CANCER LEGAL GLOSSARY

CA-125 Blood Test: A blood sample is analyzed for a circulating protein hormone CA-125. Often, the amount of CA-125 in the blood directly relates to the amount of cancer cells in the body. This test is still under study. 

Cancer In Situ: The stage where the cancer is still confined to the tissue in which it started.

Cancer: A group of diseases in which malignant cells grow out of control and spread to other parts of the body.

Candidiasis: A common fungal infection. 

Carcinoembryonic Antigen: A substance normally found in fetal tissue. If found in an adult, it may suggest that a cancer, especially one starting in the digestive system, may be present. Tests for this substance may help in finding out if a colorectal cancer has recurred after treatment. 

Carcinogen: A substance that causes cancer. For example, nicotine in cigarettes is a carcinogen that causes lung cancer.

Carcinoma: A type of cancer that starts in the skin or the lining of organs.

Cardiomegaly: An enlargement of the heart.

CAT scan (CT scan): A test using computers and x-rays to create images of various parts of the body.

CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen): A blood tumor marker.

Cellulitis: The inflammation of an area of the skin (epithelial layer). 

Central Venous Catheter: A special intravenous tubing that is surgically inserted into a large vein near the heart and exits from the chest or abdomen. The catheter allows medications, fluids, or blood products to be given and blood samples to be taken.

Cervical Carcinoma: A cancer of the cervix (the neck of the uterus). 

Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia: A general term for the growth of abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix. Numbers from 1 to 3 may be used to describe how much of the cervix contains abnormal cells. 

Cervical Nodes: Lymph nodes in the neck.

Cervix: The lower, narrow end of the uterus that forms a canal between the uterus and vagina. 

Chemotherapy: Treatment with drugs to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy is often used with surgery and/or radiation to treat cancer when the cancer has spread, when it has come back (recurred), or when there is a strong chance that it could recur. It is the primary treatment of lymphoma. 

Chondrosarcoma: A malignant tumor of cartilage that usually occurs near the ends of the long bones. 

Chronic Leukemia: A slowly progressing cancer of the blood-forming tissues. 

Chronic: Means that a condition is persisting over a long period of time. 

Clinical Trials: A research study that tests how well new medical treatments or other interventions work in people. Each study is designed to test new methods of screening, prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of a disease. 

Colon: The long, coiled, tube-like organ that removes water from digested food. The remaining material, solid waste called stool, moves through the colon to the rectum and leaves the body through the anus. 

Colonoscopy: A procedure to look at the colon or large bowel through a lighted, flexible tube.

Colony-Stimulating Factor (CSF): An injectable substance used to stimulate the bone marrow to produce more cells. 

Color-Flow Doppler: This test is a type of ultrasound that checks the blood flow. Since cancer is characterized by an increased blood flow to the affected area, it can be useful to detect ovarian cancer. 

Colostomy: A surgical procedure by which an opening is created between the colon and the outside of the abdomen to allow stool to be emptied into a collection bag. 

Colposcope: A lighted magnifying instrument used for examination of the vagina and cervix. 

Colposcopy: Examination of the vagina and cervix with an instrument called a colposcope.

Combination Chemotherapy: The use of more than one drug during cancer treatment.

Congestive Heart Failure: A buildup of fluid in the lungs, extremities or both (especially the legs) and it occurs when the heart cannot pump the blood adequately. 

Cryosurgery: Surgery performed with an instrument that freezes and destroys abnormal tissues. This procedure is a form of cryotherapy. 

Cryotherapy: Any method that uses cold temperature to treat disease. 

Cryptorchidism: A condition in which one or both testicles fail to move from the abdomen, where they develop before birth, into the scrotum. Cryptorchidism may increase the risk for development of testicular cancer. 

CT Scan: Computed tomography scan. A series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles; the pictures are created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. Also called computerized tomography and computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan. 

Culdocentesis: A needle is used to obtain a sample of fluid from the vaginal wall and the tissues surrounding the ovaries, which can then be analyzed for the presence of cancer cells. 

Curette: A spoon-shaped instrument with a sharp edge. 

Cyst: An accumulation of fluid or semisolid material within a sac.

Cystitis: An inflammation of the bladder.

Cystoscope: A thin, lighted instrument used to look inside the bladder and remove tissue samples or small tumors. 

Cystoscopy: A cystoscope, a slender tube with a lens and a light, is placed into the bladder through the urethra. Anything unusual can then be removed for a biopsy. 

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