M

Large enough to be seen with the eye.

A test used to look at the inside of the body, particularly the soft tissues. It uses a large magnet create a picture of the internal organs. More information is available in the patient information leaflet MRI scan.

Another term for cancer. Malignant cells tend to interfere with normal cells by pushing normal cells out of the way. Malignant cells also have the ability to spread to other areas of the body by metastasis.

X-ray of the breast to detect any early cancer. The breast tissue is placed between two surfaces to help the clarity of the image. More information is available in the booklet on breast care.

Surgical removal of the whole breast. There is more information available in the patient information booklet on breast cancer.

A doctor who specialises in the treatment of cancer with chemotherapy (UK).

Combining and analysing the results of many research treatment trials (often published in journals) to summarise effectiveness over a wide group of patients and centres.

The spread of cancer cells from one part of the body to another. An example is a cancer of the prostate that metastasises or spreads to the bone. The original (or primary cancer) is the prostate. The metastasis is still prostate cancer, but it has invaded or metastasised to the bone. Cancer cells can be transferred by the blood or lymph vessels.

Fragments of damaged red blood cells are found in the circulation.

A doctor who specialises in the identification and treatment plans for infections.

Identification and treatment for bacterial and viral infections.

Small area of cancer cell spread that are too small to be detected without a microscope.

Of extremely small size, visible only by the aid of a microscope.

An assessment of a tissue sample under the microscope. Found by counting the number of cells dividing. Cell division is the way in which cells (including cancers) grow.

The study of proteins and genes inside cells.

A test used to look at the inside of the body, particularly the soft tissues. It uses a large magnet create a picture of the internal organs. More information is available in the patient information leaflet MRI scan.

Inflammation of the mucous membranes, especially in the gut. Can cause pain, infection, diarrhoea and bleeding. See also stomatitis

Change in genetic coding. The genes in the cell determine how the cell grows and behaves. Mutation of the genes means that the cell will grow and behave in an abnormal way.

Decrease in activity of the bone marrow. This causes a drop in the number of blood cells (which are made in the bone marrow). This causes anaemia (low red blood cells), thrombocytopaenia (low platelets) and leucopaenia (low white blood cells). There is more information available in the blood cell section of the chemotherapy booklet.

Changes in the way the heart works that could cause problems. Myocardial means the heart and dysfunction means a change or loss of proper function.

Heart attack. Usually as a result of damage to the heart muscle because of a lack of blood flow to provide the heart with oxygen