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A
A33
monoclonal antibody
A type of monoclonal antibody used in cancer detection or therapy.
Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced substances that can
locate and bind to cancer cells.
Abdomen
The part of the body that contains the pancreas, stomach, intestines,
liver, gallbladder, and other organs.
ABMT
See Autologous Bone Marrow Transplant.
Abscess
A collection of lymphatic fluids and cellular debris (pus), usually
from an infection.
Accessory
Breast Tissue
This is an uncommon finding of additional breast
tissue located in the axillary (underarm) area. This area is difficult
to position for imaging. Women with this condition often require
an extra mammogram view. This is not a precancerous condition.
Acetaminophen
A drug that helps reduce pain and fever (TylenolŪ), but not the
inflammation.
Acetylcysteine
A drug usually used to reduce the thickness of mucus and ease its
removal. It is also used to reverse the toxicity of high doses of
acetaminophen. Also called N-acetylcysteine.
Achlorhydria
A lack of hydrochloric acid in the digestive juices in the stomach.
Hydrochloric acid helps digest food.
Acini
This is another name for the lobules, or sac-like milk producing
glands in the breast or any other similar gland structure. The singular
form is acinus.
Acitretin
A drug used in cancer prevention that belongs to the family of drugs
called retinoids. It is also used in the treatment of psoriasis.
Acoustic
Related to sound or hearing.
ACR
American College of
Radiology
Acridine
carboxamide
DACA. A substance that is being studied as an anticancer drug. It
belongs to the family of drugs called topoisomerase inhibitors.
Actinic
keratosis
A precancerous condition of thick, scaly patches of skin. Also called
solar or senile keratosis.
Activate
In biology, to stimulate a cell in a resting state to become active.
This causes biochemical and functional changes in the activated
cell.
Acupressure
The application of pressure or localized massage to specific sites
on the body to control symptoms such as pain or nausea. Also used
to stop bleeding.
Acupuncture
The technique of inserting thin needles through the skin at specific
points on the body in order to control pain and other symptoms.
Also see in Resources -> Alternative
Breast Cancer Treatment.
Acustimulation
Mild electrical stimulation of acupuncture points to control symptoms
such as nausea and vomiting.
Acute
Occurring suddenly or in a short space of time, as opposed to chronic.
Acyclovir
An antiviral agent used to prevent or treat cytomegalovirus and
herpes simplex infections that may occur when the body is immunosuppressed.
AD
32
An anticancer drug that belongs to a family of drugs called antitumor
antibiotics. It is an anthracycline.
Adenocarcinoma
A general term for a cancer formed from glandular
(adeno) tissue, including breast cancer.
Adenoma
A benign (noncancerous) tumor of glandular tissue that can compress
adjacent tissue as it grows in size. These tumors are often well
defined and usually stay contained. Fibroadenoma is a major cause
of false positive readings in mammography. Also see related article
-> Benign
Breast Lumps.
Adenovirus
A group of viruses that cause respiratory tract and eye infections.
Adenoviruses used in gene therapy are altered to carry a specific
tumor-fighting gene.
Adjuvant
therapy
Treatment that is given in addition to the main
treatment to make it work better. This is generally chemotherapy,
radiation or hormonal therapy for patients with breast cancer after
surgery.
Adrenal
glands
A pair of small glands, one located on top of each kidney. The adrenal
glands produce the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine that
help control heart rate, blood pressure, the way the body uses food,
and other vital functions.
Adrenalin
A hormone. Also called epinephrine.
Adverse
effect
An unwanted side effect of treatment.
Aflatoxins
Substances made by a fungus that is often found on poorly stored
grains and nuts. Aflatoxins have been implicated as a factor in
the etiology of primary liver cancer.
AFP
: Alpha-fetoprotein
A protein normally produced by a developing fetus. AFP levels are
usually undetectable in the blood of healthy non-pregnant adults.
An elevated level of AFP suggests the presence of either a primary
liver cancer or germ cell tumor.
AG3340
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called angiogenesis
inhibitors. AG3340 is a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor. Also
called prinomastat.
Aggressive
A quickly growing cancer.
Aggressive
lymphoma
A quickly growing cancer that arises in the cells of the lymphatic
system.
Agonists
Drugs that trigger an action from a cell or another drug.
Agranulocyte
A type of white blood cell; monocytes and lymphocytes are agranulocytes.
Aldesleukin
A colony-stimulating factor that stimulates the production of blood
cells, especially platelets, during chemotherapy. It is a cytokine
that belongs to the family of drugs called hematopoietic (blood
forming) agents. Also called interleukin-2 or IL-2.
Alendronate
sodium
A drug that affects bone metabolism. It is used in treating osteoporosis
and Paget's disease, and is being studied in the treatment of hypercalcemia
(abnormally high levels of calcium in the blood) and in treating
and reducing the risk of bone pain caused by cancer. Alendronate
sodium belongs to the family of drugs called bisphosphonates.
Alkaline
Phosphatase Test
A tumor marker test that assists in diagnosis
of bone and liver metastases. Also see in Resources -> Breast
Cancer Diagnosis.
Alkylating
Agents
One group of chemotherapy drugs, referring to
the chemical interaction by which these drugs interfere with cell
growth and reproduction. Cytoxan is a common alkylating agent.
Allogeneic
Taken from different individuals of the same species.
Allogeneic
bone marrow transplantation
A procedure in which a person receives stem cells, the cells from
which all blood cells develop, from a compatible, though not genetically
identical, donor.
Allopurinol
A drug that lowers high uric acid (a byproduct of metabolism) levels
in the blood caused by some cancer treatments.
Allovectin-7
A compound used for gene therapy.
Alopecia
The medical name for hair loss. This is a common side effect of
chemotherapy since the therapy interferes with fast-growing cells,
including those that produce hair.
Alpha-fetoprotein
AFP. A protein normally produced by a developing fetus. AFP levels
are usually undetectable in the blood of healthy non-pregnant adults.
An elevated level of AFP suggests the presence of either a primary
liver cancer or germ cell tumor.
Alternative
medicine
Practices not generally recognized by the medical community as standard
or conventional medical approaches and used instead of standard
treatments. Alternative medicine includes such practices as dietary
supplements, megadose vitamins, herbal preparations, special teas,
massage therapy, magnet therapy, spiritual healing, and meditation.
Also see in Resources -> Alternative
Breast Cancer Treatment.
Altretamine
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called alkylating
agents.
Alum
A type of immune adjuvant (a substance used to help boost the immune
response to a vaccine). Also called aluminum sulfate.
ALVAC-CEA
vaccine
A cancer vaccine containing a canary pox virus (ALVAC) combined
with the human carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) gene.
Alveoli
Tiny air sacs at the end of the bronchioles in the lungs.
Amenorrhea
The cessation of menstruation. In breast cancer literature, this
is usually as a result of chemotherapy.
Amifostine
A drug used as a chemoprotective drug to control some of the side
effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Amikacin
An antibiotic drug used to treat infection. It belongs to the family
of drugs called aminoglycoside antibiotics.
Aminocamptothecin
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called topoisomerase
inhibitors.
Aminoglutethimide
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called nonsteroidal
aromatase inhibitors. Aminoglutethimide is used to decrease estrogen
production and suppress the growth of tumors that need estrogen
to grow.
Aminolevulinic
acid
A drug used in photodynamic therapy that is absorbed by tumor cells;
when exposed to light, it becomes active and kills the cancer cells.
Aminopterin
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called antimetabolites.
Amoxicillin
An antibiotic drug used to treat infection. It belongs to the family
of drugs called penicillins or penicillin-derivatives.
Amphotericin
B
An antifungal drug used to treat infection.
Amputation
Surgery to remove part or all of a limb or appendage.
Amsacrine
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called topoisomerase
inhibitors.
Amylase
An enzyme that helps the body digest starches.
Amyloidosis
A group of diseases in which protein is deposited in specific organs
(localized amyloidosis) or throughout the body (systemic amyloidosis).
Amyloidosis may be either primary (with no known cause) or secondary
(caused by another disease, including some types of cancer). Generally,
primary amyloidosis effects the nerves, skin, tongue, joints, heart,
and liver; secondary amyloidosis often effects the spleen, kidneys,
liver, and adrenal glands.
Analgesic
A general term for any drug that relieves pain.
Androgen
A male hormone, sometimes used in the treatment of metastatic breast
cancer.
Anecdotal
Evidence
These are reports of individual cases of treatments
having an effect on breast cancer. These stories are interesting
and may lead to valid treatments, but case reports do not provide
scientific evidence, in and of themselves. Many alternative treatments
are supported by anecdotal evidence, but they are taken in conjunction
with another treatment that may have been the cause of remission.
Clinical trials are set up to avoid findings that may be due to
external causes. Experimental data yields empirical evidence.
Anemia
A lowered red blood cell count, often the result of chemotherapy.
The red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body. Lowered oxygenation
in anemia results in symptoms of fatigue, shortness of breath, weakness,
loss of energy, loss of appetite and skin pallor.
Aneuploid
Having an abnormal number of chromosomes -- a characteristic of
cancer.
Angiogenesis
A biological process by which cancerous growths send out chemical
signals to promote the growth of blood vessels to feed the tumor.
Anorexia
An extreme loss of appetite, caused by treatment or the cancer itself.
In the extreme stages anorexia can be life threatening.
Antiangiogenic
Referring to a new class of substances that
inhibit angiogenisis, the chemical signals sent by tumors to create
their own blood supply.
Antibody
Immune system proteins that circulate in the blood and recognizes
antigens produced by invading agents or abnormal cells.
Antidepressant
A drug used to relieve feelings of depression,
despair and hopelessness.
Antemetic
or antiemetic
A drug that reduces or eliminates the nausea
and vomiting associated with cancer therapies. Common examples are:
Compazine, Decadron, Zofran, Kytril, Marinol, Ativan.
Antiestrogen
A class of drugs that bind with estrogen receptors to prevent tumor
growth in cases of hormonally sensitive cancer. Tamoxifen is an
example of this type of drug.
Antigen
Any substance that the immune system recognizes as a foreign element.
These agents stimulate an immune response.
Antimetabolite
A type of chemotherapy drugs, the name refers
to the way it disrupts cell reproduction. Examples are 5-FU and
methotrexate. Also see in Resources -> Chemotherapy.
Anthracyclines
A class of chemotherapy drugs used to inhibit or prevent the development
and growth of cancerous cells
Apoptosis
The genetically programmed death of a cell. This process occurs
in all normal, healthy body cells.
Archived
tissue
Tissue biopsy samples that have been preserved in wax for future
study - ask your doctor about the location of your stored tissue
Areola
The circular area of dark colored skin at the center of the breast
that surrounds the nipple.
Aromatase
Inhibitors
These drugs inhibit an enzyme called aromatase,
which regulates estrogen production in the adrenal glands. An example
of this class of drugs is anastrozole. Also see in Breast Cancer
Drugs -> Arimidex.
Ascites
An accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, usually a result of cancer
in the liver or other viscera. Accumulation
of fluid in the chest is called effusion. See also pleural effusion.
Aspirate
Fluid withdrawn from a lump, often a cyst, during aspiration.
Aspiration
Withdrawal of fluid from a lump, often an abscess or cyst, with
a needle and a syringe.
Asymmetrical
cells
Cells which are not proportional or not the
same size.
Asymptomatic
Having no symptoms.
Atypical
This means not typical or not normal.
Atypical
cells
Atypical cells are abnormal cells. In the breast these cells are
usually found inside the milk ducts. Atypical cells do not necessarily
progress to cancer, but they are known to increase a woman's risk
by four to five times.
Atypical
Hyperplasia
A benign (noncancerous) condition in which cells
have abnormal features and are reproducing more rapidly than normal.
Autologous
This refers to using your own tissue. In autologous reconstruction,
your own tissue is used to reconstruct the breast. In autologous
bone marrow transplant, your own bone marrow is used.
Autologous
Bone Marrow Transplantation
A procedure in which bone marrow is removed
from a person (harvested), stored, and then given back to the same
person usually following high dose chemotherapy or intensive radiation
therapy.
Axilla
The underarm or armpit.
Axillary
Referring to the axilla or armpit.
Axillary
Dissection
A diagnostic procedure which involves removal
or sampling of the axillary lymph nodes in the armpit, done with
breast cancer surgery to determine the Stage of the disease.
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