C

Substance that can cause cancer, for example tar in cigarettes is a widely known carcinogen.

Usually a benign growth or cancer that starts in the lining of the gut, such as the stomach or bowel.

A specific type of cancer that comes from the lining of body organs, for example breast, prostate, lung and bowel cancers are all examples of carcinomas.

Treatment or testing of the heart

To do with the heart and chest.

Drug or chemical treatment for cancer. For more information see the patient information on chemotherapy.

Doctor who specialises in the treatment of cancer with radiotherapy. May still be called a radiotherapist in some hospitals.

Testing of newly developed drugs with small groups of patients.

Visual examination of the bowel using special equipment. Usually done when the patient is sedated.

A colostomy, or stoma, is an artificial opening created when the large bowel is brought out onto the surface of the abdomen to create an alternate exit. More information can be found in the patient information on colostomy.

Use of two or more chemotherapy drugs at the same time to treat cancer. Different drugs are usually chosen because they fight the cancer cells in different ways.

Using more than one type of treatment, for example combining chemotherapy with radiotherapy and/or surgery.

A CT (Computerised Tomography) scan uses x-rays to produce images of the body. The images are like cross-sections of the area being scanned (i.e. the head, body or chest). More information is available in the CT Scan patient information.

Delivery of chemotherapy over a long period of time using a small pump that the patient is able to carry with them. Most of the pumps are about the size of a personal headphone stereo and can be hidden relatively easily. Also see ambulatory chemotherapy.

A CT (Computerised Tomography) scan uses X-rays to produce images of the body. The images are like cross-sections of the area being scanned (i.e. the head, body or chest). Find out more.

Any cancer treatment that aims to completely get rid of a patient's cancer and give long-term benefits.

Visual examination of the urine system. Usually done while the patient is put to sleep in theatre.

Small proteins that are released by cells and have specific effects on other cells. Some cytokines help the body to destroy abnormal cells and are being used to treat cancer. Examples of cancer treatment cytokines are interferon and interleukin.

Doctor who examines tissues and fluids at the cellular level with a microscope to make diagnosis and help guide treatment.

Testing tissues and fluids at the cellular level with a microscope to make diagnosis and help guide treatment.