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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z adjuvant - A treatment that is added to increase the response to treatment or the cure rate. For example the addition of chemotherapy or radiotherapy after surgery to improve the chance of controlling the cancer. advanced cancer - Cancer that has spread past the site of origin to other organs. ascites - Collection of fluid in the abdominal cavity. Can cause abdominal swelling, feeling of fullness or nausea. atypia - Slight changes in the cells e.g. of the cervix or lining of the uterus.
benign - Not cancerous. biopsy - The removal of a small amount of tissue from the body, for examination under a microscope, to help diagnose a disease. brachytherapy - A type of radiotherapy treatment that implants radioactive material sealed in needles or seeds into or near the tumour.
CA125 - A protein found in the blood. This protein is often higher than normal in women with ovarian cancer. High levels may also occur in women with common gynaecological conditions such as endometriosis or fibroids. cervix - The end of the uterus that forms a canal and extends into the vagina chemotherapy - The use of drugs, which kill or slow cell growth, to treat cancer. These are called cytotoxic drugs. Chemotherapy is medication that is administered either through a drip into the vein, by oral tablet, or occasionally by injection into a body cavity. This medication is poisonous to cancer cells. Chemotherapy is given to try and kill off any cancer cells that are in the body. CIN - Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia. This means abnormal changes or growth in the surface layers of the cervix. These changes are not cancer but warn that cancer may develop in the future. CIN is graded 1, 2, 3. CIN 3 means the most severe changes. clinical trial - A research study that tests new and better ways of improving health. clitoris - It is made up of erectile tissue with rich sensory nerve endings. The clitoris becomes erect during arousal. colposcopy - The examination of the cervix with a magnifying instrument called a colposcope, to check for abnormalities cone biopsy - The removal of a cone-shaped piece of the cervix. It may be used to both diagnose and treat cervical cancer. cytotoxic drug - Any drug that has a toxic effect on cells; commonly used in chemotherapy to inhibit the growth of cancerous cells.
endocervical cells - The cells lining the inside of the cervix. endometrium - The inner lining of the uterus or womb. epithelial abnormality of the cervix - Changes in the cells of the cervix. These changes may be low grade or high grade. epithelium - The cells that make up the internal and external surfaces of the body, for example, skin, inside of lungs, ovaries. external beam radiotherapy - Uses x-rays directed from an external machine.
fallopian tubes - The two long, finger-like tubes that extend from the uterus to the ovaries. The Fallopian tubes carry fertilised eggs from the ovary to the uterus. familial - Indicates a condition that can be inherited. fertility - Ability to have children.
genitals - The sexual organs. germ cells - Cells that produce eggs in females. Germ cell cancers can occur in the ovaries. gynaecological oncologist - A doctor who specialises in treating diseases of the female reproductive system - ovary, endometrium, cervix, vulva and vagina.
hormone - A substance that affects how your body works. Some hormones control growth, others control reproduction. They are distributed around the body through the bloodstream. hormone replacement - The use of hormones to treat the symptoms of menopause. hormone therapy/treatment - A treatment to block the body's natural hormones that help cancer grow. Human Papilloma Virus - Also called HPV or wart virus. A group of viruses that can cause infection in the skin surface of different areas of the body, including the genital area. hysterectomy - The surgical removal of the uterus.
labia majora - The outer lips of the vagina. labia minora - The inner lips of the vagina. These join at the top to cover the clitoris with a fatty hood. laparotomy - A surgical cut made in the abdomen to allow the doctor to examine some of the organs in the lower abdomen and pelvis. lymphadenectomy - Removal of the lymph glands from a part of the body. lymphoedema - Swelling caused by a build-up of lymph fluid. This happens when lymph nodes do not drain properly, usually after lymph glands are removed. lymph nodes - Also called lymph glands. Small, bean-shaped collections of lymph cells scattered across the lymphatic system. They get rid of bacteria and other harmful things. There are lymph nodes in the neck, armpit, groin and abdomen. lymph vessels - A network of thin tubes that spread into tissues all over the body. lymphatic system - A network of vessels that carry a clear fluid called lymph from the body's tissues to the bloodstream. The lymphatic system is part of the body's immune system and helps the body fight infection.
malignant - Cancer. Malignant cells can spread (metastasise) and can eventually cause death if they cannot be treated. menopause - The time when women stop having periods, usually between the ages of 45 and 55. metastasis - Also known as a secondary cancer. A cancer that has spread from another part of the body.
nausea - Feeling sick or wanting to be sick.
oestrogen - The main female sex hormone produced mostly by the ovaries. Oestrogen regulates the menstrual cycle and prepares the breasts for milk production. oncologist - A doctor who specialises in the study and treatment of cancer. oncology The study of tumours or cancer. oophorectomy - The removal of one or both ovaries. ovary - The main female reproductive organ. They are two small almond-shaped glands found on either side of the uterus, close to the end of the Fallopian tubes. The ovaries contain and release an egg about once a month in fertile women. They also produce the sex hormones, oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone. ovulation - The release of an egg during the menstrual cycle. ovum - The female egg produced by the ovary.
palliative care/treatment - Treatment to relieve symptoms without trying to cure the disease. Pap smear - Also called Pap test. A test that can detect changes in cervical cells. Some cells are scraped off the cervix and sent to a laboratory for examination under a microscope. peritoneum - The lining of the abdomen.primary cancer The original cancer. Cells from the primary cancer may break away and be carried to other parts of the body, where secondary cancers form. progesterone - A female sex hormone produced mostly by the ovaries. prognosis - The likely outcome of a person's disease.
radiation oncologist - A doctor who specialises in treating cancer with radiotherapy. recurrent cancer - A cancer that grows from the cells of a primary cancer that have evaded treatment. remission - Period of time when the symptoms of the cancer reduce or disappear. A partial remission is when there has been a significant improvement in the cancer. A complete remission is when there is no evidence of active disease. This does not necessarily mean that the cancer is cured.
secondary cancer - Also called a metastasis. A tumour that has spread from the original site to another part of the body. sentinel node - A lymph node that a tumour drains into through the lymphatic system. sex-cord stromal cells - Cells of the ovary that release the female hormones. stage - The extent of a cancer and whether the disease has spread from an original site to other parts of the body. staging - Tests to find out how far a cancer has spread. standard treatment - The best proven treatment, based on results of past research. stoma - An artificial opening into the body created by surgery to act as an exit for body wastes. supportive care - Improving the comfort and quality of life for people with cancer.
transvaginal ultrasonography - An examination in which an ultrasound instrument is inserted into the vagina to give a clear picture of the inside of the uterus and the ovaries.
uterus - A muscular organ located between the bladder and the bowel. It holds and nourishes a fertilised egg. Also called the womb.
vagina - A muscular canal about eight to 10 centimetres long that extends from the entrance of the uterus to the outer sex organs. Also called the birth canal. vulva - The outer sex organs. They include the mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora and the clitoris. vulvodynia - Pain in the vulva area.
womb - See uterus.
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