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Salivary
glands (SAL-i-vair-ee): Glands in the mouth that
produce saliva.
Salpingo-oophorectomy (sal-PING-o-OO-for-EK-to-mee):
Surgical removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries.
Sarcoma (sar-KO-ma): A malignant tumor that begins
in connective and supportive tissue.
Scans: Pictures of organs in the body. Scans
often used in diagnosing, staging, and monitoring patients
include liver scans, bone scans, and computed tomography
(CT) or computed axial tomography (CAT) scans. In liver
scanning and bone scanning, radioactive substances that
are injected into the bloodstream collect in these organs.
A scanner that detects the radiation is used to create
pictures. In CT scanning, an x-ray machine linked to
a computer is used to produce detailed pictures of organs
inside the body.
Schiller test (SHIL-er): A test in which iodine
is applied to the cervix. The iodine colors healthy
cells brown; abnormal cells remain unstained, usually
appearing white or yellow.
Schwannoma (shwah-NO-ma): A type of benign brain
tumor that begins in the Schwann cells, which produce
the myelin that protects the acoustic nerve the
nerve of hearing.
Screening: Checking for disease when there are
no symptoms.
Scrotum (SKRO-tum): The external pouch of skin
that contains the testicles.
Sebum (SEE-bum): An oily substance produced by
certain glands in the skin.
Seizures (SEE-zhurz): Convulsions; sudden, involuntary
movements of the muscles.
Semen: The fluid that is released through the
penis during orgasm. Semen is made up of sperm from
the testicles and fluid from the prostate and other
sex glands.
Seminal vesicles (SEM-in-al VES-i-kulz): Glands
that help produce semen.
Seminoma (sem-in-O-ma): A type of testicular
cancer that arises from sex cells, or germ cells, at
a very early stage in their development.
Shunt: A catheter (tube) that carries cerebrospinal
fluid from a ventricle in the brain to another area
of the body.
Side effects: Problems that occur when treatment
affects healthy cells. Common side effects of cancer
treatment are fatigue, nausea, vomiting, decreased blood
cell counts, hair loss, and mouth sores.
Sigmoidoscope (sig-MOY-da-skope): An instrument
used to view the inside of the colon.
Sigmoidoscopy (sig-moid-OSS-ko-pee): A procedure
in which the doctor looks inside the rectum and the
lower part of the colon (sigmoid colon) through a lighted
tube. The doctor may collect samples of tissue or cells
for closer examination. Also called proctosigmoidoscopy.
Skin graft: Skin that is moved from one part
of the body to another.
Small cell lung cancer: A type of lung cancer
in which the cells are small and round. Also called
oat cell lung cancer.
Small intestine: The part of the digestive tract
that is located between the stomach and the large intestine.
Smoldering leukemia: See Preleukemia.
Soft tissue sarcoma: A sarcoma that begins in
the muscle, fat, fibrous tissue, blood vessels, or other
supporting tissue of the body.
Somatic cells: All the body cells except the
reproductive cells.
Somatic mutations: See mutation.
Speech pathologist: A specialist who evaluates
and treats people with communication and swallowing
problems. Also called a speech therapist.
Speculum (SPEK-yoo-lum): An instrument used to
widen the opening of the vagina so that the cervix is
more easily visible.
Sperm banking: Freezing sperm before cancer treatment
for use in the future. This procedure can allow men
to father children after loss of fertility.
SPF (Sun protection factor): A scale for rating
sunscreens. Sunscreens with an SPF of 15 or higher provide
the best protection from the sun's harmful rays. SPF
stands for sun protection factor.
Spinal tap: A test in which a fluid sample is
removed from the spinal column with a thin needle. Also
called a lumbar puncture.
Spleen: An organ that produces lymphocytes, filters
the blood, stores blood cells, and destroys those that
are aging. It is located on the left side of the abdomen
near the stomach.
Splenectomy (splen-EK-toe-mee): An operation
to remove the spleen.
Sputum (SPYOO-tum): Mucus from the lungs.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SKWAY-mus): Cancer that
begins in squamous cells, which are thin, flat cells
resembling fish scales. Squamous cells are found in
the tissue that forms the surface of the skin, the lining
of the hollow organs of the body, and the passages of
the respiratory and digestive tracts.
Squamous cells (SKWAY-mus): Flat cells that look
like fish scales; they make up most of the epidermis,
the outer layer of the skin.
Squamous intraepithelial lesion (SKWAY-mus in-tra-eh-pih-THEEL-ee-ul
LEE-zhun): A general term for the abnormal growth of
squamous cells on the surface of the cervix. The changes
in the cells are described as low grade or high grade,
depending on how much of the cervix is affected and
how abnormal the cells are. Also called SIL.
Stage: The extent of a cancer, especially whether
the disease has spread from the original site to other
parts of the body.
Staging: Doing exams and tests to learn the extent
of the cancer, especially whether it has spread from
its original site to other parts of the body.
Stem cells: The cells from which all blood
cells develop.
Stereotaxis (stair-ee-o-TAK-sis): Use of a computer
and scanning devices to create three- dimensional pictures.
This method can be used to direct a biopsy, external
radiation, or the insertion of radiation implants.
Sterile: The inability to produce children.
Steroids (STEH-roidz): Drugs used to relieve
swelling and inflammation.
Stoma: An opening in the abdominal wall; also
called an ostomy or urostomy.
Stool: The waste matter discharged in a bowel
movement; feces.
Stool test: A test to check for hidden blood
in the bowel movement.
Subglottis (SUB-glot-is): The lowest part of
the larynx; the area from just below the vocal cords
down to the top of the trachea.
Sun Protection Factor (SPF): A scale for rating
sunscreens. Sunscreens with an SPF of 15 or higher provide
the best protection from the sun's harmful rays.
Sunscreen: A substance that blocks the effect
of the sun's harmful rays. Using lotions or creams that
contain sunscreens can protect the skin from damage
that may lead to cancer.
Supportive care: Treatment given to prevent,
control, or relieve complications and side effects and
to improve the patient's comfort and quality of life.
Supraglottis (SOOP-ra-GLOT-is): The upper part
of the larynx, including the epiglottis; the area above
the vocal cords.
Surgery: A procedure to remove or repair a part
of the body or to find out if disese is present.
Systemic (sis-TEM-ik): Reaching and affecting
cells all over the body.
Systemic therapy (sis-TEM-ik): Treatment that
uses substances that travel through the bloodstream,
reaching and affecting cancer cells all over the body.
Systemic treatment (sis-TEM-ik): Treatment using
substances that travel through the bloodstream, reaching
and affecting cancer cells all over the body. |
