Physicians use many words and phrases to describe the diagnosis, treatment and management of blood disorders and cancer that are unfamiliar to many of our patients. Therefore, HOA has compiled this helpful glossary of medical terms.
Adapted from publications of the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute.
Glossary of Medical Terms
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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI):a technique using magnetic fields to produce images of the body; useful in disease diagnosis, including cancer. Malabsorption:impaired intestinal absorption of nutrients. Malignant tumor:a mass of cancer cells. A malignant tumor may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant areas of the body. Mammogram:the image produced by a low-dose x-ray of the breast. Melanoma:a type of skin cancer such as a mole, which changes in appearance. Metastasis:the spread of cancer cells to distant areas of the body by way of the lymph system or bloodstream. The term "metastases" refers to these new cancer sites. Monoclonal antibodies:antibodies designed to seek out chosen targets on cancer cells; they are under study to deliver chemotherapy and radiotherapy directly to a cancer, thus killing the cancer cells and sparing healthy tissue. MRI:see magnetic resonance imaging. Mucous membranes:tissues that line the passages and cavities that communicate with air, such as the GI tract.
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