Pubmed is an online index of biomedical articles maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.
abdomen (AB-doh-men)
The area of the body that contains the pancreas, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and other organs.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
biopsy (BY-op-see)
The removal of cells or tissues for examination by a pathologist. The pathologist may study the tissue under a microscope or perform other tests on the cells or tissue. There are many different types of biopsy procedures. The most common types include: (1) incisional biopsy, in which only a sample of tissue is removed; (2) excisional biopsy, in which an entire lump or suspicious area is removed; and (3) needle biopsy, in which a sample of tissue or fluid is removed with a needle. When a wide needle is used, the procedure is called a core biopsy. When a thin needle is used, the procedure is called a fine-needle aspiration biopsy.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
breast (brest)
Glandular organ located on the chest. The breast is made up of connective tissue, fat, and breast tissue that contains the glands that can make milk. Also called mammary gland.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
breast cancer (brest KAN-ser)
Cancer that forms in tissues of the breast, usually the ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) and lobules (glands that make milk). It occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
cancer (KAN-ser)
A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
clinical (KLIH-nih-kul)
Having to do with the examination and treatment of patients.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
imaging (IH-muh-jing)
In medicine, a process that makes pictures of areas inside the body. Imaging uses methods such as x-rays (high-energy radiation), ultrasound (high-energy sound waves), and radio waves.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
infection (in-FEK-shun)
Invasion and multiplication of germs in the body. Infections can occur in any part of the body and can spread throughout the body. The germs may be bacteria, viruses, yeast, or fungi. They can cause a fever and other problems, depending on where the infection occurs. When the body’s natural defense system is strong, it can often fight the germs and prevent infection. Some cancer treatments can weaken the natural defense system.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
intervention (IN-ter-VEN-shun)
In medicine, a treatment or action taken to prevent or treat disease, or improve health in other ways.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
localization (LOH-kuh-lih-ZAY-shun)
The process of determining or marking the location or site of a lesion or disease. May also refer to the process of keeping a lesion or disease in a specific location or site.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
magnetic resonance imaging (mag-NEH-tik REH-zuh-nunts IH-muh-jing)
A procedure in which radio waves and a powerful magnet linked to a computer are used to create detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These pictures can show the difference between normal and diseased tissue. Magnetic resonance imaging makes better images of organs and soft tissue than other scanning techniques, such as computed tomography (CT) or x-ray. Magnetic resonance imaging is especially useful for imaging the brain, the spine, the soft tissue of joints, and the inside of bones. Also called MRI, NMRI, and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
medicine (MEH-dih-sin)
Refers to the practices and procedures used for the prevention, treatment, or relief of symptoms of a diseases or abnormal conditions. This term may also refer to a legal drug used for the same purpose.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
MRI
A procedure in which radio waves and a powerful magnet linked to a computer are used to create detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These pictures can show the difference between normal and diseased tissue. MRI makes better images of organs and soft tissue than other scanning techniques, such as computed tomography (CT) or x-ray. MRI is especially useful for imaging the brain, the spine, the soft tissue of joints, and the inside of bones. Also called magnetic resonance imaging, NMRI, and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
National Institutes of Health (NA-shuh-nul IN-stih-TOOTS … helth)
A federal agency in the U.S. that conducts biomedical research in its own laboratories; supports the research of non-Federal scientists in universities, medical schools, hospitals, and research institutions throughout the country and abroad; helps in the training of research investigators; and fosters communication of medical information. Access the National Institutes of Health Web site at . Also called NIH.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
oncology (on-KAH-loh-jee)
The study of cancer.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
pelvis (PEL-vus)
The lower part of the abdomen, located between the hip bones.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
QA
A process that looks at activities or products on a regular basis to make sure they are being done at the required level of excellence. In clinical trials, QA makes sure that all parts of the trial follow the law and the Good Clinical Practice guidelines. Also called quality assurance.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
radiation (RAY-dee-AY-shun)
Energy released in the form of particle or electromagnetic waves. Common sources of radiation include radon gas, cosmic rays from outer space, medical x-rays, and energy given off by a radioisotope (unstable form of a chemical element that releases radiation as it breaks down and becomes more stable).
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
radioactive (RAY-dee-oh-AK-tiv)
Giving off radiation.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
radiologist (RAY-dee-AH-loh-jist)
A doctor who specializes in creating and interpreting pictures of areas inside the body. The pictures are produced with x-rays, sound waves, or other types of energy.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
radiology (RAY-dee-AH-loh-jee)
The use of radiation (such as x-rays) or other imaging technologies (such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging) to diagnose or treat disease.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
screening (SKREE-ning)
Checking for disease when there are no symptoms. Since screening may find diseases at an early stage, there may be a better chance of curing the disease. Examples of cancer screening tests are the mammogram (breast), colonoscopy (colon), and the Pap test and HPV test (cervix). Screening can also include checking for a person’s risk of developing an inherited disease by doing a genetic test.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
surgery (SER-juh-ree)
A procedure to remove or repair a part of the body or to find out whether disease is present. An operation.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
tumor (TOO-mer)
An abnormal mass of tissue that results when cells divide more than they should or do not die when they should. Tumors may be benign (not cancer), or malignant (cancer). Also called neoplasm.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
ultrasound (UL-truh-SOWND)
A procedure in which high-energy sound waves are bounced off internal tissues or organs and make echoes. The echo patterns are shown on the screen of an ultrasound machine, forming a picture of body tissues called a sonogram. Also called ultrasonography.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)