Cancer: English Vocabulary List

a substance or agent that has the potential to cause cancer in living tissues

"Carcinogens cause cancer."

"A carcinogen is any substance agent or exposure that can cause cancer or increase the risk of developing cancer."

related to or characterized by the presence of cancer, a disease caused by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells

"The tumor is cancerous."

"The tumor is cancerous so the doctors will need to remove it immediately and then start chemotherapy."

having the potential to cause or promote the development of cancer

"The chemical is carcinogenic."

"The chemical is carcinogenic and has been linked to cancer in many scientific studies."

a type of cancer that originates in epithelial tissues, such as the skin or the lining of internal organs

"Carcinoma is a type of cancer."

"Carcinoma is a type of cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs."

a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system, characterized by the presence of specific abnormal cells called Reed-Sternberg cells

"Hodgkin's affects lymph nodes."

"Hodgkin's disease also called Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system causing swollen lymph nodes."

a potentially fatal disease characterized by a rise in the number of white blood cells in one's body

"Leukemia is blood cancer."

"Leukemia is a cancer of the body's blood forming tissues including the bone marrow and the lymphatic system."

a type of cancer that originates in the lymphatic system, which is a part of the body's immune system, and can manifest in lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, and other lymphoid tissues

"Lymphoma affects the lymphatic system."

"Lymphoma is a type of cancer that begins in the lymphatic system which is part of the body's germ fighting network."

a type of cancer that develops in the connective tissues of the body, including muscles, bones, tendons, and cartilage

"Sarcoma arises in connective tissue."

"Sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that arises from transformed cells of mesenchymal origin such as muscle bone and fat."

an abnormal mass of diseased cells that serves no function in the body and usually causes medical problems

"Tumor is abnormal cell growth."

"A tumor is an abnormal mass of tissue that forms when cells grow and divide more than they should or do not die when they should."

a type of cancer that begins in the lining of the uterus, often characterized by abnormal vaginal bleeding

"Endometrial cancer affects the uterus lining."

"Endometrial cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the uterus specifically in the layer of cells that form the lining called the endometrium."

a type of cancer that originates in the cells of the breast, often forming a lump or mass

"Breast cancer is common in women."

"Breast cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the cells of the breasts and is one of the most common cancers in women."

a type of cancer that begins in the cells of the liver, often associated with underlying liver diseases

"Liver cancer often starts with cirrhosis."

"Liver cancer is a cancer that begins in the cells of the liver often associated with cirrhosis or hepatitis infections."

a type of cancer that originates in the lungs, typically linked to smoking but can also occur in non-smokers

"Lung cancer kills many smokers."

"Lung cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the lungs and is strongly associated with cigarette smoking."

a type of cancer that begins in the pancreas, an organ located behind the stomach, often diagnosed at an advanced stage

"Pancreatic cancer is very aggressive."

"Pancreatic cancer begins in the tissues of the pancreas and is very difficult to detect early because it often causes no symptoms."

abnormal growth of cells in a small organ of males called prostate that is close to their bladder and releases a liquid that contains sperm

"Prostate cancer affects older men."

"Prostate cancer is a common cancer that occurs in the prostate gland of men and often grows slowly."

a type of cancer that develops in the skin cells, often caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or tanning beds

"Skin cancer can spread if untreated."

"Skin cancer is the abnormal growth of skin cells most often developing on areas exposed to the sun."

a common type of skin cancer that originates in the squamous cells, which are flat cells found on the surface of the skin

"Squamous cell carcinoma is common skin cancer."

"Squamous cell carcinoma is a common form of skin cancer that begins in the squamous cells that make up the middle and outer layers of the skin."

a common type of skin cancer that usually grows slowly and typically occurs in sun-exposed areas of the skin

"Basal cell carcinoma rarely metastasizes."

"Basal cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer that begins in the basal cells that produce new skin cells."

a type of cancer that develops in the testicles, the male reproductive organs responsible for producing sperm and hormones

"Testicular cancer affects young men."

"Testicular cancer is cancer that develops in the testicles which are part of the male reproductive system."

a type of cancer that originates in the cells of the bladder, which is a hollow organ in the lower abdomen that stores urine

"Bladder cancer causes blood in urine."

"Bladder cancer is a common type of cancer that begins in the cells of the bladder which stores urine."

a type of cancer that starts in the kidneys, which are organs that filter waste from the blood and produce urine

"Kidney cancer often has no early symptoms."

"Kidney cancer is cancer that begins in the kidneys when old cells grow out of control forming a tumor."

a type of cancer that forms in the cells of the thyroid gland, which is located in the front of the neck and produces hormones that regulate metabolism

"Thyroid cancer treatments usually succeed."

"Thyroid cancer is a cancer that begins in the thyroid gland which is a small butterfly shaped gland at the base of the neck."

a type of cancer characterized by hard, dense, and fibrous tissue formation

"Scirrhous carcinoma feels hard to the touch."

"Scirrhous carcinoma is a type of cancer that is characterized by a hard dense texture due to a large amount of fibrous tissue."

a type of cancer that forms in the soft tissues of the body, such as muscles, tendons, and fat

"Soft tissue sarcoma grows in muscles."

"Soft tissue sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that begins in the soft tissues of the body like muscle fat or blood vessels."

a type of cancer that originates in the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, uterus, cervix, vagina, and vulva

"Gynecologic cancer affects female reproductive organs."

"Gynecologic cancer is any cancer that starts in a woman's reproductive organs including the cervix ovaries uterus vagina and vulva."