Dictionary

cardiac aneurysm See aneurysm, cardiac.

cardiac Having to do with the heart.

carcinoma of the breast, infiltrating lobular The second most common type of invasive breast cancer. Infiltrating lobular carcinoma starts in the glands that secrete milk (lobules). On a mammogram, a lobular carcinoma can look similar to a ductal carcinoma, appearing as a mass with fine spikes radiating from the edges (spiculation). Infiltrating lobular carcinoma can…

carcinoma of the breast, infiltrating ductal One of several recognized specific patterns of cancer of the breast, so named because it begins in the cells that form the ducts of the breast. It is the most common form of breast cancer. On a mammogram, invasive ductal carcinoma is usually visualized as a mass with fine…

carcinoma in situ, squamous cell An early stage of skin cancer that develops from squamous cells (the flat, scale-like cells in the outer layer of the skin). The hallmark is a persistent, progressive, slightly raised, red, scaly, or crusted plaque that may occur anywhere on the skin surface or on mucosal surfaces, such as in…

carcinoma in situ Cancer that has stayed in the place where it began and has not spread to neighboring tissues (for example, squamous cell carcinoma in situ).

carcinoma, transitional cell Cancer that develops in the lining of the renal pelvis, ureter, or bladder.

carcinoma, squamous cell Cancer that begins in squamous cells, which are thin, flat cells that resemble fish scales. Squamous cells are found in the tissue that forms the surface of the skin and the lining of some organs of the body. See also carcinoma in situ, squamous cell.

carcinoma, large cell See large cell carcinoma.

carcinoma Cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover body organs. Examples are carcinoma of the breast, colon, liver, lung, pancreas, prostate, or stomach.

carcinogenic Having a cancer-causing potential.

carcinogen A substance or an agent that causes cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified many substances and processes as probably or definitely causing cancer in humans. The agency has divided these substances and processes into three categories: agents (such as arsenic, asbestos, and benzene); mixtures (such as in coal tars, tobacco…