Best Doctors

Best Doctors 2013: Medical Speak

Feb. 16, 2013 | 5:00 AM

[Alopecia]

Hair loss; alopecia is often the result of certain types of cancer treatment.

[Cancer]

The general term for many diseases in which abnormal cells grow and spread uncontrollably.

[Chemotherapy]

[Radiation Therapy]

The use of high-energy radiation from X-rays, gamma rays, etc. to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.

[Platelet]

Small cells in blood that the body uses for clotting; high platelet counts can be an indication of cancer.

[Myelosuppression]

A decrease in red blood cell, white blood cell and platelet counts caused by cancer treatment, namely chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

[Neoplasm]

The medical term for a tumor (benign or malignant); a neoplasm is an abnormal mass of tissue that occurs when cells multiply or grow abnormally.

[Staging]

A series of tests and exams to determine the extent of  cancer in the body and treatment measures.

[Immunotherapy]

A treatment for cancer and other diseases through artificial stimulation of the body's immune system.

[Carcinoma in situ]

The earliest stage of cancer during which the tumor is confined to one local area.

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