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Q

Currently there are no "Q" terms in our dictionary

R

radiation oncologist

A doctor who specializes in using radiation to treat cancer.

radiation therapy

Treatment with high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells or shrink tumors. The radiation may come from outside of the body (external radiation) or from radioactive materials placed directly in the tumor (internal or implant radiation). Radiation therapy may be used to reduce the size of a cancer before surgery, to destroy any remaining cancer cells after surgery, or, in some cases, may be the main treatment.

radiation recall

Inflammation of exposed skin and underlying organs in sites of previous radiation therapy.

rectum

The last part of your large intestine.

red blood cells

Blood cells that carry oxygen to the cells throughout your body.

regression

The reduction of cancer, usually as the result of therapy; it is shown by decreased size of the tumor or tumors.

reinduction

To start over, i.e. a new treatment or protocol

relapse

Reappearance of cancer after a disease-free period.

remission

Complete or partial disappearance of the signs and symptoms of cancer in response to treatment; the period during which a disease is under control. A remission may not be a cure.

renal

Pertaining to your kidneys.

resident

A physician in the second or third year of training after completing medical school

resistance

Your ability to fight off and avoid disease.

respiration

The process of breathing.

respiratory tract

All parts of your body used for breathing.

S

sarcoma

A cancer of connective tissues: bone cartilage, fat, muscle, nerve sheath, blood vessels, or lymphoid system

scan

A study using either x-rays or radioactive isotopes to produce images of internal body organs.

sedative

A drug given to make you drowsy or sleepy.

sedimentation rate (SED)

Sinking velocity of the red blood cells expressed in millimeters per hour. A SED rate that is over 25 or increasing may indicate infection.

seg

A type of white blood cell essential to defend your body against infection.

septicemia/sepsis

A very serious bacterial or fungal blood infection which has usually spread from another site of infection such as skin, bowel, or urinary tract. It is usually associated with high fever, shaking chills, and heavy sweating. It is more likely to occur in patients with very low white blood cells.

shingles - herpes zoster

A viral infection of the nerve endings in the skin with blisters, crusts and severe pain along the course of the involved nerve. It is the same virus that causes chicken pox. Children who have not had chicken pox may get it from contact with someone with shingles.

shock

A serious condition caused by inadequate amounts of blood circulating in your blood stream. Signs of shock include a drop in blood pressure, rapid weak pulse, pale moist clammy skin, being very thirsty and a state of anxiety.

sibling

A brother or sister

simulation

When measurements and x-rays are taken and actual radiation treatment fields are determined.

sinuses

Hollow spaces in the bones of your head.

spinal cord

The cord or nerve tissue that runs through the center of your spinal column connecting your brain to other parts of your body

spinal tap/lumbar puncture

A procedure in which a thin needle is placed in your spinal canal to withdraw a small amount of spinal fluid or to give medicine into the central nervous system through the spinal fluid. If you have leukemia, this fluid is tested for the possible presence of "blasts" cells as well as other elements.

spleen

An organ that filters the blood, removing debris, and old or dying cells from the circulation. It also removes bacteria from the blood during the early stages of severe infections. It frequently becomes enlarged in leukemia and certain other diseases.

staging

The process of finding out whether your cancer has spread and if so, how far. There is more than one system for staging. The TNM system, described below, is one used often. The TNM system for staging gives three key pieces of information: T refers to the size of the Tumor, N describes how far the cancer has spread to nearby Nodes, M shows whether the cancer has spread or Metastasized to other organs of the body. Letters or numbers after the T, N, and M give more details about each of these factors. To make this information clearer, the TNM descriptions can be grouped together into Stages, labeled with Roman numerals. In general, the lower the number, the less the cancer has spread. A higher number means a more serious cancer.

stem cells

Primitive cells in the bone marrow that are important in making red cells, white cells, and platelets.

stomatitis

Mouth sores; can be a side effect of some kinds of chemotherapy.

suppository (rectal or vaginal)

A medicine prepared for insertion into the anus or vagina, where it is generally absorbed into the bloodstream.

susceptible

Tendency to develop a disease if exposed to it; not having immunity.

symptom

A change or sign in the body or its function which indicates disease or infection.

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