| ileostomy:
(ill-ee-OSS-tuh-me):
an operation in which the end of the small intestine, the ileum, is brought out through an opening in the abdomen. Unformed, liquid stool leaves the intestine through this opening into a bag called an appliance. |
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| imaging studies: methods used to make pictures of internal body structures. Some imaging methods used to help diagnose or stage cancer are x-rays, CT scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound. |
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| immune system: the complex system by which the body resists infection by germs, such as bacteria or viruses, and rejects transplanted tissues or organs. The immune system may also help the body fight some cancers. |
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| immunocytochemistry or immunohistochemistry:
(im-yuh-no-sy-toe-KEM-iss-tree or im-yuh-no-his-toe-KEM-iss-tree):
a laboratory test that uses antibodies to detect specific chemical antigens in cells or tissue samples viewed under a microscope. This procedure can be used to help detect and classify cancer cells. It is also one of the methods used for estrogen receptor assays and progesterone receptor assays. See also monoclonal antibodies. |
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| immunology:
(im-yuh-nahl-uh-jee):
study of how the body resists infection and certain other diseases. Knowledge gained in this field is important to those cancer treatments based on the principles of immunology. |
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| immunosuppression:
(im-yuh-no-suh-PREH-shun):
a state in which the ability of the body's immune system to respond is decreased. This condition may be present at birth, or it may be caused by certain infections (such as human immunodeficiency virus or HIV) or by certain cancer therapies (such as cancer-cell killing (cytotoxic) drugs, radiation, and bone marrow transplant). |
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| immunotherapy:
(im-yuh-no-THER-uh-pee):
treatments that promote or support the body's immune system response to a disease such as cancer. |
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| implant: a small amount of radioactive material placed in or near a cancer. Also, an artificial form used to restore the shape of an organ after surgery, for example, a breast implant. |
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| impotence:
(im-puh-tense):
not being able to have or keep an erection of the penis. |
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| in situ:
(in-sy-too):
in place; localized and confined to one area. A very early stage of cancer. |
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| incidence:
(in-sih-dens):
the number of new cases of a disease that occur in a group of people each year. Compare to prevalence. |
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| incision:
(in-sih-zhun):
a cut made during surgery. |
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| incontinence:
(in-kon-tuh-nence):
partial or complete loss of urinary or bowel control. |
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| indigent:
(in-dij-ent):
not having enough money to meet one?s needs. |
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| informed consent: a legal document that explains a course of treatment, the risks, benefits, and possible alternatives; also the process by which patients agree to treatment. |
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| infraclavicular nodes:
(in-fruh-kluh-VICK-yuh-ler):
lymph nodes located under the collar bone (clavicle). |
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| ingest:
(in-jest):
to take in by mouth; to eat or drink. |
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| inherited disease: illness to which a person is susceptible because of a gene passed from his or her parents at birth. Examples of inherited diseases related to colorectal cancer include hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer or familial adenomatous polyposis. See mutation. |
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| interferon:
(in-ter-fear-on):
a protein produced by cells. Interferon helps regulate the body's immune system, boosting activity when a threat, such as a virus, is found. Scientists have learned that interferon helps fight against cancer, so it is used to treat some types of cancer. |
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| interleukins:
(in-ter-loo-kins):
See cytokine. |
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| internal radiation: treatment in which a radioactive substance is implanted in the body. See brachytherapy. Compare to external beam radiation therapy. |
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| interstitial radiation therapy:
(in-ter-stih-shul):
a type of treatment in which a radioactive implant is placed directly into the tissue (not in a body cavity). |
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| intestines:
(in-test-ins):
the part of the digestive tract from the end of the stomach (pylorus) to the anus, which absorbs nutrients and water from food into the bloodstream. It includes the small intestine, which is sometimes called the small bowel, and the large intestine, which is also called the large bowel or colon. |
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| intravenous (IV): a method of giving fluids and medicines using a needle or a thin tube that is put into a vein. |
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| intravenous pyelogram:
(in-tra-veen-us pile-uh-gram):
a special kind of x-ray procedure. A dye is injected into the bloodstream. It travels to the kidneys, ureters and bladder and helps to clearly outline these organs on the x-rays. Referred to as IVP. |
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| invasive cancer: cancer that has spread beyond the layer of cells where it first developed and has grown into nearby tissues. |
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| invasive ductal carcinoma: a cancer that starts in the milk passages (ducts) of the breast and then breaks through the duct wall, where it invades the fatty tissue of the breast. When it reaches this point, it can spread (metastasize) elsewhere in the breast, as well as to other parts of the body through the bloodstream and lymphatic system. Invasive ductal carcinoma is the most common type of breast cancer, accounting for about 80% of breast malignancies. Also known as infiltrating ductal carcinoma. |
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| invasive lobular carcinoma: a cancer that starts in the milk-producing glands (lobules) of the breast and then breaks through the lobule walls and grows into the nearby fatty tissue. From there, it may spread elsewhere in the breast. About 15% of invasive breast cancers are invasive lobular carcinomas. It is often hard to detect by physical examination or even by mammography. Also called infiltrating lobular carcinoma. |
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| investigational: under study; often used to describe drugs used in clinical trials that are not yet available to the general public. |
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| IVP: see intravenous pyelogram |
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