Medical dictionary

What counts as a family history of breast cancer?   If many members of your family have or had cancer, there is a possibility that it may be caused by a faulty gene that might increase your risk of developing cancer. This is known as a family history of cancer.   In the case of breast cancer, genes that may increase the risk are BRCA1 and BRCA2. An abnormal CHEK2 gene may als

What exactly is meant by cancer genetics? Whatever way we look at it, cancer is a genetic disease. Whilst some types of cancer are known to run in families, not all cancers are linked explicitly to inherited genes. However, it is the gene changes that occur in a single cell over the course of a person's lifetime that cause most cases of cancer.   Therefore, undoubtedly, there is

What is genetic testing? Genetic testing is a tool that is used to find out whether a person is carrying a specific altered (mutated) gene that causes a particular medical condition such as a disease.   What are the different types of genetic testing? The different types of genetic testing and their purpose include: Diagnostic genetic testing – to diagnose a per

What is gynaecological cancer? Gynaecological cancer refers to any cancer that occurs in any of the organs of the female reproductive system, which is located in the pelvic region below the stomach and between the hips. There are five types of gynaecological cancer, differentiated by location: Cervical cancer Ovarian cancer Uterine cancer Vaginal cancer Vulvar cancer Symp

What is head and neck cancer? Head and neck cancer can refer to a number of different types of tumours in various parts of the head and neck, including the mouth, lips, larynx (voice box), pharynx (throat), salivary glands, nose, and sinuses. Cancer is a disease in which a group of cells in the body malfunction and multiply uncontrollably, forming a mass. This mass of abnormal cell growt

What is HIPEC? Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is an alternative method of delivering chemotherapy, used alongside surgery to treat different types of cancer, particularly peritoneal cancer that has spread from the appendix, colon, or stomach. Unlike traditional chemotherapy that is delivered intravenously, HIPEC delivers heated chemotherapy directly into the abdomen to des

What is hormone therapy? Hormone therapy (also known as hormonal therapy) refers to any sort of treatment involving the use of hormones, or, conversely, the use of hormone antagonists to limit the effectiveness of hormones already in the body (this is also known as antihormone therapy). You should see an endocrinologist for treatment. Why would you have hormone therapy? There are a

What is oncological hyperthermia? Oncological hyperthermia is an alternative technique for treating cancer tumours which aims to destroy the tumour through heat. Hyperthermia was the first treatment for cancer in human history, but due to poor accuracy and the risks involved, it is no longer part of standard medical treatment for cancer. However, there are a limited number of clinical trials in

What is immunotherapy? Immunotherapy, also called biological therapy, biotherapy or biological response modifying therapy (BRM therapy), is a set of treatment techniques that boost the body’s natural defences-the immune system to fight cancer and certain infections. Some immunotherapy treatments boost the immune system overall, while others try to teach it to attack specific types of cell