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Glossary

Showing 701-710 out of 1184 Terms

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  • Limb-sparing surgery

    lim-SPAYR-ing SER-juh-ree

    Surgery to remove a tumor in a limb (arm or leg) without removing the whole limb. The bone and tissue around the tumor may also be removed, and an implant may be used to replace the part of the limb removed. Limb-sparing surgery is done to help save the use and appearance of the limb. It is used to treat cancers of the bone and soft tissue. Also called limb-salvage surgery.

  • Line

    A narrow short synthetic tube that is inserted approximately one inch into a vein to provide temporary intravenous access for the administration of fluid, medication, or nutrients.

  • Liquid biopsy

    (LIH-kwid BY-op-see)

    A test done on a sample of blood to look for cancer cells from a tumor that are circulating in the blood or for pieces of DNA from tumor cells that are in the blood. A liquid biopsy may be used to help find cancer at an early stage. It may also be used to help plan treatment or to find out how well treatment is working or if cancer has come back. Being able to take multiple samples of blood over time may also help doctors understand what kind of molecular changes are taking place in a tumor.

  • Liver

    (LIH-ver)

    A large organ located in the upper abdomen. The liver cleanses the blood and aids in digestion by secreting bile.

  • Liver cancer

    (LIH-ver KAN-ser)

    Primary liver cancer is cancer that forms in the tissues of the liver. Secondary liver cancer is cancer that spreads to the liver from another part of the body.

  • Lobes

    Portions of an organ, such as the liver, lung, breast, thyroid, or brain.

  • Local anesthetic

    A medication given by injection into a part of your body to prevent pain in the area without putting you to sleep.

  • Local cancer

    (LOH-kul KAN-ser)

    An invasive malignant cancer confined entirely to the organ where the cancer began.

  • 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.