| B-lymphocytes or B-cells:
(limf-o-sites):
white blood cells that help make antibodies. |
 |
|
|
| barium enema:
(bear-ee-um en-uh-muh):
a method used to help diagnose colorectal cancer. Barium sulfate, a chalky substance, is used to enlarge and partly fill the colon. When the colon is about half-full of barium, air is pushed in to cause the colon to expand further. This allows good x-ray films to be taken. Also called a double contrast barium enema. |
|
|
|
| basal cell carcinoma: the most common type of skin cancer. It begins in the lowest layer of the epidermis, called the basal cell layer. It usually develops on sun-exposed areas, especially the head and neck. Basal cell cancer grows slowly and is not likely to spread to distant parts of the body. |
|
|
|
| basic science: lab studies that are not aimed at specific problems, but that provide the knowledge and background required for later applied research. |
|
|
|
| behavioral research: research into what motivates people to act as they do. The results of such research can be used to help encourage people to adopt healthy lifestyles and follow life-saving screening and treatment guidelines. |
|
|
|
| benign:
(be-nine):
not cancer; not malignant. |
|
|
|
| benign prostatic hyperplasia:
(be-nine pros-tat-tick hi-per-PLAY-zhuh):
non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate that may cause problems with urination such as trouble starting and stopping the flow. Also referred to as BPH. |
|
|
|
| benign tumor:
(be-nine):
an abnormal growth that is not cancer and does not spread to other areas of the body. |
|
|
|
| beta carotene: a form of vitamin A that is found mainly in yellow and orange vegetables and fruits. It functions as an antioxidant and may play a role in cancer prevention. However, high doses of beta carotene supplements in smokers may increase lung cancer risk. |
|
|
|
| Bethesda criteria:
(beth-ez-duh cry-teer-ree-yuh):
a set of conditions that are common to people with hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC). Most people who meet these criteria actually do not have HNPCC, but may want to consider further testing for it. Compare to Amsterdam criteria. See also hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer. |
|
|
|
| bilateral:
(bi-lat-er-ul):
on both sides of the body; for example, bilateral breast cancer is cancer in both breasts. Compare to unilateral. |
|
|
|
| biologic response modifiers: substances that boost the body's immune system to fight against cancer; interferon is one example. Also called biologic therapy. |
|
|
|
| biomarkers: See tumor markers. |
|
|
|
| biopsy:
(by-op-see):
the removal of a sample of tissue to see whether cancer cells are present. There are several kinds of biopsies. In some, a very thin needle is used to draw fluid and cells from a lump. In a core biopsy, a larger needle is used to remove more tissue. |
|
|
|
| bladder: a hollow organ in the pelvis with flexible, muscular walls. The bladder stores urine as it is produced by the kidneys. |
|
|
|
| blood count: a count of the number of red blood cells and white blood cells in a given sample of blood. |
|
|
|
| bone marrow: the soft, spongy tissue in the hollow middle of flat bones of the body where new blood cells are made. |
|
|
|
| bone marrow aspiration and biopsy: a procedure in which a needle is placed into the cavity of a bone, usually the hip or breast bone, to remove a small amount of bone marrow so that it can be looked at under a microscope. |
|
|
|
| bone marrow transplant: a treatment that restores blood-forming stem cells that have been destroyed by high doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. The bone marrow may come from the patient (autologous) or a donor (allogeneic.) See autologous bone marrow transplant, allogeneic bone marrow transplant, andstem cell transplant. |
|
|
|
| bone scan: an imaging method that gives important information about the bones, including the location of cancer that may have spread to the bones. It can be done on an outpatient basis and is painless, except for the needle stick when a low-dose radioactive substance is injected into a vein. Pictures are taken to see where the radioactivity collects, pointing to an abnormality. |
|
|
|
| bone survey (skeletal): an x-ray of all the bones of the body; often done when looking for cancer that has spread to the bones. |
|
|
|
| BPH: see benign prostatic hyperplasia |
|
|
|
| brachytherapy:
(brake-ee-THER-uh-pee):
internal radiation treatment given by placing radioactive seeds or pellets directly into the tumor or close to it. Also called interstitial radiation therapy or seed implantation. |
|
|
|
| brain scan: an imaging method used to find anything not normal in the brain, including brain cancer and cancer that has spread to the brain from other places in the body. This scan can be done in an outpatient clinic. It is painless, except for the needle stick when a radioactive substance is injected into a vein. The pictures taken will show where radioactivity collects, indicating an abnormality. |
|
|
|
| BRCA1: a gene which, when damaged (mutated), places a woman at much greater risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer, compared with women who do not have the mutation. |
|
|
|
| BRCA2: a gene which, when damaged or mutated, puts the woman at a much higher risk for developing breast cancer and/or ovarian cancer than the general population. |
|
|
|
| breast cancer: cancer that starts in the breast. The main types of breast cancer are ductal carcinoma in situ, invasive ductal carcinoma, lobular carcinoma in situ, invasive lobular carcinoma, medullary carcinoma, and Paget's disease of the nipple (see definitions under these headings). Some breast specialists believe that lobular carcinoma in situ is not a true cancer. |
|
|
|
| breast conservation therapy or breast-conserving therapy: surgery to remove a breast cancer and a small area of normal tissue around the cancer without removing any other part of the breast. The lymph nodes under the arm may be removed, and radiation therapy is also often given after the surgery. This method is also called lumpectomy, segmental excision, limited breast surgery, or tylectomy. |
|
|
|
| breast implant: a sac used to increase breast size or restore the contour of a breast after mastectomy. The sac is filled with silicone gel (a synthetic material) or sterile saltwater (saline). |
|
|
|
| breast reconstruction: surgery that rebuilds the breast contour after mastectomy. A breast implant or the woman's own tissue is used. If desired, the nipple and areola may also be re-created. Reconstruction can be done at the time of mastectomy or any time later. |
|
|
|
| breast self-exam (BSE): a way to check one's own breasts for lumps or suspicious changes. Women over age 20 might choose to do BSE regularly, usually at a time other than the days before, during, or immediately after her menstrual period. |
|
|
|
| bronchi:
(brong-ki):
in the lungs, the two main air passages leading from the windpipe (trachea). The bronchi provide a passage for air to move in and out of the lungs. |
|
|
|
| bronchiole:
(brong-key-ol):
one of the smaller sub-divisions of the bronchi. |
|
|
|
| bronchoscopy:
(brong-kos-kuh-pee):
looking at the bronchi using a flexible, lighted tube called a bronchoscope. |
|
|
|
