Understanding / Info
Glossary of medical terms
Simple, jargon-free explanations to help you understand your diagnosis and treatment plan.
How to use this glossary
Tap any term to see the full explanation. For individual medical questions, talk to your medical team.
Basics
(30 terms)
Basics
(30 terms)Cancer→
A general name for a large group of diseases in which some cells in the …Tumor→
A mass of tissue formed by the abnormal multiplication of cells. A tumor…Benign tumor→
A growth that does not invade the surrounding tissues and does not produ…Malignant tumor→
A growth made up of cancer cells that can invade the surrounding structu…Oncologist→
A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of c…MetastasisDecoder
The spread of cancer cells from the site of origin to other organs or ti…RecurrenceDecoder
The return of the disease after a period in which the cancer was absent …CarcinomaDecoder
A type of cancer that starts in the epithelial cells, that is, the cells…AdenocarcinomaDecoder
A subtype of carcinoma that arises in glandular cells, that is, cells th…Melanoma→
A type of cancer that starts in the melanocytes, the cells that produce …Sarcoma→
A type of cancer that starts in the body's supporting tissues, such as b…Lymphoma→
A cancer of the lymphatic system, which mainly affects the lymphocytes, …Leukaemia→
A cancer of the blood and the bone marrow, in which too many immature or…Myeloma→
A cancer of the plasma cells, a type of immune system cell found in the …PrognosisDecoder
An estimate of the likely course of the disease. It depends on the type …Primary vs secondary tumors→
Primary = the site where the cancer first appeared. Secondary (metastasi…Breast cancer→
The most common cancer in women in Romania. It develops from the cells o…Lung cancer→
The most common cancer in men and the leading cause of cancer death in R…Colorectal cancer (of the colon and rectum)→
The second most common cancer in Romania, in both men and women. It deve…Radiation oncologist→
A specialist doctor who plans and supervises radiotherapy treatment. The…Surgical oncologist→
A surgeon who specializes in removing tumors. They work with the medical…Haematologist→
A specialist doctor in diseases of the blood and the lymphatic system. T…Prostate cancer→
The most common cancer in men over 50 in Romania. It develops from the c…Skin cancer→
A group of cancers that develop in the cells of the skin, most commonly …Liver cancer→
Cancer that starts in the cells of the liver, most commonly hepatocellul…Gastric (stomach) cancer→
Cancer that develops in the lining of the stomach, usually an adenocarci…Cervical cancer→
Cancer that starts in the cells of the cervix, caused almost always by p…Bladder cancer→
Cancer that develops in the lining of the bladder. The most common sign …Bone cancer→
Cancer that starts directly in the bone cells (for example osteosarcoma)…Survival rate (5-year and 10-year)→
The percentage of patients with a certain type and stage of cancer who a…Diagnosis
(63 terms)
Diagnosis
(63 terms)Pathology→
The medical speciality that studies diseased tissues and cells in order …BiopsyDecoder
Taking a small sample of tissue or cells from the body to be examined un…Biomarker (tumor marker)→
A substance in the blood, urine or tissue that can indicate the presence…CT (computed tomography)Decoder
An imaging investigation carried out with X-rays that produces cross-sec…Ultrasound→
A painless imaging investigation without radiation that uses ultrasound …Image guidance→
A technique in which the doctor uses ultrasound, CT or MRI to guide the …Lymph nodeDecoder
A small structure of the lymphatic system, involved in the body's defenc…Tumor grade (G1–G4)Decoder
A histological classification that shows how different the cancer cell i…HistopathologyDecoder
The examination under the microscope of tissue taken by biopsy or surger…ImmunohistochemistryDecoder
A laboratory technique that uses antibodies to detect specific proteins …Genetic testing→
Laboratory tests that identify changes (mutations) in a person's genes. …Mammography→
An X-ray investigation of the breasts, used mainly for the early detecti…Tumor markers→
Substances produced by cancer cells or by the body in response to the pr…Mediastinoscopy→
A surgical procedure in which the space between the lungs (mediastinum) …Resection marginsDecoder
The area of healthy tissue removed together with the tumor during an ope…Genetic mutation→
A change that appears in a gene. Some mutations can favour the developme…PET-CT (positron emission tomography)Decoder
A combined investigation that joins metabolic information (PET) with ana…MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)Decoder
An imaging investigation that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to p…Colonoscopy→
A procedure in which the doctor examines the inside of the colon with a …Bronchoscopy→
An investigation in which the doctor examines the airways with a thin tu…Stage (I–IV)→
An international classification (the TNM system) that shows how far the …Cytogenetic test→
A laboratory test that examines the chromosomes in cells to detect numer…Laboratory tests→
Blood tests, tumor markers and other biological samples. They provide in…Liquid biopsy→
A blood test that detects circulating tumor DNA or cancer cells. It is l…Bone scan→
A nuclear investigation that detects changes in the bones, including bon…Carcinoma in situDecoder
An early-stage cancer in which the abnormal cells have not yet invaded t…Lymphatic invasion→
The presence of tumor cells in the lymphatic vessels. It indicates a hig…TNM (staging system)Decoder
The international system for classifying cancer according to three dimen…Cancer diagnosis→
The process of identifying and confirming the presence of cancer. It inc…HER2Decoder
A protein that can be present in large amounts on the surface of some ca…Ki-67Decoder
A protein present in cells that are actively multiplying. The Ki-67 valu…ER (oestrogen receptor)Decoder
A protein present in some tumor cells that responds to the oestrogen in …PR (progesterone receptor)Decoder
A protein present in some tumor cells that responds to the hormone proge…PD-L1Decoder
A protein produced by some tumor cells that can block the immune system'…Vascular invasionDecoder
The presence of tumor cells in the blood or lymphatic vessels in or arou…Perineural invasionDecoder
The presence of tumor cells in the sheaths of the nerves in or around th…Breast lump→
A palpable lump in the breast, noticed by the patient or found during a …Persistent cough→
A cough lasting more than 3-4 weeks without a clear cause (respiratory i…Blood in the stool (hematochezia)→
The presence of visible or occult blood in the stool. It can have benign…Atypical moles (the ABCDE rule)→
Moles that change shape, color or size and may indicate a melanoma. The …Jaundice (yellowing of the skin)→
Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, caused by a build-up o…Pap test (Papanicolaou test)→
A screening test that collects cells from the cervix to detect precancer…HPV and cancer→
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infec…Hematuria (blood in the urine)→
The presence of blood in the urine, either visible to the naked eye or d…Gleason score→
A grading system used exclusively for prostate cancer, which assesses un…HR+ / HR- (hormone receptor)→
A term describing whether a tumor (most often breast cancer) has estroge…Triple-negative (TNBC)→
A subtype of breast cancer in which the tumor cells have no estrogen or …Unresectable disease→
A tumor that cannot be completely removed through surgery, because of it…Sentinel lymph node→
The first lymph node that a tumor drains into, and therefore the first p…BRCA1 / BRCA2→
Genes that, in their normal form, help repair damaged DNA. An inherited …Philadelphia chromosome→
A specific genetic abnormality, formed by an exchange of genetic materia…KRAS (gene)→
A gene that is frequently mutated in colorectal, lung and pancreatic can…EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor)→
A protein on the surface of cells which, when mutated, can drive uncontr…ALK-positive→
A gene rearrangement found in a subset of lung cancers, more common in n…ROS1→
A rare gene rearrangement, found mainly in lung cancer, clinically simil…ctDNA (circulating tumor DNA)→
Fragments of DNA released by cancer cells directly into the bloodstream.…MRD (minimal residual disease)→
A very small amount of cancer cells, not detectable through standard ima…CA 19-9→
A tumor marker used mainly to monitor pancreatic and bile duct cancer. E…AFP (alpha-fetoprotein)→
A tumor marker useful especially for liver cancer and certain testicular…Tumor genomic profiling→
A laboratory analysis that identifies multiple mutations and genetic alt…NGS (next generation sequencing)→
A laboratory technology that can analyze hundreds of genes at once from …Germline vs. somatic mutation→
A germline mutation is present in all the cells of the body and can be i…Nottingham score (histologic grade)→
A grading system used for breast cancer, which assesses three features o…Treatment
(36 terms)
Treatment
(36 terms)Chemotherapy (cytotoxic drugs)Decoder
A drug treatment that uses chemical substances to destroy cells that div…Cytoreduction (debulking surgery)→
A surgical procedure that removes as much of the visible tumor as possib…Cancer surgery→
A treatment in which the tumor is removed by an operation, sometimes tog…Cancer cure→
The situation in which the cancer can no longer be detected on tests and…Hyperthermia→
A treatment that raises the temperature of the body or of an affected ar…Hormone therapy→
A treatment that blocks or reduces the effect of certain hormones that c…ImmunotherapyDecoder
A treatment that helps the patient's immune system recognize and attack …Radiotherapy→
A treatment that uses ionising radiation to destroy cancer cells or shri…RemissionDecoder
The reduction or disappearance of the signs of cancer in response to tre…Targeted therapy→
A drug treatment that selectively blocks specific molecules involved in …Adjuvant treatment→
Treatment given after surgery or after the main treatment to reduce the …Multimodal treatment→
A treatment approach that combines several types of treatment: surgery +…Neoadjuvant treatment→
Treatment given before surgery or before the main treatment to shrink th…Stem cell transplant→
A procedure in which damaged bone marrow is replaced with healthy stem c…Cancer treatment regimen→
A personalized treatment plan. It may include chemotherapy, radiotherapy…Brachytherapy→
A form of internal radiotherapy in which the radiation sources are place…Monoclonal antibodies→
Laboratory-made proteins that recognize and attach to cancer cells. They…Metronomic chemotherapy→
Giving chemotherapy in small, frequent doses over the long term. It targ…Treatment protocol→
A standardised combination of drugs, doses and dosing intervals, set on …Chemotherapy cycle→
A unit of time in chemotherapy treatment — a period of dosing followed b…Tumor board (multidisciplinary cancer team)→
A regular meeting of a team of specialists (oncologist, surgeon, radiati…Mastectomy→
Surgery to remove all of the breast tissue, sometimes together with the …Lumpectomy→
Breast-conserving surgery in which only the tumor and a margin of surrou…Prostatectomy→
Surgery to remove the prostate, either completely (radical prostatectomy…Trastuzumab (Herceptin)→
A targeted monoclonal antibody that blocks the HER2 protein, used in the…PARP inhibitors→
A class of targeted drugs that block a DNA-repair mechanism used by canc…Tamoxifen→
A hormone therapy drug that blocks the effect of estrogen on tumor cells…Stereotactic radiosurgery→
A high-precision form of radiotherapy that delivers a large dose of radi…Lobectomy→
Surgery to remove a lobe of an organ, most commonly a lung lobe in local…Aromatase inhibitor→
A class of hormone therapy drugs that block the production of estrogen i…Radiofrequency ablation→
A minimally invasive procedure that uses high-frequency electrical curre…Cryoablation→
A minimally invasive procedure that destroys tumor cells through extreme…Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT)→
An advanced external radiotherapy technique that shapes the radiation be…Proton therapy→
A form of radiotherapy that uses protons instead of conventional radiati…Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT)→
A hormonal treatment that lowers the level of testosterone in the body o…Orchiectomy→
Surgery to remove one or both testicles. In oncology, it is done either …Monitoring
(10 terms)
Monitoring
(10 terms)CA-125→
A tumor marker specific to ovarian cancer. It is measured in the blood a…CEA (Carcinoembryonic antigen)→
A tumor marker normally produced during the development of the foetus, b…Full blood count (complete blood count)→
A blood test that counts the blood cells: red blood cells, white blood c…Cancer follow-up (surveillance)→
Regular follow-up of the patient after active treatment has ended. It in…Neutropenia→
A drop in the number of neutrophils below normal values. It is a common …PSA (Prostate-specific antigen)→
A protein produced by the prostate gland, whose concentration in the blo…Response to treatment→
The way the disease reacts to the therapy received. The response can be …Surgical resection→
A procedure in which the surgeon removes the tumor and the surrounding t…Cancer screening→
Regular tests carried out in healthy people to detect cancer at an early…Cancer prevention→
The set of measures that reduce the risk of developing cancer: quitting …Side effects
(20 terms)
Side effects
(20 terms)Alopecia (hair loss)→
A common side effect of chemotherapy, which also affects the hair on you…Anaemia→
A fall in the number of red blood cells or in haemoglobin, which leads t…Cancer pain→
Pain linked to the cancer itself or to its treatments. It can be caused …Fatigue (chronic tiredness)→
Intense tiredness that does not go away with rest. It is one of the most…Nausea and vomiting→
Common side effects of chemotherapy and, less often, of radiotherapy. Ef…Oral mucositis→
Inflammation and ulcers of the lining of the mouth, oesophagus or gastro…Peripheral neuropathy→
Damage to the peripheral nerves that shows up as numbness, tingling, pai…Thrombocytopenia→
A fall in the platelet count below normal levels, which increases the ri…Hand-foot syndrome→
A side effect of some chemotherapy drugs or targeted therapies that caus…Treatment side effects→
Adverse reactions of chemotherapy, radiotherapy or immunotherapy that af…Lymphedema→
A build-up of lymphatic fluid in an arm or leg, causing persistent swell…Malignant ascites→
A build-up of fluid in the abdominal cavity, caused by the spread of can…Tumor lysis syndrome→
A complication that can occur at the start of treatment, when a large nu…Paraneoplastic syndrome→
A group of symptoms caused indirectly by cancer, through substances rele…Radiation dermatitis→
A skin reaction to radiotherapy, similar to sunburn — redness, dryness, …Radiation pneumonitis→
Inflammation of the lung caused by chest radiotherapy, which can appear …Cardiotoxicity→
Damage to heart function caused by certain oncology treatments, such as …Venous thrombosis in cancer→
The formation of a blood clot in a vein, usually in the leg, more common…Superior vena cava syndrome→
A complication in which a tumor (often lung cancer or lymphoma) compress…Malignant hypercalcemia→
An increase in blood calcium levels caused by cancer, either through bon…Support
(14 terms)
Support
(14 terms)Second medical opinion→
The opinion of a second specialist doctor, usually from a different medi…Medical social worker→
A professional who helps the patient and family with the social and prac…Oncology psychological counseling→
Specialized support provided by a psychologist or psychotherapist experi…Distress→
A state of emotional, social or spiritual suffering in the context of ca…Palliative care→
An approach that improves the quality of life of patients with life-thre…Oncology nutrition→
A nutritional approach tailored to the needs of the cancer patient that …Palliative care plan→
A document that sets out the goals and strategies of care for patients w…Cancer recovery→
A process of physical and mental recovery after active cancer treatment.…Life after treatment→
The transition period from active cancer treatment back to everyday life…Oncology psychologist→
A specialist in the emotional support of cancer patients and their famil…Patient support groups→
Meetings (face to face or online) where patients with similar diagnoses …Cancer rehabilitation plan→
A structured program that helps the patient regain physical, cognitive o…Oncology genetic counseling→
A discussion with a medical genetics specialist about the hereditary can…Oncology clinical trial→
A research study in which new cancer treatments or combinations of treat…The information on this page is for guidance only and does not replace medical consultation.