Key Medical Terms Related to Cancer

Key Medical Terms Related to Cancer

• Carcin/o - Refers to cancer, indicating diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells.
• Malign/o - Denotes a "bad kind," typically associated with malignant tumors as opposed to benign ones.
• Mutat/o - Means "to change," often used in the context of genetic mutations that can lead to cancerous transformations in cells.
• Onc/o - Stands for tumor, encompassing both benign and malignant forms of tumor growth.
• Rhabd/o - Translates to "rod," and can refer to rod-shaped structures often seen in certain cell types or organisms.
• Sarc/o - Means "flesh," usually referring to connective tissues and sarcomas, which are malignant tumors originating from these tissues.

Cancer Overview

• Cancer Definition - A disease caused by the uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in specific body areas, leading to various forms of cancer depending on the affected tissues.
• Carcinoma - A type of malignant tumor that arises specifically from epithelial tissue, which lines the surfaces of organs and body cavities.

Treatment Modalities

• Chemotherapy - Involves the use of chemical substances, especially cytotoxic drugs, to kill or inhibit cancer cell proliferation. It is a common and aggressive treatment method for cancer.
• Immunotherapy - A treatment approach that employs substances to stimulate the immune system, enhancing the body's natural defenses against diseases, notably cancer.
• Radiation Therapy - Utilizes X-rays or similar radiation forms to treat diseases, predominantly targeting cancer by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, resulting in cell death.