Cancer Legal Glossary: D

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Debulking: A procedure used for advanced cases of cancer, frequently applied to the treatment of ovarian cancer. The ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus are all removed, as well as any cancer deposits the surgeon can see, in an effort to remove as many cancer cells as possible from the body.

Diaphragm: The thin muscle below the lungs and heart that separates the chest from the abdomen.

Diathermy: Heat is carefully used to destroy and remove unhealthy cells.

Digital Rectal Examination: An examination in which a physician inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum to feel for abnormalities.

Dilation and Curettage: (D&C) A minor operation in which the cervix is expanded enough (dilation) to permit the cervical canal and uterine lining to be scraped with a spoon-shaped instrument called a curette (curettage).

Direct Laryngoscopy: A lighted fiber optic tube is placed through the patient's nose or mouth that allows the doctor to look at the larynx and other adjacent structures directly.

Drug Resistance: The result of the cell's in our body not being able to resist the effects of a specific drug.

Duct: A tube through which body fluids pass.

Ductal Carcinoma In Situ: Cancer cells that start in the milk passages (ducts) but have not penetrated 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.

Dumping System: A group of symptoms that occur when food or liquid enters the small intestine too rapidly. These symptoms include cramps, nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness. Dumping syndrome sometimes occurs in people who have had a portion of their stomach removed.

Dysphagia: Difficulty in swallowing.

Dysplasia: Cells that look abnormal under a microscope, but are not cancer.

Dyspnea: Difficult or painful breathing; shortness of breath.

Dysuria: Difficult or painful urination.

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