Med-surg Vocab

Question 1

Alopecia

Answer 1

Hair loss

Question 2

Anaplasia

Answer 2

Pattern of growth in which cells lack normal characteristics and differ in shape and organization with respect to their cells of origin; usually, anaplastic cells are malignant

Question 3

Angiogenesis

Answer 3

Growth of new blood vessels that allow cancer cells to grow

Question 4

Apoptosis

Answer 4

Programmed cell death

Question 5

Benign

Answer 5

Not cancerous; the nine tumors may grow but are unable to spread to other organs or body parts

Question 6

Biologic response modifier therapy (BRM)

Answer 6

The use of agents or treatment methods that can alter the immunologic relationship between the tumor and the host to provided a therapeutic benefit

Question 7

Biopsy

Answer 7

A diagnostic procedure in which a small sample of tissue is removed and examined microscopically to detect malignant cells

Question 8

Brachytherapy

Answer 8

Delivery of radiation therapy through internal implants

Question 9

Cancer

Answer 9

A disease process whereby cells proliferate abnormally, ignoring growth-regulating signals in the environment surrounding the cells

Question 10

Carcinogenesis

Answer 10

Process of transforming normal cells into malignant cells

Question 11

Carcinogens

Answer 11

Chemicals, physical factors, and other agents that cause cancer

Question 12

Chemotherapy

Answer 12

The use of medications to kill tumor cells by interfering with cellular functions and reproduction

Question 13

Control

Answer 13

Containment of the growth of cancer cells

Question 14

Cytokines

Answer 14

Substances produced primarily by cells of the immune system to enhance production and functioning of components of the immune system

Question 15

Extravasation

Answer 15

Leakage of medication from the veins in to the subcutaneous tissue

Question 16

Grading

Answer 16

Identification of the type of tissue from which the tumor originated in the degree to which the tumor cells retain the functional and structural characteristics of the tissue of origin

Question 17

Graft versus host disease

GVDH

Answer 17

I mean response initiated by T lymphocytes of donor tissue against the recipients tissue (skin, G.I. tract, liver); an undesirable response

Question 18

Metastasis

Answer 18

Spread of cancer cells from the primary tumor to distant sites

Question 19

Mucositis

Answer 19

Inflammation of the lining of the G.I. tract often associated with cancer therapies

Question 20

Myelosuppression

Answer 20

Suppression of the blood cell producing function of the bone marrow

Question 21

Nadir

Answer 21

Lowest point of white blood cell depression after therapy that has toxic effects of the bone marrow

Question 22

Neoplasia

Answer 22

Uncontrolled cell growth that follows no physiologic demand

Question 23

Neutropenia

Answer 23

Abnormally low absolute neutrophil count

Question 24

Ontology

Answer 24

Field or study of cancer

Question 25

Palliation

Answer 25

Relief of symptoms and promotion of comfort and quality of life

Question 26

Radiation therapy

Answer 26

Use of ionizing Radiation to kill malignant cells

Question 27

Staging

Answer 27

Process of determining the extent of disease, including tumor size and spread or metastasis to distance sites

Question 28

Stomatitis

Answer 28

Inflammation of the oral tissues, often associated with some chemotherapeutic agents and radiation therapy to the head and neck region

Question 29

Targeted therapies

Answer 29

Cancer treatments that seek to minimize the negative affects on healthy tissues by disrupting specific cancer cell functions, such as malignant transformation, Communication pathways, processes for growth and metastasis, genetic coding

Question 30

Thrombocytopenia

Answer 30

Decrease in the number of circulating platelets; associated with the potential for bleeding

Question 31

Tumor specific antigen (TSA)

Answer 31

Protein on the membrane of cancer cells that distinguishes the malignant cell from a benign cell of the same tissue type

Question 32

Vesicant

Answer 32

Substance that can cause tissue necrosis and damage

Question 33

Xerostomia

Answer 33

Dry oral cavity resulting from decreased function of salivary glands