Cancer Legal Glossary: A

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Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome: A viral disease that destroys the body's ability to fight infections, leaving the body susceptible to many other diseases.

Acute Leukemia: A rapidly progressing cancer of the blood-forming tissue (bone marrow).

Acute: Having the abrupt onset of symptoms and a short course - not chronic.

Adenocarcinoma: Cancer that starts in the glandular tissue, such as in the ducts or lobules of the breast.

Adenoma: A benign tumor made up of glandular tissue. For example, an adenoma of the pituitary gland may cause it to produce abnormal amounts of hormones.

Adjuvant Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy given to kill any remaining cancer cells, usually after all detectable tumor is removed by surgery or radiotherapy.

Adjuvant Therapy: Treatment given after the primary treatment to increase the chances of a cure. Adjuvant therapy may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy or hormone therapy.

Adrenal Glands: Two small organs near the kidneys that release hormones.

AFP (Alpha fetoprotein): A tumor marker.

Aggressive: A fast-growing cancer.

Alopecia: The loss of hair, which may include all body hair as well as scalp hair.

Alveoli: Tiny air sacs at the end of the bronchioles in the lungs.

Analgesic: Any drug that relieves pain. Aspirin and acetaminophen are mild analgesics.

Androgens: A family of hormones that promote the development and maintenance of male sex characteristics.

Anemia: A condition in which a decreased number of red blood cells may cause symptoms including tiredness, shortness of breath, and weakness.

Angiogenesis: Blood vessel formation. Tumor angiogenesis is the growth of blood vessels from surrounding tissue to a solid tumor. This is caused by the release of chemicals by the tumor.

Antiangiogenesis: Prevention of the growth of new blood vessels which can feed a tumor.

Antibody Therapy: Treatment with an antibody, a substance that can directly kill specific tumor cells or stimulate the immune system to kill tumor cells.

Antibody: A substance formed by the body to help defend it against infection.

Antiemetic Agent: A drug that prevents or controls nausea and vomiting.

Antifungal Agent: A drug used to treat fungal infections.

Antigen: Any substance that causes the body to produce natural antibodies.

Antineoplastic Agent: A drug that prevents, kills, or blocks the growth and spread of cancer cells.

Apoptosis: Programmed cell death. Apoptosis is controlled by genes that cause a cell to die at a certain time. This type of cell death is different from the process of cell death by decay. Apoptosis can be brought about by some drugs used to treat cancer.

Arrhythmia: An irregular heartbeat.

Asbestos: A natural material that is made up of tiny fibers used in insulations against fire and in tire brake liners. The fibers can cause cancer.

Ascites: Abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen.

Aspiration: Removal of fluid from a cyst or cells from a lump, using a needle and syringe.

Atypical hyperplasia: Cells that are both abnormal (atypical) and increased in number.

Autoimmunity: Conditions in which the body's immune system mistakenly fights and rejects the body's own tissues.

Autologous Bone Marrow Transplantation: A procedure in which bone marrow is removed from a person, stored, and then given back to the person after intensive treatment.

Autologous: Taken from an individual's own tissues, cells, or DNA.

Average Risk: A measure of the chances of getting cancer without the presence of any specific factors known to be associated with the disease.

Axilla: The armpit.

Axillary Nodes: Lymph Nodes also called lymph glands found in the axilla (armpit).

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