A substance, especially a drug, added to a prescription to assist in the action of the main ingredient. 

(AD-joo-vant)

Treatment of a disease with a substance, especially a drug, that enhances the main ingredient. 

For example, chemotherapy may be used as adjuvant therapy to radiaiton. 

A change in the structure and orientation of cells characterized by a loss of specialization and reversion to a more primitive form. 

(an-ah-PLAY-zee-ah)

A class of antineoplastic drugs used to treat cancer. These drugs are most effective against rapidly growing tumors. 

(an-tih-meh-TAB-oh-light)

Of or pertaining to a substance, procedure, or measure that prevents the proliferation of malignant cells. 

(an-tih-nee-oh-PLASS-tik)

Noncancerous and therefor not an immediate threat, even though treatment eventually may be required for health or cosmetic reasons; not life threatening

(bee-NINE)

A substance or agent that causes the development or increases the incidence of cancer. 

(kar-SIN-oh-jen)

A change in the structure and orientation of cells characterized by a loss of specialization and reversion to a more primitive form. 

(dee-diff-er-en-she-AY-shun)

An increase in the number of cells of a body part ("excessive formation")

(high-per-PLAY-zee-ah)

The process by which tumor cells spread to distant parts of the body. 

(meh-TASS-tah-sis)

A method of application

(i.e., a treatment method)

Any abnormal growth of new tissue, benign or malignant. 

(NEE-oh-plazm)

A gene in a virus that can cause a cell to become malignant. 

(ONG-koh-jeen)

A formation of a tumor. 

(ong-koh-JEN-eh-sis)

The medical specialty concerned with the study of malignancy. 

(ong-KOL-oh-jee)

Pertaining to a structure with a stalk. 

(peh-DUN-kyoo-LAY-ted)

Ribonucleic Acid

(RNA)

A malignant neoplasm of the connective and supportive tissues of the body, usually first presenting as a painless swelling. 

(sar-KOM-ah)

Pertaining to a carcinoma with a hard structure. 

(SKIR-us)

A malignant epithelial cell tumor that begins as a slightly elevated nodule with a depression or ulceration in the center that becomes more obvious as teh tumor grows. As the depression enlarges, the tissue breaks down, crusts, and bleeds. 

Most common malignant tumor of the epithelial tissue, occurring most often on areas of the skin exposed to the sun. 

Basal cell carnomas rarely metastasize, but they to recur - especially those larger than 2 cm in diameter. 

Breast Cancer 

(carcinoma of the breast)

A malignant lung tumor that originates in the bronchi; lung cancer. 

usually assocaited with a history of cigarette smoking

Symptoms: sistent cough, blood-streaked sputum (hemoptysis), chest pain, and voice change. 

Low survival rate

A malignant tumor of the cervix. 

Human papilloma virus has a strong correlation to risk for cervical cancer. 

The presence of a malignant neopalsm in the large intestine. 

Most neoplasms in the larege intestine are adenocarcinomas and at least 50% originate in teh rectum, causing bleeding and pain. 

Has been shown that history in family can cause increased risk

Malignant tumor of the inner lining of the uterus; 

also known as adenocarcinoma of the uterus. 

Treatment invovles a total abdominal hysterectomy (removal of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries) followed by radiation

Rare malignant lesions that begin as soft, purple-brown nodules or plaques on teh feet and gradually spread throughout the skin. 

Associated with AIDS, diabetes, and malignant lymphoma. 

Malignant skin tumor originating from melanocytes in preexistin nevi (moles), frekcles, or skin with pigment; darkly pigmented cancerous tumor. 

These tumors have irregular surfaces and borders and variable colors and are generally located on teh trunk in men and on the legs in women. 

Diameter is usually >6mm (small lesions generlly form around the primary)

ABCDs of malignant melanoma:

Asymmetry - any pigmented lesion that has flat and elevated parts 

Borders - any leakage across the borders of brown pigment or irregular shaped margins are suspicious. 

Color - variations

Diameter - any lesions with the previous characteristics measuring more than 6 mm in diamter should be removed. 

A highly malignant tumor of the sympathetic nervous system. 

Usually most commonly occurs in teh adrenal medulla, with early metastasis spreading widely to the liver, lungs, lymph nodes, and bone. 

is a precancerous lesion occurring anywhere in the mouth.

These elevated, gray-white or yellow-white, leathery-surfaced lesions have clearly defined boarders.  

A malignant tumor of the ovaries, most commonly occurring in women in their 50s.

Symptoms usually do not appear with ovarian cancer until the disease is well advanced.

Prostatic Cancer

(carcinoma of the prostate)

Malignant growth within the prostate gland, creating pressure on the upper part of the urethra. It is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men. 

Symptoms are usually not present in the early stages of cancer of the prostate. 

symptoms: need to urinate frequently; difficulty starting or stopping urine flow; inability to urinate; weak or interrupted flow of urine when urinating; pain or buring when urinating; pain or stiffness in the lower ack, hips, or thighs; painful ejaculation

A malignant tumor of the kidney, occuring in  adulthood

does not produce symptoms until latter stages of the disease. 

Most common symptom is painless hematuria with later development of flank pain and intermittent fever. 

A malignancy of the squamous cells of epithelial tissue, which is a much faster growing cancer than basal cell carcinoma and has a greater potential for metastasis if not treated. 

When it recurs, it can be highly invasive and present an increased risk of metastasis. 

Testicular Cancer 

(carcinoma of the testes)

a malignant tumor of the testicle that appears as a painless lump in the testicle. 

rare and usually occurs in men under the age of 40

Early treatment is essential to complete recovery. 

Thyroid Cancer 

(cancer of the thyroid gland)

occur in any structural region of the brain and may be malignant or benign. They are classified as primary or secondary and are named according to the tissue from which they originate. 

Leads to progresive neurological dysfunctions. 

Tumors occurring as a result of metastasis from a primary site such as the lung or breast. 

comprises approximately 20 to 40% of intracranial tumors. 

Tumors that arise from gliomas (malignant glial cells that are a support for nerve tissue) or from the meninges are known as primary intracrianl tumors. 

Are classified according to the principal cell type, shape and size

comprises approximately 20% of all intracranial tumors. they arise in the crebral hemisphere and are the most rapidly growing of the gliomas.

[Primary intracrianl tumors Tumors that arise from gliomas (malignant glial cells that are a support for nerve tissue) or from teh meninges are known as primary intracrianl tumors.]

Astrocytoma

[Primary intracrianl tumors]

comprises approximately10% of all intracranial tumors and is a slow growing primary tumor of astrocytes. 

These tend to invade surrounding structures and over time become more anaplastic. 

A highly malignant glioblasoma may develop within the tumor mass. 

[Primary intracrianl tumors, Tumors that arise from gliomas (malignant glial cells that are a support for nerve tissue) or from teh meninges are known as primary intracrianl tumors.]

Ependymomas

Primary Intracranial Tumor

comprise approximately 6% of all intracranial tumors. They commonly arise from the ependymomal cells that line the fourth ventricle wall and often extend into the spinal cord. An ependymoma occurs more commonly in children and adolescents and its usually encapsulated and benign

[Tumors that arise from gliomas (malignant glial cells that are a support for nerve tissue) or from teh meninges are known as primary intracrianl tumors.]

Oligodendrogliomas

Primary Intracranial Tumros

comprise approximately 5% of all intracranial tumors and are usually slow growing. At times, the oligodendrogliomas imitate the glioblastomas with rapid growth. 

occur most often in the frontal lobe

[Tumors that arise from gliomas (malignant glial cells that are a support for nerve tissue) or from teh meninges are known as primary intracrianl tumors.]

Medulloblastoma

[Primary Intracrinial Tumors]

comprises approximately 4% of all intracranial tumors. 

occurs most frequently in children between five and nine years of age. 

It affects more boys than girls and typically arises in teh cerebellum growing rapidly. 

The prognosis is poor

[Tumors that arise from gliomas (malignant glial cells that are a support for nerve tissue) or from the meninges are known as primary intracrianl tumors.]

Meningiomas 

[Primary Intracranial Tumors]

comprise approximately 15% of all intracranial tumors. They originate from the meninges, grow slowly, and are largely vascular. 

Largely occur in adults. 

[Tumors that arise from gliomas (malignant glial cells that are a support for nerve tissue) or from teh meninges are known as primary intracrianl tumors.]

A malignant tumor of the kidney occurring predominantely in childhood. 

The use of cytotoxic drugs and chemicals to achieve a cure, decrease tumor size, provide relief of pain, or slow metastasis. 

often used in conjunction with surgery, radiation therapy, or immunotherapy. 

It destroys cells by disrupting the cell cycle in various phases of metabolism and reproduction. 

Also interfers with th emalignant cell's ability to synthesize needed chemicals and enzymes. 

Alkylating agents are non-phase specific and work by altering DNA synthesis and the cell's ability to replicate. 

Antimetabolites are a group of chemotherapy drugs that are phase specific and alter the cell's ability to replicate or copy the DNA, consequently preventing cell replication. 

Cytotic antibiotics are non-phase specific and act in several ways to damage the cell membrane and kill cells.(can damage cardiac muscle)

Plant alkalois: vinca alkaloids and etoposide. 

Vinca alkaloids are phase specific. Etoposide affects all phases of the cell cycle. 

Hormone and hormone antagonists, corticosteroids and prednisone, the main hormones used in cancer terapy are phase specific and alter cell function and growth. 

Agents that are capable of changing the relationship between a tumor and the host are known as biologic response modifiers (BRMs). These agents are used to strengthen the individual's immune responses. 

Is only used to halt disease that is advanced and/or metastasizing. 

is an advanced treatment procedure for skin cancer. The cancerous tumor is removed in stages, the tissue is examined for evience of cancer, and additional tissue is removed until negative boundaries are confirmed. This proces allows the surgeon to excise the tumor, remove layers of tissue, and examine the frest tissue immediately. Only tissue conatining cancer is removed and th health tissue is kept intact. 

This procedure is repeated until negative boundaries are confirmed. 

Most often used to treat basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. 

The use of ionizing radiation to interrupt cellular growth. The goal of radiation therapy is to reach maximum tumor control wtih minimum normal tissue damage. 

In more than 90% of all caners, surgery is used for diagnosing and staging. In more than 60% of all cancers, surgery is the primary treatment. When feasible, the primary tumor is excised in its entirety. 

Excisional biopsies are used to remove the tumor and a portion of normal tissue, which provide a specimen for examination and diagnosis.  

Incisional biopsies

(surgery)

 Are used to remove a piece of a tumor for examination and diagnosing.

In more than 90% of all caners, surgery is used for diagnosing and staging. In more than 60% of all cancers, surgery is the primary treatment. When feasible, the primary tumor is excised in its entirety. 

Excisional Biopsies

(surgery)

En Bloc

(surgery)

An en bloc resection includes the removal of a tumor and a large area of surrounding tissue that contains lymph nodes. 

An example is a modiefied radical mastectomy. 

In more than 90% of all caners, surgery is used for diagnosing and staging. In more than 60% of all cancers, surgery is the primary treatment. When feasible, the primary tumor is excised in its entirety. 

Fulguration

(surgery)

is the destruction of tissue with electric sparks, and electrocauterization is destruction of tissue by burning. 

In more than 90% of all caners, surgery is used for diagnosing and staging. In more than 60% of all cancers, surgery is the primary treatment. When feasible, the primary tumor is excised in its entirety. 

Exenteration

(surgery)

is a wide resection that removes the organ of origin and surrounding tissue

In more than 90% of all caners, surgery is used for diagnosing and staging. In more than 60% of all cancers, surgery is the primary treatment. When feasible, the primary tumor is excised in its entirety.