| A - C |
| Abdominal CT scan |
A series of x-ray pictures taken of the abdomen by a
machine that encircles the body like a giant tube. Computers are then
used to generate cross-sectional images of the inside of the body. |
| Abscess |
A pus-filled cavity. |
| Adenoma |
A benign (non-cancerous) tumor made up of cells that form glands (collections
of cells surrounding an empty space.) |
| Adjuvant chemotherapy |
Chemotherapy given to patients after their cancers have been surgically
removed. It is a secondary treatment given to supplement surgical treatment.
(see Neoadjuvant chemotherapy) |
| Anaplastic cancer |
Cancer cells that divide rapidly and revert to an undifferentiated
form with no orientation to one another |
| Anemia |
A condition characterized by a deficiency in red blood cells. This
can lead to fatigue, among other symptoms. |
| Angiography |
A radiographic technique used to visualize blood vessels. A contrast
medium (a dye) is usually injected into the vessels to make them appear
white on the x-rays. |
| Anorexia |
A condition marked by a diminished appetite and aversion to food.
Often results in physical signs of wasting. |
| Antibody |
Any of a large number of proteins that are produced normally by specialized
B cells after stimulation by an antigen and act specifically against
the antigen in an immune response |
| Antigen |
Usually a protein or carbohydrate substance capable of stimulating
an immune response |
| Ascites |
The collection of excess amounts of fluid in the abdominal cavity
(belly). It often is a sign that the cancer has spread to either the
liver or the portal vein that goes to the liver. If normal liver function
is affected, a complex set of biochemical checks and balances is disrupted
and abnormal amounts of fluid are retained. |
| Assay |
Analysis to determine the presence, absence, or quantity of one or
more components |
| BCG (Bacille Calmette-Guerin) |
Intravesical drug used to treat superficial bladder cancers. |
| Benign tumor |
A tumor which is non-cancerous. These generally grow slowly and do
not invade adjacent organs or spread (metastasize) beyond the bladder |
| Biomarker |
A distinctive usually biochemical indicator of a biological or geochemical
process or event |
| Biopsy |
The removal and microscopic examination of a tissue sample. |
| Cachexia |
A dramatic weight loss and general wasting that occurs during chronic
disease. |
| Cancer |
A malignant tumor. It has the potential of invading into the adjacent
tissues, spreading to other organs and may eventually lead to the patient's
death. |
| Carboplatin |
Generic name for chemotherapy drug Paraplatin(r) |
| Carcinogen |
A cancer-causing agent. |
| Carcinoma |
A malignant (cancerous) new growth. These tumors infiltrate into surrounding
tissues and, if untreated, will spread to other organs, and may eventually
lead to the patient's death. |
| Catheter |
A small, flexible tube inserted into the body to inject or suck out
fluids. |
| Chemotherapy |
The treatment of a cancer by chemicals. For bladder cancer these include:
cisplatin (Platinol(r)), doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan(r)),
methotrexate, vinblastine, gemcitabine and paclitaxel (Taxol(r)), and
others. |
| Cisplatin |
Generic name for chemotherapy drug Platinol(r) |
| Cohort |
A group of individuals who share a common characteristic.
e.g. a group of individuals entered in a prospective study |
| Colonoscopy |
Visual examination of the inside of the colon (large intestine) by
means of a colonoscope (elongated flexible fiberoptic endoscope). |
| Computed tomography (CT) tcan |
A series of x-ray pictures taken by a machine that encircles the body
like a giant tube. Computers are then used to generate cross-sectional
images of the inside of the body. |
| Contrast agent (or medium) |
A dye, taken by mouth or injected, that is sometimes used during x-ray
examinations to highlight areas that otherwise might not be seen. |
| Cyclophosphamide |
Generic name for chemotherapy drug Cytoxan(r) |
| Cystectomy |
Surgical removal of the bladder |
| Cystoprostatectomy |
Surgical removal of the bladder and prostate |
| Cystoscopy |
Visual examination of the inside of the bladder by means of a cystoscope
(Instrument that is passed through the urethra and allows visualization
and biopsy of the bladder). |
| Cytoxan(r) |
Trade / brand name for chemotherapy drug cyclophosphamide |
|
D - E |
| Diaphragm |
A dome shaped muscle that separates the lungs and heart from the abdomen.
This muscle assists in breathing. |
| Differentiate |
To develop specialized form, character, or function differing from
that of surrounding cytoplasm, cells, or tissue from the original type |
| Disseminated |
Widely dispersed in a tissue, organ, or the entire body |
| DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) |
The part of every cell that carries all genetic information. |
| Dysplasia |
A precancerous condition in which cells which are very similar to
cancer cells grow in an organ but have not yet acquired the ability
to invade into tissue or metastasize (spread to areas distant from where
they started). This is a stage which can be cured. |
| -ectomy |
Surgical removal of a structure or part of a structure. For example,
cystectomy is the surgical removal of the bladder |
| Endoscopy |
A procedure whereby a flexible fiber-optic tube is inserted into the
esophagus, stomach or small intestine through the mouth (upper endoscopy)
or into the large intestine through the anus (lower endoscopy) to look
for abnormalities. |
| Exophytic |
growing outward; spreading externally or on the surface epithelium
of where the growth originated |
| Gemzar |
Trade / brand name for chemotherapy drug gemcitabine |
| Genitourinary |
Of or relating to organs of urination and reproduction, including
the bladder, urethra, ureter, kidney, prostate and testes |
| Granulomatous inflammation |
A mass or nodule of chronically inflammed tissue with granulation
that is usually associated with an infective process. This is commonly
seen in the bladder after intravesical therapy with BCG. |
| Hemorrhagic |
A copious discharge of blood from the blood vessels |
| Immunogenic |
Relating to or producing an immune response |
| in situ |
Term used to indicate that cancerous cells are present in the lining
of an organ but have not spread to the "meat of the tissue. |
| Intravenous pyelogram (IVP) |
A conventional x-ray test using dye to examine the kidneys, ureters,
and bladder. This x-ray will look at the collecting system of the kidneys
to determine the presence of an abnormality. |
| Laparoscopy |
A technique that surgeons can use to visualize and even biopsy (take
tissue samples of) organs inside of the abdomen without making large
incisions. Very small incisions are made in the belly and small tubes
(called trocars) are then inserted. Gas is pumped in through one of
the tubes to create enough space to work in. The surgeon inserts a small
camera through one of the tubes and examines the lining and contents
of the abdominal cavity by looking at the projected image on the television
screen. With specially designed laparascopic instruments, biopsies and
fluid samples can be taken for examination. |
| Loco-regional cancer |
A primary cancer that has spread to regional lymph nodes and/or resectable
(removable) tissues. Removable tissues include some lymph nodes that
are routinely removed in some surgical treatments for cancer. |
| Low Malignant potential (LMP) tumor |
Low malignant potential (LMP) tumors are a borderline form of cancer
that has a lower likelihood of eventual spread and invasion. This is
a gray zone. A pathologist can distinguish a LMP tumor that does not
tend to progress from other superficial bladder cancers that are more
likely to eventually spread and progress. |
| Llymph nodes |
Normal, round, raisin to grape-sized collections of lymphocytes (white
blood cells) found throughout the body. Lymph nodes are connected to
each other by lymphatic vessels. They normally help fight infection,
but also are one of the first sites to which cancers spread. In general,
the spread of cancer to lymph nodes portends a worse prognosis for the
patient. |
| M - O |
| Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) |
A painless method for taking pictures of internal organs. A tube-like
machine with a powerful magnet generates images of the inside of the
body. |
| Malignant tumor |
A cancer that has the potential of invading nearby tissues, spreading
to other organs (metastasizing) and possibly leading to the patient's
death. |
| Metaplasia |
In smokers, this lining is replaced by a cell type normally found
in the mouth (squamous epithelium), and is called "squamous metaplasia.
In the bladder, the normal lining is transitional epithelium, but in
patients with recurrent infections, indwelling catheters or chronic
irritation, the esophagus lining may be replaced with a cell type normally
found in the intestines (intestinal metaplasia). |
| Metastatic cancer |
A cancer that has spread from one organ to another. In general, cancers
that have metastasized are generally not treated surgically, but instead
are treated with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. |
| Mitomycin C |
An intravesical chemotherapy drug |
| Mutation |
An alteration in the DNA of a cell. |
| Necrosis |
Usually localized death of living tissue |
| Neoadjuvant |
A new method that assists in the prevention or cure of disease |
| Neoadjuvant chemo and radiation therapy |
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy given to patients before surgery.
Some centers feel that the use of neoadjuvant therapy improves local
and regional control of disease and that it may make more patients surgical
candidates. |
| Neoplasm |
An abnormal new growth of tissue that grows more rapidly than normal
cells and will continue to grow if not treated. These growths will compete
with normal cells for nutrients. This is a general term that can refer
to benign or malignant growths. It is almost a synonym for the word
tumor, which means a mass or growth. |
| Omentum |
A fold of peritoneum extending from the stomach to adjacent abdominal
organs |
| Oncologist |
A medical doctor who specializes in the treatment of tumors. |
| -ostomy |
A surgically created opening in an organ that can also be referred
to as an anastomosis. |
| P - S
|
| Paclitaxel |
Generic name for chemotherapy drug Taxol(r) |
| Palliative |
Any treatment that reduces the severity of a disease or its symptoms. |
| Papillary |
Branch-like arrangement of the tumor cells. |
| Paraplatin(r) |
Trade / brand name for chemotherapy drug carboplatin |
| Pathologist |
A medical doctor specially trained to study disease processes. |
| Peritoneum |
The serous membrane lining the walls of the abdominal and pelvic cavities
and contained organs |
| Platinol(r) |
Trade / brand name for chemotherapy drug cisplatin |
| Pleomorphic |
Able to assume different forms |
| Primary cancer |
A cancer found in the organ it started in. A primary cancer of the
bladder is one that started in the bladder as opposed to a cancer that
started somewhere else and only later spread to the bladder. |
| Prognosis |
A forecast for the probable outcome of a disease based on the experience
of large numbers of other patients with similar stage disease. Importantly,
making a prognosis is not an exact science. Some patients with poor
prognosis beat the odds and live longer than anyone would have predicted.
|
| Radiation therapy |
The use of high-energy waves similar to x-rays to treat a cancer.
Radiation therapy is usually used to treat a local area of disease and
often is given in combination with chemotherapy. |
| Resectable |
Able to be removed surgically. |
| Sarcoma |
A malignant tumor that mimics connective tissues (bone, cartilage,
muscle) under the microscope. |
| Sepsis |
An infection of the blood. |
| Small intestine |
A long (20 foot) tube that stretches from the stomach to the large
intestine. It helps absorb nutrients from food as the food is transported
to the large intestine. There are three sections: the duodenum, the
jejunum and the ileum. |
| Spectrometry |
an instrument used for measuring wavelengths of light |
| Spleen |
A maroon, rounded organ in the upper left part of the abdomen, near
the tail of the pancreas. This organ is part of your immune system and
filters the lymph and blood in your body. |
| Squamous cell |
A flat, scale-like cell. |
| Stent |
A slender hollow tube inserted into the body to relieve a blockage.
For example, bladder cancers can narrow the ureter. This can block the
flow of urine. In these cases the flow of urine can be reestablished
by placing a stent into the ureter, through the area of blockage. |
| T - Z |
| Taxol(r) |
Trade / brand name for chemotherapy drug paclitaxel |
| Thrombophlebitis |
An inflammation of the veins accompanied by thrombus formation. It
is sometimes referred to as Trousseau's sign. |
| Thrombus |
A clot within the cardiovascular system. It may occlude (block) the
vessel or may be attached to the wall of the vessel without blocking
the blood flow. |
| Tumor |
This term simply refers to a mass or neoplasm. For example, a collection
of pus is a tumor. This is a general term that can refer to benign or
malignant growths. |
| Ultrasound |
A painless procedure in which high frequency sound waves are used
to generate pictures of the inside of the body. |
| Unresectable |
Unable to be surgically removed. |
| Urologist |
A medical doctor who specializes in the management and surgery of
diseases of the genitourinary tract. |
| Vaccine therapy |
This is a new type of treatment, largely still experimental. It is
a medication made of killed or weakened cells, organisms or manufactured
materials, which is used to boost the body's immune system. Ideally,
this will allow the body to fight and kill the cancer cells more effectively.
Vaccines include whole killed cancer cells or specific proteins from
the cancer. |
