Glossary of Terms
These definitions come from the online dictionary of the National Cancer Institute, available at www.cancer.gov/dictionary.
Abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen.
Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) is when both ovaries and both fallopian tubes are removed.
A gene on chromosome 17 that normally helps to suppress cell growth. A person who inherits an altered version of the BRCA1 gene has a higher risk of getting breast, ovarian, or prostate cancer.
A gene on chromosome 13 that normally helps to suppress cell growth. A person who inherits an altered version of the BRCA2 gene has a higher risk of getting breast, ovarian, or prostate cancer.
A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and can spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body.
In its most general sense, chemotherapy is the treatment of disease by chemicals especially by killing micro-organisms or cancerous cells. In popular usage, it refers to antineoplastic drugs used to treat cancer or the combination of these drugs into a cytotoxic standardized treatment regimen. Most commonly, chemotherapy acts by killing cells that divide rapidly, one of the main properties of most cancer cells.
In cancer, refers to how mature (developed) the cancer cells are in a tumor. Differentiated tumor cells resemble normal cells and grow at a slower rate than undifferentiated tumor cells, which lack the structure and function of normal cells and grow uncontrollably.
Refers to cancer that has spread from the original (primary) tumor to distant organs or distant lymph nodes.
Hereditary breast-ovarian cancer (HBOC) refers to families in which individuals have suffered from breast cancer and ovarian cancer (either one individual suffered from both, or several individuals in the pedigree suffered from one or the other disease). Physicians, and especially genetic counselors use the term hereditary breast-ovarian cancer (or HBOC) to refer to a family in which they suspect a hereditary factor to cause the pattern of breast and ovarian cancer occurrences in the family.
The study of cells and tissue on the microscopic level.
The surgical removal of the uterus, usually performed by a gynecologist. Hysterectomy may be total (removing the body, fundus, and cervix of the uterus; often called "complete") or partial (removal of the uterine body but leaving the cervical stump, also called "supracervical"). It is the most commonly performed gynecological surgical procedure.
Cancerous; a growth with a tendency to invade and destroy nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.
A condition in which fluid containing cancer cells collects in the abdomen.
Menopause is the permanent cessation of ovarian function occurring some time before the end of the natural lifespan. The term was originally coined to describe this reproductive change in human females, where the end of fertility is traditionally indicated by the permanent stopping of monthly menstruation or "menses." Menopause is formally medically defined as the time of the last menstrual period in a woman who has not had a hysterectomy.
The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another. Tumors formed from cells that have spread are called secondary tumors and contain cells that are like those in the original (primary) tumor. The plural is metastases.
To spread from one part of the body to another. When cancer cells metastasize and form secondary tumors, the cells in the metastatic tumor are like those in the original (primary) tumor.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are post-transcriptional regulators that bind to complementary sequences in the three prime untranslated regions (3' UTRs) of target messenger RNA transcripts (mRNAs), usually resulting in gene silencing. miRNAs are short ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules, on average only 22 nucleotides long. The human genome may encode over 1000 miRNAs, which may target about 60% of mammalian genes and are abundant in many human cell types. Each miRNA may repress hundreds of mRNAs.
A fold of the peritoneum (the thin tissue that lines the abdomen) that surrounds the stomach and other organs in the abdomen.
Oophorectomy (or ovariectomy) is the surgical removal of an ovary or ovaries. Oophorectomies are most often performed due to diseases such as ovarian cysts or cancer; prophylactically to reduce the chances of developing ovarian cancer or breast cancer; or in conjunction with removal of the uterus.
The pair of female reproductive glands in which the ova, or eggs, are formed and female hormones are produced. The ovaries are located in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus. Each ovary is about the size and shape of an almond.
Treatment given to relieve symptoms caused by advanced cancer. Palliative therapy does not alter the course of a disease, but improves the quality of life.
The space within the abdomen that contains the intestines, the stomach, and the liver. It is bound by thin membranes.
This is a procedure where saline (salt solution) is introduced into the peritoneal cavity, and then removed by suction. After this, the fluid is examined for malignant (cancer) cells (called peritoneal washing cytology).
The tissue that lines the abdominal wall and covers most of the organs in the abdomen.
A thin layer of tissue covering the lungs and the wall of the chest cavity to protect and cushion the lungs. A small amount of fluid that acts as a lubricant allows the lungs to move smoothly in the chest cavity during breathing.
A space enclosed by the pleura (thin tissue covering the lungs and lining the interior wall of the chest cavity). It is bound by thin membranes.
An abnormal collection of fluid between the thin layers of tissue (pleura) lining the lung and the wall of the chest cavity.
Cancer that has not responded to treatment.
Refers to cancer that has grown beyond the original (primary) tumor to nearby lymph nodes and/or organs and tissues.
Salpingo-oophorectomy or unilateral salpingo-oopherectomy (USO) is the removal of an ovary together with a fallopian tube.
Tumor is the name for a neoplasm or a solid lesion formed by an abnormal growth of cells (termed neoplastic) which looks like a swelling. Tumor is not synonymous with cancer. A tumor can be benign, pre-malignant or malignant, whereas cancer is by definition malignant.