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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
(22 terms)
Basics
(22 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…Diagnosis
(36 terms)
Diagnosis
(36 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…Treatment
(21 terms)
Treatment
(21 terms)Chemotherapy (cytotoxic drugs)
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…Monitoring
(9 terms)
Monitoring
(9 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…Side effects
(10 terms)
Side effects
(10 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…Support
(12 terms)
Support
(12 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…The information on this page is for guidance only and does not replace medical consultation.