Glossary (What does that word mean?)

adjuvant chemotherapy – treatment of cancer with drugs to aid or assist another treatment.

benign – a tumour that is not malignant, not cancerous, and won’t spread to another part of your body.

carcinoma in situ – a malignant tumour that is confined to its original site.

cells – the ‘building blocks’ of the body. A human is made of millions of cells, which are adapted for different functions. Cells are able to reproduce themselves exactly, unless they are abnormal or damaged, as are cancer cells.

genes – the tiny factors that govern the way the body’s cells grow and behave. Each person has a set of many thousands of genes inherited from both parents. Genes are found in every cell of the body.

infusion pump – some chemotherapy drugs can be given via an infusion pump which is a small portable device allowing the patient to have their chemotherapy at home. There are several types of pumps available, all designed to deliver a measured dose of medication continuously.

lumbar puncture – insertion of a hollow needle into the lower spinal canal to withdraw fluid for diagnosis or to give drugs.

malignant – a tumour that is cancerous and likely to spread if it is not treated.

metastasis (plural = metastases) – a cancer that has grown in a different part of the body because of the spread of cancer cells from the original site. For example, someone with breast cancer may have metastases in their bones, also called secondary cancer.

palliative – controlling the symptoms of a disease rather than curing it.

primary – a malignant tumour starts in one site of the body where it is known as the primary tumour.

tumour – a swelling or lump. Tumours can be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).