Abdomen: the large space that contains the stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and spleen. In women it also holds the ovaries, tubes, and uterus.
Adenocarcinoma: a cancer of glandular linings.
Amenorrhea: absence of menstruation.
Antibody: part of the immune system that helps rid the body of foreign substances, such as a virus or bacteria.
Anus: the opening from where the bowels empty feces.
Benign: cell growth that is not cancerous.
Biopsy: removal of tissue that is sent off to pathology to be examined for cancer.
Bladder: the organ that collects urine from the kidneys.
Cancer: abnormal cells that can divide and travel to nearby tissue, the bloodstream, and the lymph nodes.
Carcinogen: substance that is known to cause cancer.
Carcinoma: a cancer of the epithelium, such as the skin.
Carcinoma In-Situ: a premalignant condition of epithelium, it precedes invasive cancer.
CA-125: a blood test that tests for cancer antigens, usually done for ovarian cancers.
Cervititis: an irritation of the cervix.
Chemotherapy: drug treatment used to kill cancer cells.
Clinical Trials: studies that use patients to find better ways to prevent, treat, diagnose, and detect cancer.
Conization (cone biopsy): removal of a cone-shaped piece of tissue where abnormalities are found.
Cryotherapy: treatment that freezes off abnormal growths.
Cyst: a fluid filled or semi solid mass.
Dilation and Cutterage (D&C): an operation of where the cervix is dilated so that the cervical canal and uterine lining may be scraped.
DNA: genetic material in the nucleus of a cell.
Dysmenorrhea: pain experienced during or before a menstrual period
Dyspareunia: pain in the pelvis or vagina during sexual intercourse.
Endometrial Ablation: procedure to destroy the lining of the uterus.
Endometriosis:
Estrogen: a female hormone.
Fallopian: tubes that carry the egg from the ovary to the uterus.
Fecal Occult Blood Test: a test to check for blood in the stool
Genitals: external sex organs.
Hormone Therapy: treatment that prevents certain types of cancer cells from getting the hormones they need in order to grow.
Hyperplasia: a pre-cancerous condition of the uterus lining.
Hysterectomy: a surgery to remove the uterus.
Hysteroscopy: a procedure where a viewing instument (hysterscope) is inserted into the vagina to look at the canal of the cervix and the interior of the uterus.
Immune System: group of antibodies, organs, and cells that protect the body from infections and disease.
Interferon: a biological response modifier that stimulates growth of certain disease-fighting blood cells.
Invasive Cancer: cancer that begins in one area and spreads deeper into the tissue.
Malignant: cancerous cells are present.
Mammogram: breast x-ray.
Menopause: the time when monthly menstruation stops.
Metastasis: spread of cancer from one part of the body to another.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): image producing procedure that is sometimes used to detect cancer and other abnormalities.
Oncologist: doctor who specializes in treating cancer.
Ovaries: two organs that contain eggs in a woman’s body. It also produces a woman’s hormones that are associated with sex and reproduction.
Pap Test (pap smear): microscopic examination of cells taken from the cervix. It is used to detect inflammation, infection, pre-cancerous cells, and cancer.
Pathologist: a doctor that examines tissue and cells under a microscope to detect disease.
Pelvis: the area in the lower abdomen between the hip bones.
Progesterone: a female hormone.
Radiation Therapy (radiotherapy): treatment with high-energy rays used to kill cancer cells. May be external or internal.
Rectum: the lower part of the bowel before the anus.
Recur (recurrance): reappearance of cancer cells at the same area or a new location.
Risk Factor: activity or factor that may increase your chances of developing disease.
Speculum: a metal or plastic instrument used to separate the walls of the vagina so the doctor may examine the cervix and vagina.
Stage: the extent of cancer.
Tissue: a group or layer of cells that perform a specific function.
Tumor: benign or malignant mass that is a result of excessive cell division.
Urethra: tube from the bladder that women and men urinate from.
Uterus: pear-shaped reproductive organ that women menstruate from and where a pregnancy develops.
Vagina: the passage that connects a woman’s genitals to the cervix and uterus.
Vulva (genitals):
White Blood Cells: cells that help the body fight infection and disease.
|
