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Glossary

Showing 971-980 out of 1184 Terms

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  • Radiation recall

    An inflammatory reaction that can occur when certain anticancer drugs are given after radiation therapy. It usually affects the part of the body that received radiation, especially the skin. It can also affect the lungs, mouth, larynx, esophagus, other parts of the digestive tract, muscles, and the brain.

  • Radiation therapy

    RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee

    The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, protons, and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external-beam radiation therapy), or it may come from radioactive material placed in the body near cancer cells (internal radiation therapy or brachytherapy).

  • Radioactive

    (RAY-dee-oh-AK-tiv)

    Giving off radiation.

  • Radiologist

    (RAY-dee-AH-loh-jist)

    A doctor who has special training in creating and interpreting pictures of areas inside the body. The pictures are made with x-rays, sound waves, or other types of energy.

  • Radiosurgery

    (RAY-dee-oh-SER-juh-ree)

    A type of external radiation therapy that uses special equipment to position the patient and precisely give a single large dose of radiation to a tumor. It is used to treat brain tumors and other brain disorders that cannot be treated by regular surgery. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Also called radiation surgery, stereotactic radiosurgery, and stereotaxic radiosurgery.

  • Rectal

    (REK-tul)

    By or having to do with the rectum. The rectum is the last several inches of the large intestine closest to the anus.

  • Rectally

    (REK-tul-lee)

    By or having to do with the rectum. The rectum is the last several inches of the large intestine closest to the anus.

  • Rectum

    (REK-tum)

    The last several inches of the large intestine closest to the anus.

  • Recurrences

    (ree-KER-ents)

    Cancer that has recurred (come back), usually after a period of time during which the cancer could not be detected.

  • Recurrent

    (ree-KER-ent)

    Cancer that has recurred (come back), usually after a period of time during which the cancer could not be detected. The cancer may come back to the same place as the original (primary) tumor or to another place in the body. Also called recurrence.