local anesthesia (... A-nes-THEE-zhuh)
Drugs that cause a temporary loss of feeling in one part of the body. The patient remains awake but has no feeling in the part of the body treated with the anesthetic. |
malignant (muh-LIG-nunt)
Cancerous. Malignant tumors can invade and destroy nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body. |
medulloblastoma (MED-yoo-loh-blas-TOH-muh)
A malignant brain tumor that begins in the lower part of the brain and that can spread to the spine or to other parts of the body. Medulloblastomas are a type of primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET). |
meninges (meh-NIN-jees)
The three thin layers of tissue that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord. |
meningioma (meh-NIN-jee-OH-muh)
A type of slow-growing tumor that forms in the meninges (thin layers of tissue that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord). Meningiomas usually occur in adults. |
mental health counselor
A specialist who can talk with patients and their families about emotional and personal matters, and can help them make decisions. |
metastasis (meh-TAS-tuh-sis)
The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another. A tumor formed by cells that have spread is called a "metastatic tumor" or a "metastasis". The metastatic tumor contains cells that are like those in the original (primary) tumor. |
metastatic (meh-tuh-STA-tik)
Having to do with metastasis, which is the spread of cancer from one part of the body to another. |
MRI
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. |
myelogram (MY-eh-loh-gram)
An x-ray of the spinal cord after an injection of dye into the space between the lining of the spinal cord and brain. |
needle biopsy (NEE-dul BY-op-see)
The removal of tissue or fluid with a needle for examination under a microscope. When a wide needle is used, the procedure is called a core biopsy. When a thin needle is used, the procedure is called a fine-needle aspiration biopsy. |
nerve cell
A type of cell that receives and sends messages from the body to the brain and back to the body. The messages are sent by a weak electrical current. Also called neuron. |
neurologic (NOOR-oh-LAH-jik)
Having to do with nerves or the nervous system. |
neuroma (NOOR-oh-ma)
A tumor that arises in nerve cells. |
neuro-oncologist (NOOR-oh-on-KAH-loh-jist)
A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating brain tumors and other tumors of the nervous system. |
neurosurgeon (NOO-ro-SER-jun)
A doctor who specializes in surgery on the brain, spine, and other parts of the nervous system. |
occupational therapist
A health professional trained to help people who are ill or disabled learn to manage their daily activities. |
oligodendroglioma (AH-lih-goh-DEN-droh-glee-OH-muh)
A rare, slow-growing tumor that begins in oligodendrocytes (cells that cover and protect nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord). Also called oligodendroglial tumor. |
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