a  b  c  d  e  f  g  h  i  j  k  l  m  n  o  p  q  r  s  t  u  v  w  x  y  z

A

adenocarcinoma: a cancer that develops in the lining or inner surface of an organ. Most pancreatic cancer and prostate cancer, for example, are adenocarcinoma while rarely this type of cancer is found in the cervix.

asymptomatic: without obvious symptoms or signs of disease. People with abnormal cervical cell changes are mostly asymptomatic at early stages.

atypia/atypical: not usual or ordinary.

B

benign: cell changes that have nothing to do with cancer.

biopsy: the removal and examination of a small amount of tissue to establish a diagnosis.

C

cancer: a general term for more than 100 diseases. It is the uncontrolled, abnormal growth of cells that can invade and destroy healthy tissue. Most cancers can also spread to other parts of the body.

carcinoma: it is one of the five basic kinds of cancer and the most common. It begins in epithelial tissue (the lining or covering of an organ). It may develop in cells that line the lung, intestines, bladder, breast, uterus, kidney, cervix and prostate or in skin cells.

carcinoma in situ: the earliest stage of cancer in which young tumour cells have not yet invaded surrounding tissues.

cervical carcinoma: a cancer of the uterine cervix (the neck of the uterus).

cervical dysplasia: cervical cells that are abnormal in appearance. An abnormal tissue growth on the cervix that may progress to cancer if not treated in time. Cervical dysplasia is detected through a Pap test.

cervix: the neck or lower end of the uterus or womb that connects the uterus with the vagina.

chemotherapy: the use of drugs to treat or control cancer.

colposcopy: examination of the cervix and vagina using a low-powered magnifying instrument known as a colposcope in order to assess the extent and severity of any problem and to determine appropriate treatment. Small biopsies may be taken during the test.

cone biopsy: also known as conization, cone biopsy refers to a surgical removal of a cone-shaped specimen of tissue for examination under a microscope. The tissue removed provides a more extensive sample for diagnosis than a simple biopsy.

cryosurgery: a surgical procedure that uses extreme cold to destroy abnormal tissue by freezing. A general anesthetic is not required.

cytology: the study of cells using a microscope. An example of this procedure is the Pap test, used to detect cells that may lead to cervical cancer.

D

diagnosis: identification of a disease from signs, symptoms, laboratory tests, radiological results and physical findings.

dysplasia: abnormal changes or growth of cells or tissue. It occurs most often in cells that reproduce rapidly. See cervical dysplasia.

E

endocervical curettage (ECC): the removal of tissue from the inside of the cervix using a spoon-shaped instrument called a curette.

F

false negative report: a negative result when in reality it is positive in nature.

false positive report: a positive result when in reality it is negative in nature.

H

HPV: human papilloma virus or wart virus. HPV is the common name for a group of related viruses, some of which occur on the cervix and are risk factors for cervical cancer.

hysterectomy: surgical removal of the uterus. The ovaries may also be removed at the same time.

I

invasive cervical cancer: a stage of cancer in which it has spread from the surface of the cervix to healthy tissue deeper in the cervix or to other parts of the body.

L

laser surgery: treatment that uses an intense, narrow beam of light (called a laser beam) to treat some forms of cancer or abnormal cells. Since a laser beam can be focused precisely on a tiny area, it is used to operate on delicate tissues. General anesthetic is unnecessary.

LEEP: Loop electrosurgical excision procedure. After freezing the area, an electrical wire loop is inserted into the vagina and all the abnormal tissue is sliced off and removed.

localized cancer: a cancerous growth that has not spread to other parts of the body.

M

malignancy: a tumour consisting of cancerous cells. Cells from a malignant growth can break away and start secondary tumours elsewhere in the body.

malignant: cancerous.

metastasis: the spread of cancer cells from the original tumour to other parts of the body by way of the lymph system or bloodstream.

O

oncology: the study and treatment of cancerous tumours.

oncologist: an oncologist is a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer.

P

Pap test: a test in which cells are removed from the cervix and examined under a microscope. Devised by Dr. George Papanicolaou, the Pap test is an effective way to detect infection, inflammation, abnormal cells (see cervical dysplasia) or cancer.

pelvic exam: also called an internal examination. A gynecological examination of a woman's vagina, vulva, cervix, fallopian tubes, ovaries and uterus.

polyp: a cauliflower-like growth of tissue that develops in the mucous membrane lining of the colon, bladder, uterus, cervix, vocal cords, or nasal passage and protrudes into a body cavity.

R

risk factor: anything that increases a person's chances of developing cancer. For example, smoking is a risk factor for lung and head/neck cancer.

S

Schiller test: a test in which iodine is applied to the cervix. It is used during a colposcopy. The iodine colors healthy cells brown. Abnormal cells remain unstained, usually appearing white or yellow.

speculum: a metal or plastic instrument used to spread the vagina open so that the cervix can be seen.

squamous cell carcinoma: 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.

symptomatic: showing indications of disease or illness.

T

tumour: a mass of abnormally growing cells that serve no useful bodily function. Tumours can be either benign or malignant.

V

virus: a tiny organism that invades and grows in cells and thereby alters their function. Viruses cause a variety of infectious diseases and may also induce some types of cancer.