Glossary Terms
cancer (KAN-ser)
A term for
diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and
can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to
other parts of the body through the blood and lymph
systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma
is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line
or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in
bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other
connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that
starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and
causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced
and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are
cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system.
Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in
the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.
mycosis fungoides (my-KOH-sis fun-GOY-deez)
A type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that first appears on the skin and can spread to the lymph nodes or other organs such as the spleen, liver, or lungs.
recur
To come back or to return.
recurrence (ree-KER-ents)
Cancer that has recurred (come back), usually after a period of time during which the cancer could not be detected. The cancer may come back to the same place as the original (primary) tumor or to another place in the body. Also called recurrent cancer.
Sezary syndrome (say-zah-REE SIN-drome)
A cancer that affects the skin. It is a form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
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