| T-lymphocytes or T-cells:
(limf-o-sites):
white blood cells made in the thymus gland. They produce cytokines and play a large role in the immune response against viruses, transplanted organs and tissues, and cancer cells. See cytokines. |
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| tamoxifen:
(tuh-mok-si-fin):
this drug blocks the effects of estrogen on many organs, such as the breast. Estrogen promotes the growth of some breast cancers. Research suggests that tamoxifen may lower the risk of breast cancer in women with certain risk factors. |
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| targeted therapy: treatment that attacks some part of cancer cells that make them different from normal cells. Targeted therapies tend to have fewer side effects than the general chemotherapy drugs. |
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| Taxol: a drug first made from the bark or needles of yew trees that can now be made in the laboratory. It is used to treat breast, ovarian, and other types of cancer. |
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| terminal: generally understood to mean that the cancer is no longer considered curable, and the patient is dying. |
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| testicles:
(tess-tick-ulls):
the male reproductive glands found in the scrotum. The testicles (or testes) produce sperm and the male hormone testosterone. |
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| testosterone:
(tes-toss-ter-own):
the male hormone, made mostly in the testes. It stimulates blood flow, growth in certain tissues, and the secondary sexual characteristics. In men with prostate cancer, it can also make the tumor grow. |
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| therapy: any of the measures taken to treat a disease, treatment. See also alternative therapy, complementary therapy, and unproven therapy. |
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| thoracic surgeon: a doctor who operates on organs in the chest cavity. |
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| thrombocytopenia:
(throm-bo-sigh-toe-PEEN-e-uh):
a decrease in the number of platelets in the blood; can be a side effect of chemotherapy. See platelets. |
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| tissue: a collection of cells, united to perform a particular function. |
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| TNM Staging: see staging. |
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| toxicity:
(tock-sis-i-tee):
in medical treatment, the harmful effects of a medicine or treatment, especially at higher doses. |
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| trachea:
(tray-key-uh):
the "windpipe." The trachea connects the larynx (voice box) with the bronchi (the 2 large air passages that lead into the lungs) and serves as the main passage for air coming from the nose and mouth into the bronchi and lungs. |
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| tracheostomy:
(tray-key-ah-sto-me):
surgery to create an opening of the trachea through the neck. See trachea. |
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| transrectal ultrasound:
(trans-rec-tul ull-truh-sound):
the use of sound waves to create a picture of the prostate on a screen to help detect tumors. Also called TRUS. |
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| transverse rectus abdominus muscle flap procedure:
(trans-verse rek-tus ab-dom-in-us):
a method of breast reconstruction in which tissue from the lower abdominal wall which receives its blood supply from the rectus abdominus muscle is used. The tissue from this area is moved up to the chest to create a breast mound. An implant is usually not needed. Moving muscle and tissue from the lower abdomen to the chest results in flattening of the lower abdomen (a "tummy tuck"). Also called a TRAM flap or rectus abdominus flap procedure. |
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| tumor: an abnormal lump or mass of tissue. Tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). |
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| tumor flare: short-term worsening of symptoms or cancer markers. |
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| tumor markers: substance produced by cancer cells and sometimes normal cells. They are not very useful for cancer screening because other body tissues not related to a cancer can produce the substance, too. But tumor markers may be very useful in monitoring for response to treatment when a cancer is diagnosed or for a recurrence. Tumor markers include CA 125 (ovarian cancer), CEA (GI tract cancers), and PSA (prostate cancer). |
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| tumor necrosis factor (TNF):
(neck-row-sis):
a substance given off by activated white blood cells that can cause the death of tumor cells. See also necrosis. |
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| tumor suppressor genes: genes that slow down cell division or cause cells to die at the right time. Alterations of these genes can lead to too much cell growth and development of cancer. |
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