Page 21 - Family Help

Glossary

GLOSSARY
Following are some of the words you may come across when cancer is diagnosed
and while you are being treated. It is not a complete dictionary of medical terms,
and there may be medical terms you hear used which are not listed here. You can
always ask your doctor or nurse what a word means if you don’t understand it.

Adenocarcinoma (AC) The most common type of cancer which occurs within
the oesophagus, gastro oesophageal junction and the
stomach.
Adjuvant treatment Additional treatment, such as chemotherapy or
radiotherapy given after surgery.
Specialist Nurse Nurses trained to an exceptionally high-level
specialising in particular illnesses.
Anaesthesia, anaesthetics
Drugs or gases given before and during surgery so
that the patient will not feel pain. The patient may be
awake (local anaesthetic) or asleep (general
anaesthetic).
Anastomosis A connection made surgically between adjacent blood
vessels, parts of the intestine, or other channels of the
body, or the operation in which this is constructed.
Barrett’s Oesophagus A condition in which the cells lining the lower part of
the oesophagus have changed or been replaced with
abnormal cells that could lead to cancer of the
oesophagus. The backing up of stomach contents
(reflux) may irritate the oesophagus and over time,
cause Barrett’s oesophagus.
Benign Tumour that is not malignant or condition that does
not produce harmful effects. It is usually not life-
threatening.
Biopsy One of the main tests used to diagnose cancer. A
piece of body tissue is removed from the area where
there might be cancer, and the cells are examined
under a microscope. This is one of the tests used to
decide whether or not a person has cancer, and what
type of cancer it is.
Blood cells Cells that make up the blood. There are three main
types – red blood cells (which carry oxygen around
the body), white blood cells (which fight invading
germs), and platelets (which help the blood to clot).
Cancer 1. Cancer is present when the normal division of
Cells gets out of control and invades healthy
tissue.
2. Cancer – general term to describe a collection of
diseases.
Carcinoma A type of cancer which begins in glandular cells, often
the lining of an organ.
Chemotherapy A drug treatment usually with anti-cancer drugs. A
course of treatment usually takes several months.
Consultant Most senior doctor.

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