candidiasis Disease caused by the yeast Candida albicans. Candida albicans can cause vaginal yeast infections, diaper rash, skin rashes that emerge in moist, warm folds of skin, and thrush (white patches inside the mouth and throat). Candidiasis tends to develop when the normal balance of bacteria is upset, as sometimes occurs with the use of…
Candida albicans A yeast-like fungal organism found in small amounts in the normal human intestinal tract. Normally kept in check by the body’s own helpful bacteria, C. albicans can increase in numbers when this balance is disturbed causing candidiasis of the intestinal tract or yeast infections of other parts of the body. See also candidiasis.
cancer symptoms Symptoms that may be associated with cancer, including changes in bowel or bladder habits, a sore that does not heal, unusual bleeding or discharge, thickening or a lump in the breast or any other part of the body, indigestion or difficulty swallowing, obvious change in a wart or mole, and a nagging cough…
cancer survivor Someone who has received the diagnosis of a potentially fatal form of cancer and is thereby forced to face his or her own mortality.
cancer antigen 125 See CA 125.
cancer, uterine A malignant tumor of the uterus (womb), which occurs most often in women between the ages of 55 and 70. Abnormal bleeding after menopause is the most common symptom. Cancer of the uterus is diagnosed based on the results of a pelvic examination, Pap test, biopsy of the uterus, and/or dilation and curettage…
cancer, thyroid A malignant tumor of the gland in front of the neck that normally produces thyroid hormone, which is important to the normal regulation of the metabolism in the body. There are four major types of cancer of the thyroid gland: papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic. Persons who received radiation to the head or…
cancer, testicular A malignant tumor of the male sex organ (testicle) that normally produces the hormone testosterone. It is one of the most common cancers in young men. Most testicular cancers are found by men themselves, as lumps in the testicles. The risk of testicular cancer is increased in males whose testicles did not move…
cancer, stomach See cancer, gastric.
cancer, skin A malignant tumor of the outer surface of the body. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the US. There are many types of skin cancer; the three most common types are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and the most deadly, melanoma. The main cause of skin cancer is ultraviolet light…
cancer, renal cell A malignant tumor that develops in the lining of the kidney tubules that filter the blood and produce urine. Also known as renal cell carcinoma and renal adenocarcinoma. See also cancer, kidney.
cancer, rectal A malignant tumor arising from the inner wall of the end of the large intestine (rectum). In the US, it is the third leading cause of cancer in males and the fourth in females. Risk factors include heredity, colon polyps, and long-standing ulcerative colitis. Most rectal cancers develop from polyps in the colon….