Medical dictionary

What is brachytherapy? Brachytherapy is a treatment that places sealed radioactive sources inside the patient temporarily or permanently to damage the DNA of the cancer cells and destroy their reproductive capacity, division, and growth. Brachytherapy allows the oncologist to use a high dose of radiation to treat an area in less time than conventional radiation therapy. It can be used to treat

What is prostate brachytherapy? Brachytherapy is a treatment that places radioactive sources inside the patient temporarily or permanently to damage the DNA of cancer cells and destroy their growth. In this case, radioactive ‘seeds’ are placed in the prostate gland to destroy prostate cancer cells.   How is prostate brachytherapy performed? Brachytherapy usual

What is a catheter?   A catheter is a thin tube usually made of soft, flexible plastic. It is a medical device used to transfer liquids into or out of the body. Due to the broad number of possible applications of such a device, there are several different types of catheters.     Why is it done?   Urinary catheters are used to drain urine from the bladde

What is chlamydia? Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) caused by bacteria. It is passed from one person to another through unprotected sex and is particularly common in sexually active teenagers and young adults. Most people with chlamydia do not notice any symptoms and do not realise that they have it. What causes chlamydia? Chlamydia is caused by

What is cholecystitis? Cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder. If not treated, it can lead to more serious infections, or become a long-term condition (chronic cholecystitis). What are the symptoms of cholecystitis? The main symptom is pain in the upper right or middle of the abdomen, which usually lasts about 30 minutes. Other symptoms can be: Light-coloured stools

What is circumcision? Circumcision is the total or partial removal of the foreskin of the penis via a surgical procedure. The foreskin is the skin that covers the head (or glans) of the penis. A general anaesthetic will be used to render the patient unconscious during the procedure or a local anaesthetic will be used to numb the area.   Why is it done? There are several reason

What is a coronavirus? Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause mild to moderate upper-respiratory illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe illnesses such as pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). Almost everyone will get infected by a coronavirus at least once in their life, and most of the time t

What is cryosurgery?Cryosurgery is a type of surgery that uses freezing cold temperatures to destroy abnormal tissues such as tumours or precancerous skin lesions. In most cases liquid nitrogen is used, but carbon dioxide or argon gas can be used as well. When these are low enough temperatures, anything in contact with it instantly freezes, which when on human skin kills the cells on contact. 

What is cryotherapy? Cryotherapy is a relatively new, minimally invasive treatment used to treat prostate and kidney cancer. By undergoing cryotherapy, you can avoid open surgery or radiotherapy. It can also be used as secondary treatment if the surgery or radiotherapy fails. This technique uses ultrafine needles, similar to those used in biopsies, to deliver very cold gases to destroy cancer.