| D & C or dilation and curettage:
(die-lay-shun and cure-uh-tazh):
a test in which the cervix is opened slightly so that a sample of tissue from the lining of the uterus can be removed and studied. |
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| dermatologist:
(der-muh-tahl-uh-jist):
a doctor who specializes in skin diseases. |
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| DES: see diethylstilbestrol |
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| detection: finding disease. Early detection means that the disease is found at an early stage, before it has grown large or spread to other sites. Note: many forms of cancer can reach an advanced stage without causing symptoms. Mammography can help find breast cancer early, and the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test is useful in finding prostate cancer. See also screening. |
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| diagnosis: identifying a disease by its signs or symptoms, and by using imaging tests and laboratory findings. For most types of cancer, the earlier a diagnosis of cancer is made, the better the chance for long-term survival. |
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| dietary supplement: a product, such as a vitamin, mineral, or herb, intended to improve health but not to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Because dietary supplements are not considered ?drugs,? their manufacturers do not have to prove they are effective, or even safe. In many cases, studies have found that some do not contain what is listed on the label, and some contain impurities or ingredients not listed. |
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| diethylstilbestrol:
(die-ETH-ul-still-bes-trahl):
a man-made form of estrogen. |
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| dietitian/registered dietitian/nutritionist: an expert in the area of food and diet; a registered dietitian (RD) has at least a bachelor's degree and has passed a national competency exam. The term nutritionist is also used, but there are no educational requirements associated with this title. |
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| differentiation:
(dif-uhr-en-she-A-shun):
the normal process through which cells mature so they can carry out the jobs they were meant to do. Cancer cells are less differentiated than normal cells. Pathologists grade the cells to evaluate and report the degree of a cancer's differentiation. |
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| digital mammography: a method of storing an x-ray image of the breast as a computer image rather than on the usual x-ray film. Digital mammography can be combined with computer-assisted diagnosis (CAD), a process in which the radiologist uses the computer to help interpret or "read" the mammogram. |
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| digital rectal exam (DRE): an exam in which the doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum to feel for anything not normal. This simple test, which is not painful, can detect many rectal cancers and some prostate cancers. |
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| disease-free survival rate: the percentage of people with a certain cancer who still have no evidence of disease (cancer) at a certain period of time (usually 5 years) after treatment. |
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| dissection:
(di-sek-shun):
surgery to divide, separate, or remove tissues. See also axillary dissection. |
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| distant cancer: cancer that has spread far from its original location or primary site to distant organs or lymph nodes. Sometimes called distant metastases. See also primary site; compare to local or localized cancer. |
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| DNA or Deoxyribonucleic acid:
(dee-ok-see-ri-bo-new-CLEE-ick):
the genetic "blueprint" found in the nucleus of each cell. DNA holds genetic information on cell growth, division, and function. See also mutation. |
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| DNA repair: the process of correcting the genetic mistakes that are made each time a cell divides. If the repair process does not go right, it can increase the chances of a person having some forms of cancer. |
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| dopamine:
(dope-uh-meen):
a chemical messenger in the brain and nervous system. Dopamine is thought to control balance, movement, and other body functions. It also affects the mood and is linked to feelings of pleasure. |
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| dosimetrist:
(do-sim-uh-trist ):
a person who plans and calculates the proper radiation dose for cancer treatment. |
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| doubling time: for cancer in general, the time it takes for a cell to divide or for a cancer to double itself in size. Cancers vary in doubling time from 8 to 600 days, averaging 100 to 120 days. Thus, a cancer may be present for many years before it can be found. |
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| DRE: see digital rectal exam |
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| drug resistance: refers to the ability of cancer cells to become resistant to the effects of the chemotherapy drugs used to treat cancer. |
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| duct ectasia:
(ek-ta-zhuh):
widening of the ducts of the breast, often related to breast inflammation called periductal mastitis. Duct ectasia is a benign (not cancerous) condition. Symptoms of this condition are a nipple discharge, swelling, retraction of the nipple, or a lump that can be felt. |
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| ductal carcinoma in situ or DCIS:
(ductal car-sin-o-ma in sy-too):
cancer cells that start in the milk passages (ducts) but have not grown through the duct walls into the surrounding tissue. This is a highly curable form of breast cancer that is treated with surgery, or surgery plus radiation therapy. Also called intraductal carcinoma. |
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| durable power of attorney for health care: a legal document that allows you to appoint a person to make medical decisions for you if you become unable to do so for yourself. This is a type of advanced directive. See also advanced directive. |
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| dysphagia:
(dis-fay-zhe-uh):
having trouble swallowing or eating. |
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| dysplasia:
(dis-play-zhuh):
abnormal changes of groups of cells that may lead to cancer. |
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