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Glossary

Showing 701-710 out of 1156 Terms

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  • Local therapy

    (LOH-kul THAYR-uh-pee)

    Treatment that is directed to a specific organ or limited area of the body, such as the breast or an abnormal growth on the skin. Examples of local therapy used in cancer are surgery, radiation therapy, cryotherapy, laser therapy, and topical therapy (medicine in a lotion or cream that is applied to the skin).

  • Localization

    (LOH-kuh-lih-ZAY-shun)

    The process of determining or marking the location or site of a lesion or disease. May also refer to the process of keeping a lesion or disease in a specific location or site.

  • Localized

    (LOH-kuh-lized)

    In medicine, describes disease that is limited to a certain part of the body. For example, localized cancer is usually found only in the tissue or organ where it began, and has not spread to nearby lymph nodes or to other parts of the body. Some localized cancers can be completely removed by surgery.

  • Long term survivor

    If you are 5 years from the last sign of disease and at least 2 years off therapy.

  • Long-term side effects

    (... eh-FEKT)

    A problem that is caused by a disease or treatment of a disease and may continue for months or years. Long-term side effects of cancer treatment include heart, lung, kidney, or gastrointestinal tract problems; pain, numbness, tingling, loss of feeling, or heat or cold sensitivity in the hands or feet; fatigue; hearing loss; cataracts; and dry eyes or dry mouth.

  • Low-grade

    (loh-grayd)

    A term used to describe cells and tissue that look almost normal under a microscope. Low-grade cancer cells look more like normal cells and tend to grow and spread more slowly than high-grade cancer cells. Cancer grade may be used to help plan treatment and determine prognosis. Low-grade cancers usually have a better prognosis than high-grade cancers and may not need treatment right away.

  • Lumbar puncture

    LUM-bar PUNK-cher

    A procedure in which a thin needle is placed in your spinal canal to withdraw a small amount of spinal fluid or to give medicine into the central nervous system through the spinal fluid. If you have leukemia, this fluid is tested for the possible presence of ""blasts"" cells as well as other elements.

  • Lumen

    (LOO-men)

    The cavity or channel within a tube or tubular organ such as a blood vessel or the intestine.

  • Lung metastasis

    (...meh-TAS-tuh-sis)

    Cancer that has spread from the original (primary) tumor to the lung.

  • Lungs

    (lungs)

    A pair of organs in the chest that supplies the body with oxygen, and removes carbon dioxide from the body.