poison, poisonous |
3 main functions of lymphatic system | 1) absorb fat/ fat-soluble vit's through lacteals of sm intestine 2) remove waste products from tissues & cooperate w/ immune system in destroying invading pathogens 3) return filtered lymph to veins @ base of neck |
food digested here | small intestine |
villi | fingerlike projections that line small intestine that contain lacteals and blood vessels |
lacteals | specialized structures of lymphatic system that absorb fats that cannot be transported by bloodstream. |
blood vessels of villi absorb | nutrients, fats, & fat-soluble vitamins from digested food directly into blood stream for use throughout the body. |
interstitial fluid | aka intercellular or tissue fluid, plasma from arterial blood that flows out of arterioles & into capillaries, then into spaces btw cells of tissues |
Interstitial fluid delivers | nutrients, oxygen, & hormones to cells |
When interstitial fluid leaves cells | brings w/ it waste products & protein molecules created w/in cells. 90% of fluid returns to bloodstream |
lymph | made of of remaining 10% of returning interstitial fluid. Clear, watery fluid containing electrolytes & proteins. |
lymph collects | protein molecules created w/in cells as it leaves. Removes dead cells, debris, & pathogens from intercellular spaces |
lymph enters | very small capillaries w/in tissues then flows into progressively larger vessels & ducts as it travels upward toward neck |
lymph plays an active role in cooperation with the______ | immune system to protect the body against invading microorganisms & diseases. |
lymphatic circulatory system works closely together with | blood circulatory system, so sometimes called secondary circulatory system |
lymphatic system depends on ____ to move fluid | pumping motion of muscles |
lymph flows in ______ direction | one. From point of origin can only move upward until returns to circulatory system at base of neck. |
blood is filtered by the _______ and waste products are excreted by the _______ | kidneys / urinary system |
lymph is filtered by _______ | lymph nodes, which are located along lymphatic vessels & contain specialized cells of the immune system |
lymphatic capillaries | microscopic, blind-ended (sealed on one end) tubes located near surface of body w/ capillary walls only 1 cell in thickness |
lymphatic vessels | progressively larger vessels where the lymph flows from the capillaries. Deeper w/in tissues. Valves to prevent backflow. |
right lymphatic duct | collects lymph from rt side of head/ neck, upper rt quadranct & rt arm. Empties into rt subclavian vein. |
subclavian vein | proximal part of main vein of arm |
thoracic duct | largest lymphatic vessel in body, collects lymph from LT side of head & neck, upper LT quad of trunk, LT arm, & entire lower portion of trunk, &both legs. Empties into LT subclavian vein |
lymph node | small, bean-shaped, contains specialized lymphocytes capable of destroying pathogens. 400-700 along LG lymphatic vessels. 1/2 in abdomen |
lymphocytes | aka lymnphoid cells, destroy harmful substances such as bacteria, viruses, & malignant cells. |
cervical lymph nodes | located along the sides of the neck |
axillary lymph nodes | located under arms in armpits |
inguinal lymph nodes | located in inguinal (groin) area of lower abdomenb |
lymphocytes | aka lymphoid cells, leukocytes formed in bone marrow as stem cells. Defend body against antigens |
antigen | any substance that the body regards as being foreign. Viruses, bacteria, toxins, transplanted tissue |
3 types of lymphocytes | natural killer cells, B cells, & T cells |
lymphocytes do this in lymphoid tissues throughout body | undergo maturation & differentiation |
lymphocyte maturation | process of becoming mature |
lymphocyte differentiation | to be modified to perform a specific function. Become specialized antibodies capable of attacking specific antigens |
natural killer cells | aka NK cells, play important role in killing of cancer cells & cells infected by viruses |
B cells | aka B lymphocytes, specialized that produce antibodies to destroy a specific antigen. |
B cells most effective against | viruses & bacteria that are circulating in the blood. |
When does B cell transform into plasma cell? | when confronted w/ the antigen, secrete large volume of antibodies coded to destroy specific antigens |
T cells | aka T lymphocytes, origin thymus. Play central role in cell-mediated immunity |
cytokines | group of proteins such as interferons & interleukins released primarily by T cells. |
interferons, why produced | produced in response to presence of antigens, particularly viruses or tumor cells. |
interferons do this | activate immune system, fight viruses by slowing or stopping multiplication, & signal other cells to increase defenses. |
lymphoid | pertaining to the lymphatic system or resembling lymph or lymphatic tissue or resembling lymph/ lymphatic tissue |
primary roles of lymphoid are in conjunction with the | immune system |
tonsils | 3 masses of lymphoid tissue that form a protective ring around the back of the nose & upper throat |
tonsils play an important role in the immune system by... | preventing pathogens from entering the respiratory system when breathing through the nose & mouth |
adenoids | aka nasopharyngeal tonsils, located in nasopharynx, which is upper part of pharynx |
palatine tonsils | located on LT & RT sides of throat in area that is visible @ back of mouth |
palatine | hard & soft palates that form the roof of the mouth |
lingual tonsils | located @ base of tongue but not readily visible |
lingual | pertaining to the tongue |
thymus | mass of lymphoid tissue located above heart, reaches greatest size @ puberty & becomes smaller w/ age |
thymus secretes | a hormone that stimulates the maturation of lymphocytes into T cells, as part of endocrine system |
T cells in thymus | essential to immune system & leave thymus through the bloodstream & the lymphatic system |
vermiform appendix | aka appendix, hangs from lower portion of cecum - may play important role in immune system |
cecum | 1st section of large intestine |
spleen | sac-like mass of lymphoid tissue located in LT upper quad of abdomen, just inferior to diaphragm & posterior to stomach |
what does spleen do? | filters microorganisms & foreign material from blood. Forms lymphocytes & monocytes for immune system |
These are specialized leukocytes found in spleen | lymphocytes & monocytes |
type of function from spleen | hemolytic function of destroying worn-out erythrocytes & releasing their hemoglobin for reuse |
Spleen stores/ maintains | extra erythrocytes & maintains appropriate balance btw these cells & plasma of blood |
primary function of immune system | maintain good health & to protect body from harmful substances |
Harmful substances the immune system protects body from | pathogens, allergens, toxins, malignant cells |
pathogens | disease-producing microorganisms |
allergens | substances that produce allergic reactions |
toxins | poisonous or harmful substances |
malignant cells | potentially life-threatening cancer cells |
Unlike other body systems, the immune system is not.... | contained w/in a single set of organs or vessels. Instead, its functions use structures from several other body systems |
1st lines of defense for immune system | intact skin, respiratory system, digestive system, lymphatic system |
intact skin | wraps body in physical barrier to prevent invading organisms from entering body |
intact | means that there are no cuts, scrapes, open sores, or breaks in the skin. |
acid mantle | skin is covered in this & it makes it inhospitable environment for most bacteria |
respiratory system (w/ immune) | traps breathed-in foreign matter w/ nose hairs & moist mucous membrane lining of respiratory system. Coughing/ sneezing |
digestive system | uses acids & enzymes produced by stomach to destroy invaders that are swallowed or consumed w/ food |
lymphatic system structures | work together in specific ways to attack & destroy pathogens that have succeeded in entering the body |
antigen-antibody reaction | aka immune reaction, involves binding antigens to antibodies. Labels dangerous antigen to be recognized/ destroyed |
tolerance | an acquired unresponsiveness to a specific antigen. |
Immuniglobin G | IgG, most abundant antibodies, in blood serum & lymph, active against bacteria-fungi-viruses-foreign particles |
Immuniglobin A | IgA, antibodies against ingested antigens, found in body secretions saliva-sweat-tears, function to prevent attachment of viruses & bacteria to epithelial surfaces that line most organs |
Immuniglobin M | IgM, antibodies found in circulating body fluids, 1st antibodies to appear in response to initial exposure or antigen |
Immuniglobin D | IgD, antibodies found only on surface of B cells, important in B cell activation |
Immuniglobin E | IgE, class of antibodies produced in lungs-skin-mucous membranes, responsible for all allergic reactions. |
antibody | disease-fighting protein created by immune system in response to presence of specific antigen |
antibody/ immunnoglobulin | often used interchangeably |
immunoglobins | bind w/ specific antigens in antigen-antibody response. 5 primary: G, A, M, D, E, secreted by plasma cells |
phagocytes | specialized leukocytes act as part of antigen-antibody reaction by destroying cell debris, dust, pollen, pathogens by phagocytosis |
phagocytosis | process of destroying pathogens by surrounding & swallowing them. |
Phagocytes include: | monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, & mast cells |
monocytes | leukocytes that provide immunological defenses against many infectious organisms. Replenish macrophages & dendritic cells |
macrophage | derived from monocytes after leave bloodstream & enter tissue. WBC that surrounds & kills invading cells. Remove dead cells & stimulate action of other immune cells |
dendritic cells | specialized WBC's that patrol body searching for antigens that produce infections. Grabs it, swallows it, & alerts B & T cells |
complement system | group of proteins that normally circulate in blood in an inactive form. Complement ability of antibodies when needed |
complement | to complete or make whole |
immunity | state of being resistant to a specific disease. Natural or acquired |
natural immunity | aka passive immunity, resistance to disease present w/o administration of an antigen or exposure to disease. |
natural immunity is present at... | birth & can be augmented when breast milk passes from nursing mother to baby. |
acquired immunity | obtained by having had a contagious disease. |
vaccinated | provides protection against a contagious disease w/o having been exposed to the risk of actually having the disease |
vaccine | preparation containing an antigen, consisting of whole or partial disease-causing organisms which are killed or weakened |
vaccination | provides protection against disease. Some need periodic booster |
allergist | specializes in diagnosing & treating conditions of altered immunologic reactivity, such as allergic reactions |
immunologist | specializes in diagnosing & treating disorders of the immune system |
lymphologist | physician who specializes in diagnosing & treating disorders of lymphatic system. |
oncologist | physician who specializes in diagnosing & treating malignant disorders such as tumors & cancer |
lymphadenitis | aka swollen glands, inflammation of lymph nodes, frequent indication of infection |
lymph nodes/ lymph glands | used interchangeably |
lymphadenopathy | any disease process affecting a lymph node or nodes |
lymphangioma | benign tumor formed by an abnormal collection of lymphatic vessels due to a congenital malformation of lymphatic system |
ruptured spleen | medical emergency that occurs when the covering of the spleen is torn, usually from blow to abdomen |
splenorrhagia | bleeding from spleen |
splenomegaly | abnormal enlargement of spleen. Can be due to bleeding from injury, infectious disease, or abnormal functioning of immune s |
lymphoscintigraphy | diagnostic test performed to detect damage or malformations of lymphatic vessels. Radioactive substance injected into ducts |
lymphedema | swelling of the tissues due to abnormal accumulation of lymph fluid w/in the tissues - damage preventing lymph from draining |
primary lymphedema | hereditary condition of lymphatic system that develops w/ swelling in feet, then ankles, & upward. Frequent- females |
secondary lymphedema | damage to lymphatic vessels most frequently due to cancer treatment, surgery, trauma, or burns |
primary/ secondary lymphedema treatment | compression/ exercise to control swelling & minimize infections. cannot be cured |
bioimpedance spectroscopy | noninvasive method of diagnosing lymphedema. Measures resistance to an electrical current passed through limb |
effectiveness of immune system depends on individual's: | General health, age, heredity |
Age and the immune system | older have more acquired immunity but responds slower to new challenges. Babies & young little acquired immunity. |
heredity and the immune system | genes & genetic disorders affect the individual's general health & functioning |
allergy | aka hypersensitivity, overreaction by body to a particular antigen. |
allergen | substance that produces an allergic reaction to an individual |
localized allergic response | aka cellular response, includes redness-itching-burning where skin is in contact w/ allergen. More exposure = more severe |
systemic reaction | aka anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock, severe response to an allergen. Develop quickly & can die w/in minutes |
scratch test | diagnostic test to ID commonly troublesome allergens such as tree pollen. Swelling/ itching indicate allergy |
allergen-specific immunoglobulin E | IgE, blood test can determine substance allergy |
antihistamines | medications administered to relieve or prevent symptoms of allergies. Prevent the histamine |
histamine | substance produced by the body that causes the itching, sneezing, runny nose, & watery eyes of allergic reaction |
autoimmune disorder | aka autoimmune disease, any of a large group of diseases characterized by condition in which immune system produces antibodies against its own tissues |
% of Americans w/ autoimmune disorder | 3% of Americans w/ women affected 2.7 x's more than men. Affect most body systems. |
immunodeficiency disorder | occurs when the immune response is compromised |
compromised | weakened or not functioning properly |
severe combined immunodeficiency | SCID, inherited condition which abnormalities in immune system cause increased susceptibility to infection & failure to thrive as result of infections |
Rheumatoid Arthritis | affects joints & connective tissue of skeletal system |
Myasthenia gravis | affects nerve & muscle synapses of muscular system |
Pernicious anemia | affects RBC's of cardiovascular system |
Crohn's disease | affects intestines, ileum, or colon of the digestive system |
multiple sclerosis | affects the brain & spinal cord of the nervous system |
scleroderma | affects the skin & connective tissues of the integumentary system |
Graves' disease | affects the thyroid gland of the endocrine system |
Human immunodeficiency virus | HIV, bloodborne infection where virus damages or kills T cells of immune system, causing it to progressively fail. |
opportunistic infection | caused by pathogen that does not normally produce an illness in healthy humans. When host debilitated, causes infection |
debilitated | weakened by another condition |
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome | AIDS, most advanced & fatal stage of an HIV infection |
Treatment for HIV | regimen of antiretroviral drugs "cocktail" b/c must be taken in combination w/ ea other. Help control impact of disease. |
Kaposi's sarcoma | opportunistic infection frequently assoc. w/ HIV. Cancer causes patches of abnormal tissue to grow under skin in mouth, nose, throat or other organs |
ELISA | acronym for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, blood test used to screen for HIV antibodies, Lyme disease, & others |
western blot test | blood test that is more accurate than ELISA, confirms diagnosis when positive ELISA. |
Pathologies associated w/ AIDS Central Nervous System (CNS) | Meningitis, Encephalitis, AIDS dementia |
Pathologies associated w/ AIDS Tumors | Lymphoma |
Pathologies associated w/ AIDS Large Intestine | Colitis |
Pathologies associated w/ AIDS Mouth | Herpes labialis, Oral thrush |
Pathologies associated w/ AIDS Lung | Pneumonia |
Pathologies associated w/ AIDS Kidney | AIDS nephropathy |
Pathologies associated w/ AIDS Small Intestine | Malabsoption |
Pathologies associated w/ AIDS Skin | Dermatitis, Folliculitis, Impetigo, Kaposi's sarcoma |
immunotherapy | aka biological therapy, disease treatment that involves either stimulating or repressing immune response |
stimulate | cause greater activity |
repress | decrease or stop a normal response |
Immunotherapy in treatment of cancers | used to stimulate the immune response to fight malignancy |
immunotherapy in treatment of allergies | aka allergy desensitization, used to repress the body's sensitivity to a particular allergen. |
synthetic immunoglobulins | aka immune serum, used as post-exposure preventative measure against certain viruses, including rabies & some hepatitis |
post-exposure | patient has been exposed to virus, goal is to prevent disease from developing by providing temp immunity |
synthetic interferon | used in treatment of multiple sclerosis, hep C, & some cancers |
monoclonal antibodies | any of a class of antibodies artificially produced in lab by identical offspring of a clone of specific cells. Enhance immune response. |
monoclonal | pertaining to a single clone of cells |
clone | an exact replica of a group of bacteria |
immunosuppression | treatment to repress or interfere w/ ability of the immune system to respond to stimulation by antigens. |
immunosuppressant | substance that prevents or reduces body's normal immune response. Meds to prevent donor rejection |
corticosteroid drug | hormone-like preparation administered primarily as an anti-inflammatory & immunosuppressant. |
cytotoxic drug | medication that kills or damages cells. Used as immunosuppressants or antineoplastics. |
pathogen | microorganism that causes a disease in humans |
microorganism | living organism that is so small it can only by seen w/ aid of microscope |
pathogenic | capable of producing disease |
bacteria | one-celled microscopic organisms. Most not harmful |
bacilli | rod-shaped, spore-forming bacteria |
anthrax | contagious disease that can be transmitted through livestock infected w/ bacillus anthracis, in labs for biological warfare |
rickettsia | small bacterium that lives in lice, fleas, ticks, mites |
Rocky Mountain spotted fever | caused by a rickettsia that is transmitted to humans by bite of infected tick |
spirochetes | long, slender, spiral-shaped bacteria that have flexible walls & are capable of movement |
Lyme disease comes from | LIME, transmitted to humans by tick bite that has had contact w/ deer infected w/ spirochete borrelia burgdorferi |
Lyme disease symtoms | fever, headache, fatigue, skin rash known as erythema migrans. Untreated can spread to joints, heart, CNS. |
Lyme disease name comes from | First diagnosed in Old Lyme, Connecticut |
Syphilis is also caused by... | spirochetes |
staphylococci | group of approx 30 species of bactera that form irregular groups or clusters resembling grapes. Most harmless, on skin/ mucous. |
staphylococcus aureus | aka staph aureus, form of staph that infects wounds & causes serious problems like TSS or food poisoning |
streptococci | bacteria that form a chain. Most harmless, but can cause strep throat, meningitis, endocarditis, necrotizing fasciitis |
strept/o | twisted chain |
-cocci | spherical bacteria |
antibiotic-resistant bacteria | occur when antibiotics fail to kill all of the bacteria they target. Surviving bacteria resistant to drug. Can be severe/ fatal. |
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus | MRSA, resistant to most antibiotics, small red bumps w/ black top that become abscesses, serious or fatal |
fungus | simple parasitic organism, some harmless some pathogenic |
tinea pedis | aka athlete's foot, fungal infection that develops btw toes |
yeast | type of fungus |
candidiasis | aka yeast infection, occur on skin or mucous mem. in warm, moist areas like vagina or mouth - from Candida albicans |
oral thrush | yeast infection that occurs in mouth |
vaginal candidiasis | yeast infection that occurs in vagina |
parasite | plant or animal that lives on or w/in another living organism at expense of that organism |
malaria cause | caused by a parasite that lives in certain mosquitoes & transferred to humans by bite. |
malaria symtoms | develop in 1-4 wks from infection: fever, shaking, chills, headache, muscle aches, fatigue. |
infections from parasites | malaria, toxoplasmosis |
toxoplasmosis | parasite transmitted from pets to humans w/ contaminated feces. |
toxoplasmosis & pregnancy | cause disease in developing child like microcephalus or hydrocephalus |
microcephalus | abnormally small head & underdeveloped brain |
hydrocephalus | excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in ventricles of brain |
infections from viruses | Ebola, influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, rabies, west nile virus, |
viruses | very small infectious agents that live only by invading other cells. After invasion, reproduces & releases newly formed virus & spreads |
Ebola cause | rare & generally fatal disease transmitted by contact w/ any bodily fluids contaminated. |
Ebola symptoms | appear 21 days from exposure: high fever, vomiting, diarrhea. Later: massive internal bleeding & organ failure |
influenza cause | aka flu, highly contagious viral respiratory infection typically seasonal epidemics. Vaccine can protect. |
influenza symptoms | fever, sore throat, muscle aches, cough, runny nose, fatigue. Complications: pneumonia. |
measles cause | acute, highly contagious infection transmitted by respiratory droplets of the rubeola virus |
measles symptoms | red, itchy rash over entire body, high fever, runny nose, coughing. Complications photophobia |
photophobia | severe sensitivity to light |
mumps | actue viral infection w/ swelling of parotid glands, can also cause painful swelling of ovaries or testicles |
parotid glands | salivary glands located just in front of ears |
rubella | aka German measles, 3-day measles. Viral infection w/ low-grade fever, swollen glands, inflamed eyes, & fine pink rash. |
Rubella and pregnancy | can cause defects in developing fetus |
rabies cause | acute viral infection transmitted to humans from bite or saliva of infected animal. Need immediate treatment |
rabid | animal infected w/ rabies |
rabies symtoms | untreated, 30-90 days after infection almost always fatal. |
west nile virus cause | spread to humans by bite of an infected mosquito |
west nile virus symtoms | mild = flu-like, severe=spreads to spinal cord & brain. |
Flavivirus genus | West Nile virus and viruses that cause the mosquito-borne tropical disease dengue fever |
Infections from Herpesviruses | cytomegalovirus, varicella, herpes zoster, infectious mononucleosis, Epstein-Barr, herpes simplex |
cytomegalovirus | found in most body fluids, silent infection w/ no signs or symptoms, but serious if weakened immune system or transmitted to unborn child - disabilities |
varicella cause | aka chickenpox, caused by herpes virus varicella zoster & highly contagious. |
varicella symptoms | fever & rash consisting of hundreds of itchy, fluid-filled blisters that burst & form crusts. |
herpes zoster | aka shingles, acute viral infection characterized by painful skin eruptions that follow the underlying route of inflamed nerve |
postherpetic neuralgia | complication that may follow herpes zoster if nerve fibers have been damaged during outbreak. Persistent & severe pain |
infectious mononucleosis | aka mono, caused by Epstein-Barr virus. Fever, sore throat, enlarged lymph nodes. Sometimes swelling of spleen/ liver |
antibiotics | medications capable of inhibiting growth or killing pathogenic bacterial microorganisms. Effective for bacterial infections |
inhibit | slow the growth or development |
antibiotics are not effective against this type of infection | viral |
antibiotics are effective against this type of infection | bacterial |
bactericide | substance that causes death of bacteria, antibiotics include penicillins and cephalosporins |
bacteriostatic | agent slows or stops the growth of bacteria, antibiotics include tetracycline, sulfonamide, & erythromycin |
antifungal | agent that destroys or inhibits growth of fungi, antifungal ex is Lotrimin, known as an antimycotic |
antiviral drug | used to treat viral infections or to provide temporary immunity, ex is acyclovir. |
oncology | study of the prevention, causes, & treatment of tumors & cancer. |
Cancer names & deaths in US | most named for part of body where originated, can attack all systems, 2nd leading cause of death in US behind heart disease |
tumor | aka neoplasm, abnormal growth of body tissue. w/in the mass multip of cells is uncontrolled, abnormal, rapid, progressive |
benign tumor | not a form of cancer, & not life-threatening. Can cause damage as it grows to adjacent structures |
benign | not life-threatening |
malignant tumor | form of cancer capable of spreading to distant body sites or systems, & potentially life-threatening. |
malignant | becoming progressively worse & life-threatening |
myosarcoma | ex of malignant tumor derived from muscle tissue |
angiogenesis | process through which a tumor supports its growth by creating its own blood supply |
antiangiogenesis | form of treatment that disrupts blood supply to the tumor |
cancer | class of diseases characterized by uncontrolled division of cells & ability to invade other tissues by growth or metastasizing |
metastasize | to spread from one place to another - from primary to secondary site |
Most common sites of metastatic tumors | bones, liver, lungs |
When cancer metastasizes, it often does so through | the circulatory system or lymphatic system |
metastasis | process by which cancer is spread to new site, also describes tumor itself. transition |
carcinoma | malignant tumor that occurs in epithelial tissue, tend to infiltrate & produce metastases (new cancer sites) |
carcinoma in situ | malignant tumor in its original position that has not yet disturbed or invaded surrounding tissue |
in situ | place where cancer 1st occurred |
adenocarcinoma | any one of a large group of carcinomas derived from glandular tissues |
sarcoma | malignant tumor that arises from connective tissues, including hard, soft, & liquid. |
sarc | flesh |
hard-tissue sarcomas | arise from bone or cartilage |
osteosarcoma | hard-tissue sarcoma that involves upper shaft of the long bones, pelvis, or knee |
soft-tissue sarcomas | cancers of the muscle, fat, fibrous tissue, blood & lymphatic vessels, or other supporting tissue like synovial tissues |
synovial tissues | line cavities of joints |
synovial sarcoma | tumor of the tissues surrounding a synovial joint such as knees or elbows |
liquid-tissue sarcomas | arise from blood & lymph |
leukemia | cancer of the WBC's in the bone marrow |
staging | process of classifying tumors by how far the disease has progressed, potential for responding to therapy, & prognosis |
cancer stages indicated by | letters, #'s, Roman numerals |
Stage I colorectal cancer | cancerous tumor has formed w/in polyp inside colon but has yet to invade surrounding tissue |
Stage II colorectal cancer | cancer has invaded the underlying tissue |
Stage III colorectal cancer | cancer has spread to the underlying tissues & nearby lymph nodes |
lymphoma | general term applied to malignancies affecting lymphoid tissues: lymph nodes, spleen, liver, bone marrow |
2 most common types of lymphoma | Hodgkin's lymphoma & non-Hodgkin's lymphoma |
Hodgkin's Lymphoma | aka Hodgkin's disease, cancer of immune system distinguished by presence of large, cancerous lymphocytes: Reed-Sternberg cells, compromises ability to fight infection |
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma | more common/ all other than Hodgkin's. Originate in lymphocytes, some agressive, others indolent |
indolent | slow growing |
aggressive | fast growing |
breast cancer | carcinoma that develops from cells of breast & can spread to adjacent lymph nodes & other body sites |
ER-positive | majority of all breast cancers, means they grow in response to the hormone estrogen |
BRCA1 & BRCA2 genes | BReast CAncer 1 & 2, abnormal genes that carry a higher risk of breast, ovarian, & certain other cancers. Inherited |
Ductal carcinoma in situ | DCIS, breast cancer @ earliest stage b4 cancer has broken through wall of milk duct, cure rate nearly 100% |
infiltrating ductal carcinoma | starts in milk duct & invades the fatty breast tissue outside the duct. Most common form of breast cancer |
inflammatory breast cancer | IBC, rate but aggressive form of breast cancer where cancer cells block lymphatic vessels in skin of breast. Grows rapidly |
symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer | pain, rapid increase in breast size, redness or rash on breast, swelling of nearby lymph nodes |
male breast cancer | can occur in the small amt of breast tissue, similar to those in women |
stages of breast cancer | 0, I, II, III, IV |
Stage 0 breast cancer | cancer cells found only in 1 location, such as ductal carcinoma in situ |
Stage I breast cancer | cancer cells have moved beyond duct but have not yet reached outside the breast into the lymph nodes |
Stage II breast cancer | cancer has increased in size, &/or has reached 1-3 axillary (armpit) lymph nodes |
Stage III breast cancer | cancer spread to cervical lymph nodes &/or tissues surrounding breast, like chest wall or skin/ Inflammatory breast cancer |
Stage IV breast cancer | cancer has spread to other organs, most commonly brain, lungs, liver, or bones. Invasive or metastatic cancer. |
breast self-examination | self-care procedure for early detection of breast cancer. Check for new lumps or changes to shape of nipple or skin changes |
palpation of the breast | test performed by a trained health care provider to check the texture, size, & consistency of breast |
mammography | radiographic exam of breasts to detect presence of tumors or precancerous cells |
mamm/o | breast |
molecular breast imaging | MBI, nuclear med technique using gamma radiation to detect potential tumors in particularly dense tissue |
ultrasound | often used as follow-up test when abnormality found by mammography |
breast MRI | uses magnets & radio wave, & insertion of a contrast medium IV, to get detailed info for those already diagnosed or high risk |
needle breast biopsy | x-ray or MRI guided needle used to remove small samples of tissue from breast for diagnosis/ planning treatment |
Less painful and disfiguring than surgical biopsy | needle breast biopsy |
surgical biopsy | removal of small piece of tissue for exam to confirm a diagnosis |
sentinel node biopsy | biopsy of 1st lymph node to come into contact w/ cancer cells as they leave organ of origination & start spreading into body |
lymph node dissection | surgical procedure in which all lymph nodes in major group are removed to determine or slow spread of cancer in area |
lumpectomy | surgical removal of only cancerous tissue w/ surrounding margin of normal tissue. Remainder of tissue not removed |
mastectomy | surgical removal of the entire breast & nipple, often includes removal of axillary lymph nodes under adjacent arm |
radical mastectomy | surgical removal of an entire breast & many surrounding tissues |
modified radical mastectomy | surgical removal of the entire breast & all of the acillary lymph nodes under adjacent arm |
breast reconstruction | alternative to wearing an external prosthesis |
immediate breast reconstruction | begins during same surgery as mastectomy when an "expander" is placed to replace the tissue that was removed |
delayed breast reconstruction | necessary if surgery followed by radiation. |
most common forms of treatment for all types of cancer | surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy |
Cancer surgery | remove malignancy + some surrounding tissue, 1 or more nearby lymph nodes. Also laser or cryo surgeries |
Laser surgery for cancer | targeted beams of light to destroy cancer cells |
Cryosurgery for cancer | cancerous cells frozen & destroyed using a substance such as liquid nitrogen |
chemotherapy | use of chemical agents & drugs in combinations selected to destroy malignant cells & tissues |
chemoprevention | use of natural or synthetic substances (drugs/vitamins) to reduce risk of developing cancer or to reduce chance of recurrence |
antineoplastic | medication that blocks development, growth, or proliferation of malignant cells |
proliferation | increase rapidly |
cytotoxic drugs | used for both immunosuppression & chemotherapy |
radiation therapy | goal of destroying only cancerous tissues while sparing healthy ones |
brachytherapy | use of radioactive materials in contact w/ or implanted into tissues to be treated |
teletherapy | radiation therapy administered @ a distance from the body. |
tomotherapy | combination of tomography w/ radiation therapy to precisely target tumor being treated. Radiation slice by slice to tumor |
tom/o | slice |
targeted therapy | a developing form of anticancer drug therapy that uses drugs or other substances to ID & attack specific cancer cells only |
adjuvant therapy | sometimes used after primary cancer treatments to decrease chance of recurrence. |
adjuvant | an agent intended to increase the effectiveness of a drug |
adjuvant therapies | chemotherapy, hormone therapy, radiation, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy |
clinical trials | testing new & promising cancer treatments not yet approved by FDA |
A, Ab | antibody |
AG, Ag | antigen |
CA, Ca | cancer |
CIS | carcinoma in situ |
DCIS | ductal carcinoma in situ |
HZ | herpes zoster |
HL | Hodgkin's lymphoma |
IG | immunoglobulin |
LE | lymphedma |
MMR | measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination |
MET | metastasis |
met | metastasize |
NHL | non-Hodgkin's lymphoma |
VSZ | varicella |