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Gallbladder
(GAWL-blad-er): The pear-shaped organ that sits below
the liver. Bile is stored in the gallbladder.
Gamma knife: Radiation therapy in which high-energy
rays are aimed at a tumor from many angles in a single
treatment session.
Gastrectomy (gas-TREK-to-mee): An operation to
remove all or part of the stomach.
Gastric (GAS-trik): Having to do with the stomach.
Gastric atrophy (GAS-trik AT-ro-fee): A condition
in which the stomach muscles shrink and become weak.
It results in a lack of digestive juices.
Gastroenterologist (GAS-tro-en-ter-OL-o-jist):
A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating
disorders of the digestive system.
Gastrointestinal tract (GAS-tro-in-TES-ti-nul):
The part of the digestive tract where the body processes
food and eliminates waste. It includes the esophagus,
stomach, liver, small and large intestines, and rectum.
Gastroscope (GAS-tro-skope): A thin, lighted
instrument to view the inside of the stomach.
Gastroscopy (gas-TROS-ko-pee): An examination
of the stomach with a gastroscope, an instrument to
view the inside of the stomach.
Gene: The biological or basic unit of heredity
found in all cells in the body.
Gene deletion: The total loss or absence of a
gene.
Gene therapy: Treatment that alters genes (the
basic units of heredity found in all cells in the body).
In studies of gene therapy for cancer, researchers are
trying to improve the body's natural ability to fight
the disease or to make the tumor more sensitive to other
kinds of therapy.
Genetic: Inherited; having to do with information
that is passed from parents to children through DNA
in the genes.
Genitourinary system (GEN-i-toe-YOO-rin-air-ee):
The parts of the body that play a role in reproduction,
in getting rid of waste products in the form of urine,
or in both.
Germ cells: The reproductive cells of the body
specifically, either egg or sperm cells.
Germ cell tumors: A type of brain tumor that
arises from primitive (developing) sex cells, or germ
cells.
Germinoma (jer-mih-NO-ma): The most frequent
type of germ cell tumor in the brain.
Germline mutation: See hereditary mutation.
Gland: An organ that produces and releases one
or more substances for use in the body. Some glands
produce fluids that affect tissues or organs. Others
produce hormones or participate in blood production.
Glioblastoma multiforme (glee-o-blast-TO-ma mul-tih-FOR-may):
A type of brain tumor that forms in the nervous (glial)
tissue of the brain.
Glioma (glee-O-ma): A name for brain tumors that
begin in the glial cells, or supportive cells, in the
brain. "Glia" is the Greek word for glue.
Glottis (GLOT-is): The middle part of the larynx;
the area where the vocal cords are located.
Grade: Describes how closely a cancer resembles
normal tissue of its same type, and the cancer's probable
rate of growth
Grading: A system for classifying cancer cells
in terms of how malignant or aggressive they appear
microscopically. The grading of a tumor indicates how
quickly cancer cells are likely to spread and plays
a role in treatment decisions.
Graft: Healthy skin, bone, or other tissue taken
from one part of the body to replace diseased or injured
tissue removed from another part of the body.
Graft-versus-host disease: A reaction of donated
bone marrow against a patient's own tissue. Also called
GVHD.
Granulocyte (GRAN-yoo-lo-site): A type of white
blood cell. Neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils
are granulocytes.
Groin: The area where the thigh meets the hip.
GVHD (graft-versus-host disease): A reaction
of donated bone marrow against a patient's own tissue.
Gynecologic oncologists (guy-ne-ko-LA-jik on-KOL-o-jists):
Doctors who specialize in treating cancers of the female
reproductive organs.
Gynecologist (guy-ne-KOL-o-jist): A doctor who
specializes in treating diseases of the female reproductive
organs. |
