fractionation
Dividing the total dose of radiation therapy into several smaller, equal doses delivered over a period of several days. |
gamma ray
A type of high-energy radiation that is different from an x-ray. |
general anesthesia (... A-nes-THEE-zhuh)
Drugs that cause loss of feeling or awareness and put the person to sleep. |
germ cell (jurm sel)
A reproductive cell of the body. Germ cells are egg cells in females and sperm cells in males. |
germ cell tumor (jurm sel TOO-mer)
A type of tumor that begins in the cells that give rise to sperm or eggs. Germ cell tumors can occur almost anywhere in the body and can be either benign or malignant. |
germinoma (jer-mih-NO-ma)
The most common type of germ cell tumor in the brain. |
glial cell (GLEE-ul sel)
Any of the cells that hold nerve cells in place and help them work the way they should. The types of glial cells include oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, microglia, and ependymal cells. Also called neuroglia |
glioblastoma multiforme (GLEE-oh-blas-TOH-muh MUL-tih-form)
A fast-growing type of central nervous system tumor that forms from glial (supportive) tissue of the brain and spinal cord and has cells that look very different from normal cells. Glioblastoma multiforme usually occurs in adults and affects the brain more often than the spinal cord. Also called GBM, glioblastoma, and grade IV astrocytoma. |
glioma (glee-OH-muh)
A cancer of the brain that begins in glial cells (cells that surround and support nerve cells). |
grade
The grade of a tumor depends on how abnormal the cancer cells look under a microscope and how quickly the tumor is likely to grow and spread. Grading systems are different for each type of cancer. |
hyperfractionation (hy-per-FRAK-shun-AY-shun)
Radiation therapy that gives smaller doses (fractions) of radiation more often than standard radiation therapy so that the full treatment course can be given with fewer side effects. In hyperfractionation, individual doses are given more often than the standard dose of once a day. Also called hyperfractionated radiation therapy and superfractionated radiation therapy. |
imaging (IH-muh-jing)
In medicine, a process that makes pictures of areas inside the body. Imaging uses methods such as x-rays (high-energy radiation), ultrasound (high-energy sound waves), and radio waves. |
incision (in-SIH-zhun)
A cut made in the body to perform surgery. |
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