Medical terminology

Here are brief explanations of some common medical terms.

Adjuvant treatment
Either chemotherapy or radiotherapy given before or after surgery. It's not always possible to remove all of the cancer, and small seedlings may remain. Adjuvant treatment will treat these and reduce the risk of the cancer returning.

Alopecia
Baldness or hair loss

Anti-emetics
Drugs given to help stop nausea and vomiting

Ascites
An over-production of ascitic fluid (a colourless fluid) which builds up in the abdomen. This may be the result of ovarian cancer and can be very uncomfortable. The ascitic fluid can be drained off.

Benign
Non-cancerous growth which may interfere with the function of some organ of the body but does not spread to other parts of the body

Bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy
Removal of both of the fallopian tubes and ovaries

Biopsy
The removal of a sample of tissue so that it can be examined in the laboratory to find out the cause of an illness

Cancer or carcinoma
The name given to a group of diseases that can occur anywhere in the body. Normal cells develop and divide in a controlled way. When someone has cancer, there is uncontrolled abnormal growth of cells resulting in a tumour. Tumours have a tendency to recur, and can spread to other parts of the body.

Carcinogen
A substance capable of producing cancer.

Chemotherapy
The treatment of disease with chemicals that are cytotoxic (cancer-destroying). Chemotherapy drugs are usually given into a vein (intravenously) either directly or via a Hickman or PICC line. In some cases they can also be given orally. These drugs also damage healthy cells, particularly those that are continuously dividing such as cells lining the gut, and those which form the bone marrow and hair. The normal healthy cells will re-grow; the abnormal cells will die.

CT scan - computerised tomography
A series of X-rays of the body which are combined together with aid of a computer to produce cross section like picture of the internal parts of the body. Dye that shows up on X-rays may be given to the patient to enhance the pictures to aid diagnosis. A CT scan can help in establishing the diagnosis of ovarian cancer and the planning of treatment.

Cytology
The microscopic examination of cells.

Diagnosis
Identification of the type of disease that a person is suffering from.

Frozen section
When a small sample of suspicious tissue is removed during an operation to be analysed rapidly while the patient is still under the anaesthetic to help decide on the extent of surgery required. It is usually agreed before the surgery takes place, and is not carried out as a routine procedure.

Grade of tumour
A measurement of how aggressive the tumour is which is determined by analysing the tumour in the laboratory under a microscope

Hickman Line
A thin plastic line which is inserted into a central vein under anaesthetic and which gives access for chemotherapy and taking blood samples without the need to keep using needles. It is held in place by a stitch and needs to be flushed regularly to prevent blockages. The line is taped in place with an occlusive dressing and you can wash and shower normally, although you will be advised not to swim.

Histology
The examination of tissues in order to diagnose the underlying disease.

Immune system
The body's defence system against disease. Immunosuppressive is the name given to a substance, e.g. chemotherapy, which may interfere with this system by suppressing it. Immunotherapy is a treatment that works by trying to increase the effectiveness of the immune system

Isotope scan
A scan that involves the injection into a vein of a weakly radioactive dye - different dyes are used for different organs of the body - which then makes its way to the particular organ of the body so that its function can be observed

Intravenous urogram(IVU)
An Xray investigation which involves injecting a dye into the body via a vein so that the kidneys and urinary system can be investigated

Intramuscular
Given into the muscle -usually by injection.

Intravenous
Given into the vein usually by injection so that the substance can work very quickly

Laparoscopy
A minor operation which involves making a small incision in the abdomen so that a small telescope ( laparoscope )can be inserted. This enables the abdomen to be examined without having to perform a full laparotomy.

Laparotomy
An operation to open the abdomen and examine the internal organs.

Lymphatic system
A network of vessels that transports lymph - a clear fluid that comes from the blood and bathes the tissues. It contains water, protein and minerals and white blood cells. The lymph passes through a series of filters - the lymph nodes - before rejoining the bloodstream.

Lymph nodes
Small pearl-like glands that are connected to the lymph system and filter out stray bacteria or cancer cells. They also produce lymphocytes which are one of the types of white blood cells in the body. When bacteria or cancer cells reach these nodes they can become enlarged.

Lymphoedema
Swelling in the arms or legs which is caused by blockage or damage to the drainage of the lymphatic system. Lymphoedema can happen as result of the cancer itself or as a result of some treatments for cancer, when lymph nodes are removed to avoid further spread of the disease.

Malignant
Maligant tumours are ones that have the ability to invade and destroy surrounding tissues and have the capacity to spread to other more distant parts of the body.

Metastasis
The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another by the lymphatic system or by the blood stream.

MRI scan - magnetic resonance imaging
A scan that uses a magnetic field and radio waves rather than X-rays. With the help of a computer, this can build up a detailed picture of the inside of the body

Omentum
A double layer of membrane that is rich in fatty tissue and lies in front of the intestines like an apron, covering the internal organs.

Oncology
The department of medicine dealing with the treatment of cancer.

Oncologist
A doctor specialising in the treatment of cancer. A clinical oncologist or radiotherapist deals with treatment with radiation and a medical oncologist specialises in treating patients with drugs.

Peripheral stem transplant
Stem cells are removed from the patient's bloodstream and then introduced later on, following high-dose chemotherapy. This ensures that the stem cells are not damaged by the chemotherapy.

PICC line
A line which is inserted into the arm and passes from there into a major blood vessel. It can be used to administer some chemotherapy drugs, thus avoiding the need for intravenous injections. The line needs to be flushed regularly and is taped in place with an occlusive dressing. You can wash and shower normally, although you will be advised not to swim.

Prognosis
An assessment of the likely outlook and progress of a person's disease.

Prophylactic
Treatment aimed at preventing an illness occuring

Radiographer
A member of the healthcare team who takes X-rays and scans.

Radiologist
A doctor who interprets X-rays and scans.

Radiotherapist
A doctor who gives radiotherapy.

Remission
Complete remission means that the cancer is not evident at all at the completion of treatment and may not re-occur for some time, if at all. Incomplete remission means that there is some evidence of cancer at the completion of treatment, although the cancer is no longer active. It may reactivate at some point later.

Secondaries
The (re)occurence of a tumour at another site. The cancer spreads through the blood stream or the lymphatic system.

Staging
The process of working out how far the cancer has spread. This is measured using a set of widely recognised guidelines.

Subcutaneous
Given by injection under the skin

TAHBSO
Total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy. The removal of the uterus (including the cervix) as well as the tubes and ovaries through an incision in the abdomen.

Transvaginal ultrasound
An ultrasound scan (see below) where the picture is taken via a small probe that is inserted into the vagina. A colour flow doppler is an investigation to outline the blood flow through the organ being studied which can be done in conjunction with the transvaginal ultrasound.

Tumour markers, e.g. CA125
Some cancers produce a protein that can be measured in the blood.This can be used to decide whether cancer is present, or how it is responding to treatment. Sometimes, this substance is produced when no cancer is present, so measuring it is not a reliable way to screen for ovarian cancer.

Ultrasound scan
Use of sound waves to build up a picture of the internal organs and disease in a person. This is done by applying gel to the abdomen and using a hand-held probe, just like the scans carried out during pregnancy.