Cancer Flashcards
(24 cards)
cancer
a group of diseases characterized by abnormal, uncontrolled cell growth. These cells invade and destroy healthy tissues and organs.
What are the four classes of cancer? (based on where cancer originates)
Lymphoma- immune system
Leukemia- blood, bone marrow
Carcinoma- skin and lining of organs
Sarcoma- bone, ligament, muscle
biopsy
a test to see if tissue is cancerous
malignant
result of biopsy , cancerous
benign
result of biopsy, not cancerous
metastasis
spreading of cancer from where it originates to another organ in the body
remission
a period of time (which is indefinite) when the cancer is DORMANT. The cancer patient is of of treatment.
carcinogen
a substance that causes cancer
epithelial cells
1) skin
2) cells that form the internal lining of organs
laetrile
a cancer drug which is not approved in the U.S. (the FDA says it doesn’t work)
top cancer killers
- 1) lung
2) colorectal
3) breasts
4) prostate
most common cancers
1) skin
2) prostate
3) breast
4) lung
steps for the FDA’s approving of a drug
1) discovery
2) pre-clinical trials (animals)
3) clinical trials
4) must continue to prove safe and effective
* this process may take 15-20 years
stages of cancer
A- cancer grows on the surface of the tissue
B- cancer grows deeper into that tissue
C- spreading of cancer to nearby glands
D- spreading of cancer to other organs (metastasis)
Oncology
the study of cancer
active patient
one who works with the doctors and learns as much as possible about their own illness
polyp
a precancerous growth often found in the colon
radon
a colorless, odorless gas that rises from the Earth in some areas, carcinogenic
melanoma
a deadly force of skin cancer
melanin
the pigment in your skin
myeloma
cancer of the bone marrow. Results in pain and fractures
Hodgkin’s Disease
a type of lymphoma. Common in males ages 15-30. More than half of cases treated go into remission and more are cured if disease is localized
Anti-Angiogenesis
blood vessels that feed the tumor are cut off. without the blood supply the tumor dies. Currently in use for late stage colon and lung cancer
chemotherapy
the use of drugs to destroy cancer cells
