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Glossary

Showing 731-740 out of 1184 Terms

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  • Lymphocytosis

    Having an excess of lymphocytes.

  • Lymphoma

    lim-FOH-muh

    Cancer of the lymphatic system, a network of thin vessels and nodes throughout the body. Lymphoma involves a type of white blood cells called lymphocytes. The two main types of lymphoma are Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The treatment methods for these two types of lymphomas are very different.

  • MEK inhibitors

    (… in-HIH-bih-ters)

    A substance that blocks proteins called MEK1 and MEK2, which help control cell growth and survival. Blocking these proteins may help keep cancer cells from growing and may kill them. Some MEK inhibitors are used to treat cancer. They are a type of targeted therapy.

  • MEN syndrome

    ... SIN-drome

    An inherited condition that may result in the development of cancers of the endocrine system. There are several types of MEN syndrome, and patients with each type may develop different types of cancer. The altered genes that cause each type can be detected with a blood test. Also called multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome.

  • MYCN gene

    (... jeen)

    MYCN is important for cell growth. Having more than 10 copies of the gene is called MYCN amplification. Neuroblastoma with MYCN amplification is more likely to spread in the body and less likely to respond to treatment.

  • Magnetic resonance imaging

    (mag-NEH-tik REH-zuh-nunts IH-muh-jing)

    A procedure in which radio waves and a powerful magnet linked to a computer are used to create detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These pictures can show the difference between normal and diseased tissue. MRI makes better images of organs and soft tissue than other scanning techniques, such as computed tomography (CT) or x-ray. MRI is especially useful for imaging the brain, the spine, the soft tissue of joints, and the inside of bones. Also called magnetic resonance imaging, NMRI, and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging.

  • Malignant

    (muh-LIG-nunt)

    A term used to describe cancer. Malignant cells grow in an uncontrolled way and can invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph system.

  • Malignant tumor

    A mass of cancer cells that may invade surrounding tissues or spread (metastasize) to distant areas of your body.

  • Malnutrition

    (mal-noo-TRIH-shun)

    A condition caused by not getting enough calories or the right amount of key nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, that are needed for health. Malnutrition may occur when there is a lack of nutrients in the diet or when the body cannot absorb nutrients from food. Cancer and cancer treatment may cause malnutrition.

  • Mammogram

    (MA-muh-gram)

    An x-ray of the breast.