Glossary
Ovarian cancer is a complex topic amidst an even more complex topic of cancer in general. Here you will find glossaries for general, womens health, cancer related, integrative and specific ovarian cancer related terms.
Adjuvant Therapy
If you've been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, your doctor may not only explain your need for surgery but adjuvant therapy. Learn the definition of adjuvant therapy.
If you've been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, your doctor may not only explain your need for surgery but adjuvant therapy. Learn the definition of adjuvant therapy.
Adenopathy (Lymphadenopathy)
Adenopathy, or lymphadenopathy, is a description of enlarged lymph nodes found on physical examination or scans.
Adenopathy, or lymphadenopathy, is a description of enlarged lymph nodes found on physical examination or scans.
Abscess
Ovarian cancer surgery can lead to the formation of an abscess. What is an abscess? Should you be concerned about an abscess forming after your sugery? Learn more here.
Ovarian cancer surgery can lead to the formation of an abscess. What is an abscess? Should you be concerned about an abscess forming after your sugery? Learn more here.
Adnexal Mass
Your doctor diagnosed you with an adnexal mass. What is an adnexal mass? What does having one mean? Is an adnexal mass cancerous? Learn the definition of adnexal mass, where they are typically located, and if they are indeed always considered cancerous.
Your doctor diagnosed you with an adnexal mass. What is an adnexal mass? What does having one mean? Is an adnexal mass cancerous? Learn the definition of adnexal mass, where they are typically located, and if they are indeed always considered cancerous.
Advance Directive
Advance directive documents are patient legal documents. If an individual is very sick, for example, an advance directive may be suggested. Learn the full definition of an advance directive.
Advance directive documents are patient legal documents. If an individual is very sick, for example, an advance directive may be suggested. Learn the full definition of an advance directive.
Allopathic
You may hear the terms allopathic or allopathy in relation to medicine. What does allopathic mean? Learn the definition of allopathic here.
You may hear the terms allopathic or allopathy in relation to medicine. What does allopathic mean? Learn the definition of allopathic here.
Alpha Fetoprotein (AFP)
What is AFP, otherwise known as alpha fetoprotein? Is AFP is found in the blood, is it considered normal? Learn the definition of AFP.
What is AFP, otherwise known as alpha fetoprotein? Is AFP is found in the blood, is it considered normal? Learn the definition of AFP.
Abdomen
The human abdomen is the central portion of the body which contains organs such as the intestines, liver and spleen, among others.
The human abdomen is the central portion of the body which contains organs such as the intestines, liver and spleen, among others.
Adenocarcinoma
Adenocarcinoma of the ovary is the most common type of ovarian malignancy.
Adenocarcinoma of the ovary is the most common type of ovarian malignancy.
Antibody
A antibody is a tiny biochemical particle produced by specialized immune system cells called lymphocytes.
A antibody is a tiny biochemical particle produced by specialized immune system cells called lymphocytes.
Antigen
A antigen is a chemical substance,found on the surface of a foreign microscopic object such as bacteria, virus or cancer cell.
A antigen is a chemical substance,found on the surface of a foreign microscopic object such as bacteria, virus or cancer cell.
Ascites
Ascites in ovarian cancer is an excess accumulation of fluid inside the abdomen, produced by cancer cells.
Ascites in ovarian cancer is an excess accumulation of fluid inside the abdomen, produced by cancer cells.
Biopsy
Definitive diagnosis of ovarian cancer requires removing at least a small sample of tissue from the cancerous area. The procedure is called a biopsy.
Definitive diagnosis of ovarian cancer requires removing at least a small sample of tissue from the cancerous area. The procedure is called a biopsy.
Intraperitoneal
Intraperitoneal means inside the peritoneum. The peritoneum is the internal skin-like lining inside the abdomen.
Intraperitoneal means inside the peritoneum. The peritoneum is the internal skin-like lining inside the abdomen.
Malignant
Ovarian cancer is malignant by definition. The terms malignant or malignancy and cancer are interchangeable.
Ovarian cancer is malignant by definition. The terms malignant or malignancy and cancer are interchangeable.
Metastasis
When ovarian cancer cells break off of the ovary and spread to other parts of your body, the ovarian cancer is said to have metastasized.
When ovarian cancer cells break off of the ovary and spread to other parts of your body, the ovarian cancer is said to have metastasized.
Omentum
The omentum is a large fatty structure which essentially hangs off the middle of your colon and drapes over the intestines inside the abdomen.
The omentum is a large fatty structure which essentially hangs off the middle of your colon and drapes over the intestines inside the abdomen.
Palliation
When the ovarian cancer treatment goal is mainly to relieve symptoms caused by a cancer it is known as palliative care or palliation.
When the ovarian cancer treatment goal is mainly to relieve symptoms caused by a cancer it is known as palliative care or palliation.
Tumor
Ovarian tumors are growths which can be benign or cancerous.
Ovarian tumors are growths which can be benign or cancerous.
Ovarian Cancer: Comprehensive Cancer-Related Glossary
The National Cancer Institute maintains the most comprehensive glossary of cancer-related terms and phrases on the internet. Browse or search this NCI-sponsored public database of cancer-related terminology.
The National Cancer Institute maintains the most comprehensive glossary of cancer-related terms and phrases on the internet. Browse or search this NCI-sponsored public database of cancer-related terminology.
About Herbs: A Comprehensive Glossary of Botanicals & Cancer
Ovarian cancer treatment can sometimes be augmented with integrative therapies to help alleviate side effects. These should always be discussed with your oncologist before use and you will find additional articles and information on this site about the evidence behind their use. This glossary is particularly useful because it makes reference to specific cancer related herbal terms.
Ovarian cancer treatment can sometimes be augmented with integrative therapies to help alleviate side effects. These should always be discussed with your oncologist before use and you will find additional articles and information on this site about the evidence behind their use. This glossary is particularly useful because it makes reference to specific cancer related herbal terms.
A-Z Herbs, Vitamins, and Nutritional Supplements
Browse or search our About.com glossary of Vitamins, Herbs & Natural Supplements for quick information about common herbs, vitamins, or nutritional supplements.
Browse or search our About.com glossary of Vitamins, Herbs & Natural Supplements for quick information about common herbs, vitamins, or nutritional supplements.
General Cancer Terms
General cancer terms.
General cancer terms.
Women's Health Terms
Comprehensive glossary of terms regarding women's health, primarily focusing on senior health issues.
Comprehensive glossary of terms regarding women's health, primarily focusing on senior health issues.
ADAM Health Illustrated Encyclopedia of Health Terms
ADAM presents a comprehensive encyclopedia of general health and medical terms with illustrations.
ADAM presents a comprehensive encyclopedia of general health and medical terms with illustrations.