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Information about Brain Tumors
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. We cannot assume responsibility for its accuracy. Please, obtain information about your condition from your Doctor. The Brad Kaminsky Foundation does not endorse any service, treatment, institution or physician
Medical Definitions
Acoustic
(ah-KOOS-tik): Having to do with sound or hearing.
Anaplastic
(an-ah-PLAS-tik): A term used to describe cancer cells that divide
rapidly and bear little or no resemblance to normal cells. angiogram
(AN-jee-o-gram): An x-ray of blood vessels; the person receives an
injection of dye to outline the vessels on the x-ray. anticonvulsants
(an-tee-kon-VUL-sants): Drugs that prevent, reduce, or stop
convulsions or seizures.
Astrocytoma
(as-tro-sye-TOE-mas): A tumor that begins in the brain or
spinal cord in small, star-shaped cells called astrocytes. ataxic gait
(ah-TAK-sik): Awkward, uncoordinated walking. benign (beh-NINE):
Not cancerous; does not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts
of the body. biological therapy (by-o-LAHJ-i-kul): Treatment to
stimulate or restore the ability of the immune system to fight infection
and disease. Also used to lessen side effects that may be caused by
some cancer treatments. Also known as immunotherapy, biotherapy, or
biological response modifier (BRM) therapy. biopsy (BY-ahp-see): The
removal of cells or tissues for examination under a microscope. When
only a sample of tissue is removed, the procedure is called an
incisional biopsy or core biopsy. When an entire tumor or lesion is
removed, the procedure is called an excisional biopsy. When a sample
of tissue or fluid is removed with a needle, the procedure is called a
needle biopsy or fine-needle aspiration. bone marrow: The soft,
sponge-like tissue in the center of bones that produces white blood
cells, red blood cells, and platelets.
Bone Marrow Transplantation
(trans-plan-TAY-shun): A procedure to replace bone marrow destroyed
by treatment with high doses of anticancer drugs or radiation.
Transplantation may be autologous (an individual's own marrow saved
before treatment), allogeneic (marrow donated by someone else), or
syngeneic (marrow donated by an identical twin).
Brain Stem
The part of the brain that is connected to the spinal cord.
Brain Stem Glioma
(glee-O-ma): A tumor located in the part of the brain that connects to
the spinal cord (the brain stem). It may grow rapidly or slowly,
depending on the grade of the tumor.
Central Nervous System
CNS. The brain and spinal cord.
Cerebellum
(sair-uh-BELL-um): The portion
of the brain in the back of the head between the cerebrum and the
brain stem. The cerebellum controls balance for walking and standing,
and other complex motor functions.
Cerebral Hemispheres
(seh-REE-bral HEM-iss-feerz): The two halves of the cerebrum, the
part of the brain that controls muscle functions of the body and also
controls speech, emotions, reading, writing, and learning. The right
hemisphere controls muscle movement on the left side of the body,
and the left hemisphere controls muscle movement on the right side of
the body.
Cerebrospinal Fluid
(seh-REE-bro-SPY-nal): CSF. The fluid
flowing around the brain and spinal cord. Cerebrospinal fluid is
produced in the ventricles in the brain.
Cerebrum
(seh-REE-brum): The largest part of the brain. It is divided into two hemispheres, or halves,
called the cerebral hemispheres. The cerebrum controls muscle
functions of the body and also controls speech, emotions, reading,
writing, and learning.
Chemotherapy
(kee-mo-THER-a-pee): Treatment
with anticancer drugs.
Clinical Trial
A research study that tests how well
new medical treatments or other interventions work in people. Each
study is designed to test new methods of screening, prevention,
diagnosis, or treatment of a disease.
Craniopharyngioma
(KRAY-nee-o-fah-rin-jee-O-ma): A benign brain tumor that may be
considered malignant because it can damage the hypothalamus, the
area of the brain that controls body temperature, hunger, and thirst.
Craniotomy
(kray-nee-AH-toe-mee): An operation in which an opening
is made in the skull. CT scan: Computed tomography scan. A series of
detailed pictures of areas inside the body; the pictures are created by a
computer linked to an x-ray machine. Also called computerized axial
tomography (CAT) scan.
Edema
(eh-DEE-ma): Swelling caused by
excess fluid in body tissues.
Encapsulated
(en-KAP-soo-lay-ted):
Confined to a specific, localized area and surrounded by a thin layer of
tissue.
Ependymomas
Brain tumors that usually begin in the central
canal of the spinal cord. Ependymomas may also develop in the cells
lining the ventricles of the brain, which produce and store the special
fluid (cerebrospinal fluid) that protects the brain and spinal cord. Also
called ependymal tumors.
Gamma Knife
Radiation therapy in which
high-energy rays are aimed at a tumor from many angles in a single
treatment session.
Germ Cell Tumors
Tumors that begin in the cells that give rise to sperm or eggs. They can
occur virtually anywhere in the body and can be either benign or
malignant. germinoma (jer-mih-NO-ma): The most frequent type of
germ-cell tumor in the brain.
Glioblastoma Multiforme
(glee-o-blas-TOE-ma mul-tih-FOR-may): A type of brain tumor that
forms from glial (supportive) tissue of the brain. It grows very quickly
and has cells that look very different from normal cells. Also called
grade IV astrocytoma.
Glioma
(glee-O-ma): A cancer of the brain that
comes from glial, or supportive, cells. hair follicles (FOL-i-kuls): Shafts
or openings on the surface of the skin through which hair grows.
Hydrocephalus
(hye-dro-SEF-uh-lus): The abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in
the ventricles of the brain.
Hyperthermia
(hye-per-THER-mee-a): A type of treatment in which body tissue is
exposed to high temperatures to damage and kill cancer cells or to
make cancer cells more sensitive to the effects of radiation and certain
anticancer drugs.
Hypothalamus
(hye-po-THAL-uh-mus): The area of
the brain that controls body temperature, hunger, and thirst.
Immune System
(im-YOON): The complex group of organs and cells that
defends the body against infection or disease. infertility: The inability to
produce children.
Intrathecal Chemotherapy
(in-tra-THEE-kal KEE-mo-THER-a-pee): Anticancer drugs that are injected into the
fluid-filled space between the thin layers of tissue that cover the brain
and spinal cord.
Malignant
(ma-LIG-nant): Cancerous; a growth with a
tendency to invade and destroy nearby tissue and spread to other
parts of the body.
Medical Oncologist
(on-KOL-o-jist): A doctor who
specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer using chemotherapy,
hormonal therapy, and biological therapy. A medical oncologist often
serves as the main caretaker of someone who has cancer and
coordinates treatment provided by other specialists.
Medulloblastoma
(MED-yoo-lo-blas-TOE-ma): A malignant brain tumor that begins in the
lower part of the brain and can spread to the spine or to other parts of
the body. Medulloblastomas are sometimes called primitive
neuroectodermal tumors (PNET).
Membrane
A very thin layer of tissue
that covers a surface.
Meninges
(meh-NIN-jeez): The three membranes
that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord.
Meningioma
(meh-nin-jee-O-ma): A type of tumor that occurs in the meninges, the
membranes that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord.
Meningiomas usually grow slowly.
Menopause
(MEN-o-pawz): The
time of life when a woman's menstrual periods stop permanently. Also
called "change of life."
Metastasis
(meh-TAS-ta-sis): The spread of
cancer from one part of the body to another. Tumors formed from cells
that have spread are called "secondary tumors" and contain cells that
are like those in the original (primary) tumor. The plural is metastases.
MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
(mag-NET-ik REZ-o- nans IM-a-jing). A procedure in which a magnet linked to a computer is used
to create detailed pictures of areas inside the body.
Myelin
(MYE-eh-lin): The fatty substance that covers and protects nerves.
Myelogram
(MYE-eh-lo-gram): An x-ray of the spinal cord after an
injection of dye into the space between the lining of the spinal cord
and brain.
Neuroma
(noo-RO-ma): A tumor that arises in nerve cells.
Neurosurgeon
(NOO-ro-SER-jun): A doctor who specializes in surgery
on the brain, spine, and other parts of the nervous system.
Oligodendroglioma
(OL-ih-go-den-dro-glee-O-ma): A rare, slow-growing
tumor that begins in brain cells called oligodendrocytes, which provide
support and nourishment for cells that transmit nerve impulses. Also
called oligodendroglial tumor.
Pathologist
(pa-THOL-o-jist): A doctor
who identifies diseases by studying cells and tissues under a
microscope.
Pineal Gland
(PIN-ee-al): A tiny organ located in the
cerebrum that produces melatonin. Also called pineal body or pineal
organ.
Pineal Region Tumors
(pIN-ee-al...TOO-mers): Types of brain
tumors that occur in or around the pineal gland, a tiny organ near the
center of the brain.
Pineoblastoma
(PIN-ee-o-blas-TOE-ma): A fast
growing type of brain tumor that occurs in or around the pineal gland,
a tiny organ near the center of the brain.
Pineocytoma
(PIN-ee-o-sye-TOE-ma): A slow growing type of brain tumor that
occurs in or around the pineal gland, a tiny organ near the center of
the brain.
Pituitary Gland
(pih-TOO-ih-tair-ee): The main endocrine
gland; it produces hormones that control other glands and many body
functions, especially growth.
Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumors
(NOO-ro-ek-toe-DER-mul): PNET. A type of bone cancer that forms in
the middle (shaft) of large bones. Also called Ewing's sarcoma/primitive
neuroectodermal tumor.
Prognosis
(prog-NO-sis): The likely outcome
or course of a disease; the chance of recovery or recurrence.
Radiation Oncologist
(ray-dee-AY-shun on-KOL-o-jist): A doctor who specializes
in using radiation to treat cancer.
Radiation Therapy
(ray-dee-AY-shun):
The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, neutrons, and other
sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come
from a machine outside the body (external-beam radiation therapy) or
from materials called radioisotopes. Radioisotopes produce radiation
and can be placed in or near the tumor or in the area near cancer
cells. This type of radiation treatment is called internal radiation
therapy, implant radiation, interstitial radiation, or brachytherapy.
Systemic radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance, such as a
radiolabeled monoclonal antibody, that circulates throughout the body.
Also called radiotherapy.
Radiosensitizers
Drugs that make tumor cells
more sensitive to radiation. recur: To occur again. Recurrence is the
return of cancer, at the same site as the original (primary) tumor or in
another location, after the tumor had disappeared.
Remission
A
decrease in or disappearance of signs and symptoms of cancer. In
partial remission, some, but not all, signs and symptoms of cancer
have disappeared. In complete remission, all signs and symptoms of
cancer have disappeared, although there still may be cancer in the
body.
Risk Factor
A habit, trait, condition, or genetic alteration that increases a person's
chance of developing a disease.
Schwannoma
(shwah-NO-ma): A type of benign brain tumor that begins in the
Schwann cells that produce the myelin that protects the acoustic nerve
(the nerve of hearing).
Seizures
(SEE-zhurz): Convulsions; sudden,
involuntary movements of the muscles. shunt: A surgically created
diversion of fluid (e.g., blood or cerebrospinal fluid) from one area of
the body to another area of the body.
Stereotaxis
(stair-ee-o-TAK-sis):
Use of a computer and scanning devices to create three-dimensional
pictures. This method can be used to direct a biopsy, external
radiation, or the insertion of radiation implants.
Steroids
(STEH-roidz):
Drugs used to relieve swelling and inflammation. surgery: A procedure
to remove or repair a part of the body or to find out whether disease is
present.
Thrombophlebitis
(throm-bo-fleh-BY-tis): Inflammation of a vein
that occurs when a blood clot forms.
Tissue
(TISH-oo): A group or layer
of cells that are alike in type and work together to perform a specific
function.
Tumor
(TOO-mer): An abnormal mass of tissue that results
from excessive cell division. Tumors perform no useful body function.
They may be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
Ventricles
(VEN-trih-kulz): Fluid-filled cavities in the heart or brain. vital:
Necessary to maintain life. Breathing is a vital function. x-ray:
High-energy radiation used in low doses to diagnose diseases and in
high doses to treat cancer.
The Brad Kaminsky Foundation for Brain Tumor Research 20227 Catlett Place Ashburn, VA 20147 (703) 729-9897 E-mail DNL1231@aol.com |
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