Definitions
Removal of a small piece of tumor tissue for diagnosis by microscopic examination.
The treatment of cancer (or other disease) with chemicals that are toxic to the cancer cells.
A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of skin problems.
A surgical procedure in which a tumor is removed and examined under a microscope to check for cancer cells.
A form of therapy that stimulates the immune system to kill or control cancer cells. Also called biochemical therapy or biotherapy.
Glands that produce lymph and that filter out harmful agents (such as bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells).
A highly malignant type of skin cancer that arises in melanocytes, the cells that produce pigment. Melanoma usually begins in a mole.
A cluster of melanocytes and surrounding supportive tissue that usually appears as a tan, brown, or flesh-colored spot on the skin. Also called a nevus.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging. A radiology technique using magnetism, radio waves, and a computer to enhance internal images of the body.
A physician who specializes in treating cancer.
A doctor who identifies diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope.
A diagnostic test that produces images of the body by detecting radiation emitted from a radioactive substance that is administered to the patient.
The treatment of cancer with high-energy X-rays. Also called radiotherapy.
A surgical procedure in which lymph nodes that drain a tumor are identified and examined under a microscope to check for cancer cells.
A system for determining how far a tumor has spread from its point of origin.
An abnormal mass of tissue that results from excessive cell division. Tumors perform no useful body function. They may either be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
A procedure using sound waves that allows physicians and patients to get an inside view of soft tissues and body cavities, without using invasive techniques. It is most commonly used during pregnancy to view the fetus.