Dictionary

cancer, breast, familial See breast cancer, familial.

cancer, breast, susceptibility gene See breast cancer susceptibility gene.

cancer, causes Causes of cancer. In most individual cases, the exact cause of cancer is unknown. It’s likely that each case represents an interplay of several factors, which may include increased genetic susceptibility; environmental insults, such as chemical exposure or smoking cigarettes; lifestyle factors, including diet; and damage caused by infectious disease. Although they are…

cancer, cervical A malignant tumor of the cervix, the lowest part of the uterus, which forms a canal that opens into the vagina. Regular pelvic exams and Pap tests are of great importance and can detect precancerous changes in the cervix. The most common symptom is abnormal bleeding. Cancer of the cervix can be diagnosed…

cancer, colon A malignant tumor arising from the inner wall of the large intestine (the colon). In the US, colon cancer is the third leading type of cancer in males and the fourth in females. Risk factors for cancer of the colon and rectum (colorectal cancer) include colon polyps, long-standing ulcerative colitis, and genetic family…

cancer, colorectal See cancer, colon.

cancer, esophagus See esophageal cancer.

cancer, gastric A malignant tumor of the stomach. Gastric cancer can develop in any part of the stomach and can spread from the stomach to other organs. Symptoms of stomach cancer are often vague, such as loss of appetite and weight. Gastric cancer is diagnosed via a biopsy of stomach tissue during an endoscopy. Also…

cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma A type of lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system). Also known as Hodgkin’s disease. The most common symptom is painless swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, or groin. Most patients are in their teens or 20s. It is diagnosed with a biopsy of an enlarged lymph node. Treatment usually…

caesarean section, lower segment A caesarean section in which the surgical incision is made in the lower segment of the uterus. Abbreviated LSCS.

caesarean section, vaginal birth after A vaginal delivery for a woman who previously had a caesarean section. It was once the rule that after a caesarean section, the next delivery also had to be by caesarean section. Now vaginal delivery after caesarean section is sometimes feasible. Age is one of the factors that need to…

café au lait spot A flat spot on the skin that has a color similar to that of coffee with milk (café au lait) in persons with light skin or that has a darker appearance than the surrounding skin in persons with dark skin. About 10 percent of the general population has café au lait…