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T-cell
lymphoma (lim-FO-ma): A cancer of the immune system
that appears in the skin; also called mycosis fungoides.
Testicles (TES-ti-kuls): The two egg-shaped glands
that produce sperm and male hormones.
Testosterone (tes-TOS-ter-own): A male sex hormone.
Thermography (ther-MOG-ra-fee): A test to measure
and display heat patterns of tissues near the surface
of the breast. Abnormal tissue generally is warmer than
healthy tissue. This technique is under study; its value
in detecting breast cancer has not been proven.
Thoracentesis (thor-a-sen-TEE-sis): Removal of
fluid in the pleura through a needle.
Thoracic (thor-ASS-ik): Pertaining to the chest.
Thoracotomy (thor-a-KOT-o-mee): An operation
to open the chest.
Thrombocytes (THROM-bo-sites): See Platelets.
Thrombophlebitis (throm-bo-fleh-BYE-tis): Inflammation
of a vein that occurs when a blood clot forms.
Thymus: An organ in which lymphocytes mature
and multiply. It lies behind the breastbone.
Tissue (TISH-oo): A group or layer of cells that
together perform specific functions.
Tonsils: Small masses of lymphatic tissue on
either side of the throat.
Topical chemotherapy (kee-mo-THER-a-pee): Treatment
with anticancer drugs in a lotion or cream.
Total pancreatectomy (pan-cree-a-TEK-to-mee):
Surgery to remove the entire pancreas.
Toxins: Poisons produced by certain animals,
plants, or bacteria.
Trachea (TRAY-kee-a): The airway that leads from
the larynx to the lungs. Also called the windpipe.
Tracheoesophageal puncture (TRAY-kee-o-eh-SOF-a-JEE-al
PUNK-chur): A small opening made by a surgeon between
the esophagus and the trachea. A valve keeps food out
of the trachea but lets air into the esophagus for esophageal
speech.
Tracheostomy (TRAY-kee-AHS-toe-mee): Surgery
to create an opening (stoma) into the windpipe. The
opening itself may also be called a tracheostomy.
Tracheostomy button (TRAY-kee-AHS-toe-mee): A
_- to 1-1/2-inch-long plastic tube placed in the stoma
to keep it open.
Tracheostomy tube (TRAY-kee-AHS-toe-mee): A 2-
to 3-inch-long metal or plastic tube that keeps the
stoma and trachea open. Also called a trach ("trake")
tube.
Transformation: The change that a normal cell
undergoes as it becomes malignant.
Transfusion (trans-FYOO-zhun): The transfer of
blood or blood products from one person to another.
Transitional cell carcinoma: Cancer that develops
in the lining of the renal pelvis. This type of cancer
also occurs in the ureter and the bladder.
Transitional cells: Cells lining some organs.
Transplantation (trans-plan-TAY-shun): The replacement
of an organ with one from another person.
Transrectal ultrasound: The use of sound waves
to detect cancer. An instrument is inserted into the
rectum. Waves bounce off the prostate and the pattern
of the echoes produced is converted into a picture by
a computer.
Transurethral resection (TRANZ-yoo-REE-thral
ree-SEK-shun): Surgery performed with a special instrument
inserted through the urethra. Also called TUR.
Transurethral resection of the prostate (TRANZ-yoo-REE-thral):
The use of an instrument inserted through the penis
to remove tissue from the prostate. Also called TUR
or TURP.
Transvaginal ultrasound: Sound waves sent out
by a probe inserted in the vagina. The waves bounce
off the ovaries, and a computer uses the echoes to create
a picture called a sonogram. Also called TVS.
Tumor (TOO-mer): An abnormal mass of tissue that
results from excessive cell division. Tumors perform
no useful body function. They may either be benign (not
cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
Tumor debulking: Surgically removing as much
of the tumor as possible.
Tumor marker: A substance in blood or
other body fluids that may suggest that a person has
cancer.
Tumor necrosis factor (ne-KRO-sis): A type of
biological response modifier (a substance that can improve
the body's natural response to disease). Scientists
are still learning how this substance causes cancer
cells to die.
Tumor-suppressor gene: Genes in the body that
can suppress or block the development of cancer. |
