palliative care (PA-lee-uh-tiv...)
Care given to improve the quality of life of patients who have a serious or life-threatening disease. The goal of palliative care is to prevent or treat as early as possible the symptoms of a disease, side effects caused by treatment of a disease, and psychological, social, and spiritual problems related to a disease or its treatment. |
pathologist (puh-THAH-loh-jist)
A doctor who identifies diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope. |
physical therapist
A health professional who teaches exercises and physical activities that help condition muscles and restore strength and movement. |
pineal gland (PIN-ee-al)
A tiny organ in the cerebrum that produces melatonin. Also called pineal body and pineal organ. |
pineal region tumor (PIN-ee-al...)
A type of brain tumor that occurs in or around the pineal gland, a tiny organ near the center of the brain. |
primary tumor
The original tumor. |
proton
A small, positively charged particle of matter found in the atoms of all elements. Streams of protons generated by special equipment can be used for radiation treatment. |
proton beam radiation therapy (PROH-ton beem RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee)
A type of high-energy, external radiation therapy that uses streams of protons (small, positively charged particles) that come from a special machine. Proton beam radiation is different from x-ray radiation. |
quality of life
The overall enjoyment of life. Many clinical trials assess the effects of cancer and its treatment on the quality of life. These studies measure aspects of an individuals sense of well-being and ability to carry out various activities. |
radiation (RAY-dee-AY-shun)
Energy released in the form of particle or electromagnetic waves. |
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). |
recurrent cancer (ree-KER-ent KAN-ser)
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. |
risk factor
Something that may increase the chance of developing a disease. Some examples of risk factors for cancer include age, a family history of certain cancers, use of tobacco products, certain eating habits, obesity, lack of exercise, exposure to radiation or other cancer-causing agents, and certain genetic changes. |
Schwann cell
A type of glial cell of the peripheral nervous system that helps separate and insulate nerve cells. |
schwannoma (shwah-NO-ma)
A tumor of the peripheral nervous system that arises in the nerve sheath (protective covering). It is almost always benign, but rare malignant schwannomas have been reported. |
social worker
A professional trained to talk with people and their families about emotional or physical needs, and to find them support services. |
speech therapist
A specialist who evaluates and treats people with communication and swallowing problems. Also called speech pathologist. |
spinal tap (SPY-nul ...)
A procedure in which a thin needle called a spinal needle is put into the lower part of the spinal column to collect cerebrospinal fluid or to give drugs. Also called lumbar puncture. |
stage
The extent of a cancer in the body. Staging is usually based on the size of the tumor, whether lymph nodes contain cancer, and whether the cancer has spread from the original site to other parts of the body. |
stereotactic biopsy (STAYR-ee-oh-TAK-tik BY-op-see)
A biopsy procedure that uses a computer and a 3-dimensional scanning device to find a tumor site and guide the removal of tissue for examination under a microscope. |
stereotactic radiation therapy (STAYR-ee-oh-TAK-tik RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee)
A type of external radiation therapy that uses special equipment to position the patient and precisely deliver radiation to a tumor. The total dose of radiation is divided into several smaller doses given over several days. Also called stereotactic external-beam radiation therapy and stereotaxic radiation therapy. |
supportive care
Care given to improve the quality of life of patients who have a serious or life-threatening disease. The goal of supportive care is to prevent or treat as early as possible the symptoms of a disease, side effects caused by treatment of a disease, and psychological, social, and spiritual problems related to a disease or its treatment. |
symptom
An indication that a person has a condition or disease. Some examples of symptoms are headache, fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and pain. |
symptom management
Care given to improve the quality of life of patients who have a serious or life-threatening disease. The goal of symptom management is to prevent or treat as early as possible the symptoms of a disease, side effects caused by treatment of a disease, and psychological, social, and spiritual problems related to a disease or its treatment. Also called comfort care, palliative care, and supportive care. |
tissue (TISH-oo)
A group or layer of cells that work together to perform a specific function. |
tumor (TOO-mer)
An abnormal mass of tissue that results when cells divide more than they should or do not die when they should. Tumors may be benign (not cancerous), or malignant (cancerous). Also called neoplasm. |
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