| cone biopsy |
A cone shaped piece of cervical tissue is removed, usually requiring a general anesthetic in the operating room. This is a usually used as a bigger biopsy as well as a treatment for precancerous conditions of the cervix.
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| cure |
A cancer is considered to have been cured if, after treatment, remains undetectable for a long period of time. In many cases 5 year survival rate is used as an equivalent to cure. This means that for most cancers, if one lives past 5 years, it is highly unlikely that the cancer will come back. This is not true for all cancers, but is a pretty good rule for gynecologic cancers.
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| cyst |
A cyst is simply a fluid filled structure. A "complex" cyst has internal structures or septations. A cyst with no internal structures (simple cyst) is extremely unlikely to be cancerous at any age. A complex cyst, especially if it contains many solid areas and is larger has a higher chance of being malignant. The chances of malignancy in a complex cyst are also related to age. If the age is greater than 50 and there are more than a few septations, the chances of malignancy approaches 50%. However, it is extremely important that the particulars of your situation and the actual ultrasound films are reviewed by an expert before treatment decision-making.
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| DNA |
Deoxyribonucleic acid. This is the genetic material in the nucleus of a cell. It is composed of long chains of molecules called nucleotides. The specific sequence of a segment of these nucleotides codes for a specific cell function. This segment is a gene. (see GENE)
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| dysplasia |
Pronounced "dis play sha" or "dis play see ah". This is a general term which means abnormal growth process or maturation of cells in the skin lining of the organ involved. In gynecologic conditions, this usually means cervical skin or squamous epithelial lining. Dysplasia is graded from 1 to 3, denoting partial vs. full involvement by abnormal cells in the lining. These changes are also referred to as intraepithelial neoplasia Grade I, II, and III. A grade III intraepithelial neoplasia, or a carcinoma-in-situ is considered a premalignant change that can progress to a cancer. Dysplasias are diagnosed by microscopic examination of a biopsy. (see SQUAMOUS EPITHELIUM).
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| epithelium |
Pronounced "ep ee thee lium. This is a general term describing a lining, which is either external or internal to the body. Skin is an external lining. The lining of the intestinal tract is a glandular lining. Epithelial linings are often exposed to the environment; the air we breathe, the food we eat, the sun exposure etc. Cancers of epithelium are called carcinomas. Cancers of glandular linings are called adenocarcinomas. (see SQUAMOUS EPITHELIUM).
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| gene |
A gene is a specific segment of DNA that determines a specific cell function. Genes control things like eye color, hair color, height and size. An example group of genes that are important to cancer development is the tumor suppressor genes. Such genes control the growth of a cell and its ability to repair itself if it is changed by a mutation (perhaps from an environmental insult). If a tumor suppressor gene mutates and is no longer able to stop the cell from uncontrolled growth then that cell give rise to the development of cancer.
There are hundreds of thousands of genes controlling all processes in the body. Genes are passed down through the generations. Some cancers are partly inherited (BRCA1 and BRCA2 breast and ovarian cancer), but most involve spontaneous or "sporadic" mutation in an individual due to faulty suppressor gene function, environmental insult and other factors.
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| glandular |
The lining covering, or epithelium, of many internal organs like the lining of the stomach, intestine, colon, endocervix(inside the cervical canal), uterus and fallopian tube, as well as other internal organs. Cancers that originate from cells of a glandular lining are called adenocarcinomas.
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| grade |
Many cancers are "graded" according to what they look like under the microscope. If the cancer retains the appearance of the normal structure from which it arose, then it is called well differentiated, or Grade I. If it is difficult to determine the structure of origin, then it is called poorly differentiated or Grade III. Moderately differentiated or Grade II cancers are in between. Clinically, Grade I cancers tend to behave better and are less aggressive than Grade III, which tends to behave the worst. Grade II is in between.
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| hydatidiform |
Pronounced "hy da ti di form" mole (see MOLE).
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| hyperplasia |
Excessive growth, usually of glandular epithelium in various organs. In many cases it can be pre-cancerous.
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| in-situ |
The last part of carcinoma-in-situ is pronounced "sy two". This is premalignant condition. This is not a cancer, but represents abnormal cell changes that precedes a cancer. Since it is not a cancer, treatment is usually simple, curative and the condition is not life-threatening.
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| incidence |
The number of cancers diagnosed in a given population, usually calculated per year.(see PREVALENCE).
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| incidence rate |
The number of new cancers diagnosed per year per 100,000 members of a population.
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| intraepithelial neoplasia |
Precancerous. Same as dysplasia.
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