Causes of Cancer

Chemotherapy

Glossary

This glossary reviews the meaning of some words used in this section on Chemotherapy. It also explains some words related to chemotherapy that are not mentioned in this document but that you may hear from your doctor or nurse.

Adjuvant chemotherapy

Anticancer drugs or hormones given after surgery and/or radiation to help prevent the cancer from coming back.

Alopecia

Hair loss.

Anemia

Having too few red blood cells. Symptoms of anemia include feeling tired, weak, and short of breath.

Antiemetic

A medicine that prevents or controls nausea and vomiting.

Biological therapy

Treatment to stimulate or restore the ability of the immune system to fight infection and disease. Also called immunotherapy.

Blood cell count

The number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in a sample of blood. This is also called complete blood count (CBC).

Bone marrow

The inner, spongy tissue of bones where blood cells are made.

Cancer

A general term for more than 100 diseases in which abnormal cells grow out of control; a malignant tumor.

Catheter

A thin, flexible tube through which fluids enter or leave the body.

Central venous catheter

A special thin, flexible tube placed in a large vein. It remains there for as long as it is needed to deliver and withdraw fluids.

Chemotherapy

The use of drugs to treat cancer.

Chromosomes

Threadlike bodies found in the nucleus, or center part, of a cell that carry DNA, the information of heredity.

Clinical trials

Studies that test new medical treatments. Clinical trials are conducted with volunteers and concentrate on one of the following aspects of cancer: preventing cancer, treating cancer, or improving the quality of life of patients with cancer.

Colony-stimulating factors

Substances that stimulate the production of blood cells. Treatment with colony-stimulating factors (CSF) can help the blood-forming tissue recover from the effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. These include granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factors (GM-CSF).

Combination chemotherapy

The use of more than one drug to treat cancer.

Diuretics

Drugs that help the body get rid of excess water and salt.

Gastrointestinal

The digestive tract, which includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, and intestines.

Hormones

Substances produced by the endocrine glands of the body. Hormones are released directly into the bloodstream and have a specific effect on cells and organs in the body, stimulating or turning off their growth.

Infusion

Slow and/or prolonged intravenous delivery of a drug or fluids.

Injection

Using a syringe and needle to push fluids or drugs into the body; often called a "shot."

Intra-arterial (IA)

Into an artery.

Intracavitary (IC)

Into a cavity or space, specifically the abdomen, pelvis, or the chest.

Intralesional (IL)

Into the cancerous area in the skin.

Intramuscular (IM)

Into a muscle.

Intrathecal (IT)

Into the spinal fluid.

Intravenous (IV)

Into a vein.

Malignant

Used to describe a cancerous tumor.

Mucositis

See stomatitis.

Palliative care

Treatment to relieve, rather than cure, symptoms caused by cancer. Palliative care can help people live more comfortably.

Peripheral neuropathy

A condition of the nervous system that usually begins in the hands and/or feet with symptoms of numbness, tingling, burning and/or weakness. Can be caused by certain anticancer drugs.

Per os (PO)

By mouth; orally.

Platelets

Blood cells that help stop bleeding.

Port

A small plastic or metal container surgically placed under the skin and attached to a central venous catheter inside the body. Blood and fluids can enter or leave the body through the port using a special needle.