| watchful waiting: in some cases of prostate cancer, close monitoring that is done instead of starting active treatment right away. This may be a reasonable choice for older men with small tumors that might grow very slowly. If the situation changes, active treatment can be started. Also called expectant management. |
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| white blood cells (WBCs): blood cells that help defend the body against infections. There are many types of white blood cells. Certain cancer treatments such as chemotherapy can reduce the number of these cells and make a person more likely to get infections. |
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| wire localization: a method used during a surgical breast biopsy when the lump is hard to find or when there is an area that looks suspicious on the x-ray. A thin, hollow needle is placed into the breast and x-rays are taken to guide the needle to the area in question. A fine wire is inserted through the center of the needle. A small hook at the end of the wire keeps it in place. The hollow needle is then removed, and the surgeon uses the path of the wire as a guide to find the abnormal area to be removed. |
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