Cancer Terminology - Cancer Definitions

Cancer terminology and cancer definitions
used in Bishop Natural Cancer Reports, research and treatment.

The following cancer terminology ( cancer definitions ) are used in Bishop Natural Cancer Reports, medical research and cancer treatment.

Angiogenesis
The formation and growth of new blood vessels that cancer tumors develop so they can continue to grow and spread.

Animal Research
Cancer cells are placed into animals or the animals are bred to develop cancer tumors. Anti-cancer treatments are given the animals to see the effect. Typically, animal research is done prior to human research.

Apoptosis
Programmed cell death. Cells are intended to live, multiply and function for a predetermined length of time. At predetermined times cells should die. This is a natural process. 

Carcinogen
Something that causes cancer.

Carcinogenesis
The process by which normal cells are changed into cancer cells.

Cancer Stem Cells
Cells within tumors that have the ability to replicate and turn into all types of cancer cells.

Cellularity
The number and type of cells in a given tissue.

Ceruloplasmin
The major copper carrying protein in the blood.

Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer includes Colon Cancer, Rectal Cancer and Appendix Cancer.

Electrothermia
Electric high temperature treatment to a specific organ or the whole body.

Gap Junction
Molecule and ion communication between cells.

Glycolysis
Using glycogen or glucose for energy production. Cancer cells typically use glycogen or glucose for energy production.

HER2/neu
HER2/neu is also know as HER2, ErbB-2 and ERBB2. This protein is part of the epidermal growth factor receptor group. These growth factors are known for their role in several cancers including breast cancer. The receptor is found on the cell membrane and when stimulated leads to cell growth.

Human Research
Anti-cancer treatments are given to humans to see the effect. This is the best type of research. Due to moral and ethical issues human research is typically the last step before wide scale acceptance and treatment with a therapy.

Hypoxia
Low oxygen supply.

Hyperthermia
High temperature treatment.

In Vitro
In test tube or petri dish. Usually referring to laboratory research.

In Vivo
In the body. Usually referring to research done in side an animal or human body.

Laboratory Research
Research done with cancer cells grown in cultures. Typically done as a screening for potential treatments and prior to animal research.

Metastasis
Spreading of cancer or tumor cells to other parts of the body.

Oncogenisis
Creation of cancer. The process by which normal cells are changed into cancer cells.

Synergistic
When two or more items work together so the total effect is greater than the sum of the two (or more).

VEGF
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor - A signal protein produced by cells that stimulate blood vessel growth to restore oxygen and nutrients to tissues or tumors when blood circulation is inadequate.

Xenograft
Placement of tissue, in this context a tumor or cancer cells, from one species into another species.

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