Listing for the letter c: CA27-29 - tumor marker often expressed in patients with breast cancer. CAF - C- cyclophosphamide/cytoxan AND A- doxorubicin/adriamycin AND F- 5-flourouricil/ 5-FU. A common chemotherapy regimen used to treat breast cancer. Cancer - A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and can spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body. Carcinogen - A substance that is known/or associated with developing cancer. Carcinogenesis - The process by which normal cells transform into cancer cells. Carcinoma - A malignant tumor arising from epithelial cells. Carcinoma-in-situ - Cancer that is still within its site of origin and has not spread to other tissues. cardiac - Pertaining to the heart. cardiotoxic - drugs which can damage the heart. carmustine - A chemotherapy agent used often to treat brain tumors, lymphomas and multiple myeloma. Belongs to the class of drugs known as nitrosureas. Cartilage - The rubbery tissue that cushions bones at joints and also connects muscles with bones. It also makes up other parts of the body, such as the larynx and the outside of the ears. CAT scan - A procedure in which a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body are created by linking a computer and x-ray machine. Also called computed tomography scan or computed axial tomography scan. Catheter - A tubular medical device that is inserted into canals, blood vessels, or body cavities, usually to permit injection of fluids, withdrawal of fluids or to keep a passage open. Cauterization - The use of heat to seal off a bleeding vessel, or tissue during a surgical procedure. cavitation - The formation of cavities in a body tissue or an organ. CBC - Term used for a blood test which captures the white blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelet counts. CCNU - A chemotherapy drug also called lomustine used most often to treat brain tumors, lymphoma and malignant melanoma. Belongs to the class of drugs known as the nitrosureas. CEA - A laboratory test to measure the level of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), a substance that is sometimes found in an increased amount in the blood of patients with certain cancers. Cell - The basic unit of any living organism. Cell differentiation - The process during which young, immature (unspecialized) cells take on individual characteristics and reach their mature (specialized) form and function. Cell proliferation - An increase in the number of cells as a result of cell growth and cell division. Central Nervous System - The part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord. Supervises and coordinates the activity of the entire sensorimotor system. central venous catheter - Also called a central line. A device which is placed surgically, in a vein in the chest, which allows for the painless infusion of fluids including chemotherapy,and also to withdraw blood, for blood tests. cerebellar - of, relating to, or affecting the cerebellum. Cerebellum - The portion of the brain in the back of the head between the cerebrum and the brain stem. It is responsible for the coordination of muscles and maintaining the body"s equilibrium. Cerebral hemispheres - The two halves of the cerebrum. Cerebrospinal fluid - The watery fluid secreted by the blood flowing around the brain and spinal cord, to maintain uniform pressure within the brain and spinal cord. Also called CSF. Cerebrum - The largest part of the brain. It is divided into two hemispheres, or halves, and is responsible for conscious mental processes. Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia - A general term for the growth of abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix. Cervix - The lower, narrow end of the uterus that forms a canal between the uterus and vagina. Chelation - Therapy involves a series of intravenous injections of a binding (chelation) agent to remove toxic metals and waste from the blood stream. The binding agent travels through the blood stream soaking up toxic metals and waste, which are removed from the body in the patient"s urine. Chemoprevention - The use of natural or laboratory made substances to prevent cancer. chemoresponsive - A tumor or disease which responds to chemotherapy. A tumor or disease is considered reponsive if it shrinks in size, following chemotherapy. Chemotherapy - Treatment using drugs to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Chemotherapy is called a systemic treatment because the drugs enter the bloodstream and can kill cancer cells throughout the body. ChlVPP - Chl-Chlorambucil V-Vinblastine P-Procarbazine P-Prednisone A common chemotherapy regimen used for the treatment of Hodgkin"s Disease. Cholangiosarcoma - A malignancy arising anywhere in the biliary tree or bile ducts. Chondrosarcoma - A sarcoma containing cartilage cells. Chordoma - A malignant tumor that occurs usually at the base of skull, or the base of the spinal cord (coccyx). This tumor is derived from the remnants of the embryonic notocord. Chromosome - One of the bodies in the cell nucleus that contains genetic material. There are normally 46 in humans. The numbers or shapes of chromosomes may be altered in certain malignancies. Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia - Myelogenous leukemia marked by an increase in immature and mature white blood cells. Has a slower progression than acute leukemia. Chronic phase - Refers to the early stages of chronic myelogenous leukemia. The number of immature, abnormal white blood cells in the bone marrow and blood is higher than normal, but lower than in the "accelerated" or "blast" phase. Clinical trials - A scientific test of the effectiveness and safety of a therapeutic agent(drugs, vaccines) using consenting human subjects.Most trials are designed to investigate better ways to prevent, detect, diagnose, or treat cancer and to answer scientific questions. CMF - C- Cyclophosphamide AND M- Methotrexate AND F- 5-Flourouricil. A chemotherapy regimen used in the treatment of breast cancer. CMV - Cytomegalovirus, a virus which lies dormant in many peoples bodies, and may cause infection, when patients are immunosuppressed. CNS prophylaxis - Chemotherapy or radiation therapy given to kill cancer cells that may be in the brain and spinal cord (CNS or central nervous system), even though no cancer has been detected there. This is a preventive treatment. coagulation - The bodies process of forming blood clots to aid in the process of healing and to stop bleeding. Colectomy - An operation to remove all or part of the colon. In a partial colectomy, the surgeon removes only the cancerous part of the colon and a small amount (called a margin) of surrounding healthy tissue. collagen - A fibrous protein that comprises our skin and tendons. Colon - The long, coiled, tubelike organ that removes water from digested food. The remaining material, solid waste called stool, moves through the colon to the rectum and leaves the body through the anus. Colonoscope - A flexible, lighted instrument used to view the inside of the colon. Colonoscopy - An examination in which the doctor looks at the colon through a flexible, lighted instrument called a colonoscope. Colony-stimulating factors - Synthetic sunbstances that stimulate the production and differentiation of blood cells. Treatment with colony-stimulating factors (CSF) can assist the bloods recovery from the effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Colorectal - Related to the colon and/or rectum. Colostomy - A surgical procedure that creates an opening into the colon from outside the body that provides a new path for waste material to leave the body after part of the colon has been removed. Colposcopy - A procedure in which a lighted magnifying instrument (called a colposcope) is used to examine the vagina and cervix. Combination chemotherapy - Treatment in which two or more chemotherapy drugs are used to obtain more effective results. Common bile duct - One of the two major bile ducts that carry bile. The common bile duct empties into the upper part of the small intestine. Computed tomography - A procedure in which a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body are created by linking a computer and x-ray machine. Also called a computed axial tomography scan, CAT scan or CT scan. conditioning - Conization - A surgical procedure to remove a cone-shaped piece of tissue from the cervix and cervical canal. Also called cone biopsy. Continent reservoir - A pouch formed from a piece of small intestine to hold urine after the bladder has been removed. Corpus - The main part or body of a bodily structure or organ. Craniopharyngioma - A tumor of the brain near the pituitary gland. Seen most often in children and young adults. Often associated with increased intracranial pressure. Craniotomy - An operation in which an opening is made in the skull so a surgeon can reach the brain. cryopreservation - To preserve by freezing. Usually bone marrow, or stem cells to be used in future transplants. Cryosurgery - A treatment in which abnormal tissues are frozen, usually with liquid nitrogen and destroyed. CSRA - Chemo Sensitivity and Resistance Assay - test that uses a sample of tumor in the lab to test against different combinations of chemotherapy drugs to see which works best in killing this particular tumor"s cells. CT scan - A procedure in which a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body are created by linking a computer and x-ray machine. Also called computed tomography scan or computed axial tomography scan. culture - Something used to determine the site and organism suspected in an infection. Or a medium used to grow or incubate cells. Curettage - A procedure which involves the removal of tissue with a curette. Curette - A spoon-shaped instrument with a sharp edge. Cutaneous - Related to the skin. CXR - CXR- Abbreviation for chest x-ray. cyclophosphamide - A chemotherapy agent used in a variety of malignacies. It is an alkylating agent, that inhibits protein synthesis. Also called neosar and cytoxan. Cyst - A sac or capsule filled with fluid. Cystectomy - The surgical removal of a cyst or the removal of all or a portion of the urinary bladder. Cystoscope - An instrument that allows the doctor to see inside the bladder and remove tissue samples or small tumors. Cystoscopy - A procedure in which the doctor inserts a lighted instrument into the urethra (the tube leading from the bladder to the outside of the body) to look at the bladder. cytogenetics - The analysis of the number and shape of chromosomes in cells. Often used to further classify malignancies. Especially leukemias and lymphomas. cytomegalovirus - Cytomegalovirus, a virus which lies dormant in many peoples bodies, and may cause infection, when patients are immunosuppressed. Also called CMV. cytoprotective - an agent given in conjunction with chemotherapy to protect certain cells, for example the cells of the heart or kidney. cytoreduce - To reduce the total number of circulating cells in the body. Often done with chemotherapy, surgery or immunosuppresive medications. cytoxan - A chemotherapy agent used in a variety of malignacies. It is an alkylating agent, that inhibits protein synthesis. Also called neosar and cyclophosphamide.