Cancer and Oncology Terms

Initial treatment used to reduce a cancer.

Initial treatment used to reduce a cancer.

One of a group of cancers that develop from the same type of early cells, and share certain biochemical and genetic features.

A synthetic hydroxamic acid derivative with potential antineoplastic activity.

The active ingredient in a drug that is used to treat advanced Hodgkin lymphoma and is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.

The hydrochloride salt of a methylhydrazine derivative with antineoplastic and mutagenic activities.

A protein found inside the cells of the female reproductive tissue, some other types of tissue, and some cancer cells.

A lab test to find out if cancer cells have progesterone receptors (proteins to which the hormone progesterone will bind).

The point at which a disease is judged to be gaining ground, decided by measurement rather than by how a person feels.

Cancer that is growing, spreading, or getting worse.

A measure of the number of cells in a tumor that are dividing (proliferating).

A type of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), in which too many immature white blood cells (prolymphocytes) are found in the blood and bone marrow.

A drug given during chemotherapy to increase blood cell regeneration.

A substance that is being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.

An aggressive (fast-growing) type of acute myeloid leukemia in which there are too many immature blood-forming cells in the blood and bone marrow.

Radiation therapy to the head to reduce the risk that cancer will spread to the brain.

Breast removal chosen before any cancer exists, lowering risk sharply while never quite reducing it to zero.

Surgery intended to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer by removing the ovaries before disease develops.

Surgery to remove an organ or gland that shows no signs of cancer, in an attempt to prevent development of cancer of that organ or gland.

A monoclonal antibody that is being studied in the detection and treatment of cancer.