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- CA19-9A chemical marker produced by some types of cancer, which can be found in the blood. It is sometimes found in people who have suspected pancreatic cancer, but is not specific enough to use as a screening test.
- CA125A tumour marker (chemical) produced by many ovarian cancers. Can be used to monitor the success of treatment. CA125 is not produced in all ovarian cancers. It is also produced in some other conditions that are not cancers (for example, endometriosis and fibroids).
- Caesium (caesium 137, caesium wires)A radioactive metal used to treat cancers of the cervix, uterus and vagina. Also used in the form of thin wires to treat other types of cancer.
- CalcificationCalcium collecting in the body tissues. In breast tissue, can be picked up on a mammogram. Calcification itself is harmless in the breast, but particular patterns of calcification may be a sign of breast cancer.
- CalciumA substance which is essential to life. Calcium salts are needed for healthy bones and teeth. A small amount of calcium is found in the blood. If this level is too high (hypercalcaemia) or too low (hypocalcaemia) this can be dangerous. Levels of calcium can be measured with a blood test.
- CancerCancer is a disease where a population of cells in the body grow and divide without responding to the normal processes that limit their growth. They can spread into and destroy nearby tissues, and may spread to other parts of the body through the blood stream or lymphatic system. Cancerous(...)
- Cancer AustraliaThis is an Australian Government agency, working to reduce the impact of cancer on all Australians.
- Cancer CouncilsLeading cancer charities providing information, support, and research funding at state and national levels.
- Cancer HelplineThe Cancer Helpline is an Australia-wide telephone information and support service operating from each state and territory Cancer Council. Callers using the 13 11 20 telephone number are generally connected to the helpline in their state or territory capital city (which is generally staffed by(...)
- Cancer of unknown primaryThe diagnosis when metastatic cancer is found but the place the cancer began (the primary site) cannot be found.
- Cancer typeA term used to refer to the part of the body in which the cancer started. For example, breast cancer. This term may also be used to describe the type of cell a cancer is made of, such as adenocarcinoma (glandular cells) or gliobastoma (glial cells).
- Cancer unitA unit in a local hospital where the staff have expertise in diagnosing and treating common types of cancer. The unit is overseen by cancer consultants.
- Cancer vaccinesA type of experimental treatment currently being researched. It may be able to limit cancer growth or eventually, stop people getting cancers. Research for this type of treatment is at a very early stage.
- Cancer Voices NSWAn independent advocacy organisation representing the needs of people affected by cancer.
- CannulaA tube put into the body for giving, or draining off, fluid. It usually means a fine tube that goes into a vein.
- Capecitabine (Xeloda)An oral chemotherapy drug used in the treatment of breast, colorectal and pancreatic cancer
- Capillary networkSystem of the smallest blood vessels found throughout the body. The capillaries connect the bigger blood vessels, such as arteries and veins, and take oxygen and nutrients directly to the body cells.
- Capsular contractureA complication of breast reconstruction surgery using an implant. After the operation, a fibrous covering (capsule) naturally forms around the implant. In some women the capsule can shrink and become tight, making the implant change shape.
- CarboplatinA chemotherapy drug used to treat a number of cancers including ovarian, endometrial, lung and head and neck cancer.
- Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)A marker (chemical) used to help diagnose some types of cancer, such as bowel cancer. It can also be used to check whether the cancer may have come back (recurred). CEA is not always a reliable test for cancer. The level can go up due to other illnesses and it does not always go up in everyone(...)
- CarcinogenSomething that causes cancer.
- Carcinoid tumourCarcinoid tumours are rare tumours that start in the neuroendocrine system, which is made up of nerve and gland cells that make hormones. Carcinoid tumours most often start in the small bowel or appendix but can occur in other parts of the body. They are usually slow growing.
- CarcinomaA cancer of the epithelial tissue that covers all the body organs and lines all the body cavities (for example, skin). Most cancers are carcinomas.
- Carcinoma in situAn early cancer that has not broken through the basement membrane of the tissue it is growing in. So it cannot spread anywhere else in the body and can usually be cured by removing it surgically.
- CarcinomatosisMeans that a cancer has spread to many different sites throughout the body, or sometimes, a large area of the body. It may also be called carcinosis.
- Cardiac sphincterThe valve between the bottom of the foodpipe and the top of the stomach. The valve opens to allow food to pass into the stomach but stops the stomach contents moving back up into the foodpipe (oesophagus).
- Carmustine (BCNU, Gliadel wafer)A chemotherapy drug. It can be given intravenously where it is used for the treatment of brain tumours and lymphoma. It can also be given as an implantable wafer for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme.
- CartilageDense, tough tissue that lines the joints. A cancer of cartilage is called a chondrosarcoma.
- CatheterA tube passed into the body to drain away fluid. For example, a urinary catheter which drains urine from the bladder.
- CauteryControlling bleeding or destroying an area of body tissue, using either a needle heated by an electric current, or a chemical substance.
- Cell adhesionCells sticking together, so that they stay in the right place in the body. Most normal cells must do this to survive. The cells stick together using specific adhesion molecules (receptors) that interact with molecules (counterreceptors) on the surface of other cells.
- Cell (cells)The building blocks of the body. Every part of the body is made up of individual cells. Cells are basically very similar. But each type of cell is specially adapted for the part of the body it makes up. For example, the liver is made up of liver cells. Cancer is a disease that starts with one(...)
- Cell differentiationThe process of cells becoming specialised as they grow and develop. For example, cells 'differentiate' into mature blood cells or bone cells. Very young cells are not very specialised. They haven't developed the particlar specialised features of differentiated cells. See also the glossary term(...)
- Cell division (doubling, growth, multiplying)How cells multiply and so body tissues grow. Each cell can split into two, reproducing itself exactly. This is called doubling. Normally, this is a slow, well controlled process. In cancer, it gets out of control. Cell division happens too often and so a lump is formed. In cancers of the blood(...)
- Central lineA central line is a long plastic tube that goes into a large vein near the heart. They can be used for taking blood samples and giving drugs, including chemotherapy. In some types, the tube comes out of the body at the side of the neck, or into the chest. An injection can be given into the(...)
- Central nervous systemThis includes the brain and spinal cord.
- Central nervous system lymphoma (CNS lymphoma)Cancer of the lymphatic system that starts in the brain or spinal cord.
- Cervical cancerCancer of the neck of the womb. The neck of the womb is also called the cervix.
- Cervical erosionAn inflamed area on the cervix (neck of the womb). It is often picked up on a cervical smear test, but is nothing to do with cancer. It often gets better by itself with no treatment, although it can be treated if it doesn't go away on its own.
- Cervical smearA type of screening test for early cell changes that could develop into cancer of the neck of the womb (cervical cancer) if left untreated.
- CervixNeck of the womb.
- Cetuximab (Erbitux)An antibody that blocks the epidermal growth factor receptor. It is used in the treatment of colorectal, head and neck and lung cancer.
- CHART (Continuous hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy)A way of giving radiotherapy in which more than one treatment (fraction) per day is given.
- Check up (check ups)Medical appointments after treatment has finished, to see how you are. These appointments are sometimes called 'follow up'.
- ChemoradiationChemotherapy and radiotherapy given together. You may have chemotherapy through a pump during part of your course of radiotherapy. Or you may have one treatment 'sandwiched' between the other – for example, chemotherapy, then your radiotherapy, then more chemotherapy.
- ChemotherapyDrug treatment. In cancer care the term is used to mean anti-cancer drugs. There are many types of cancer chemotherapy drugs and they are divided into groups - alkylating agents, nitrosoureas, antimetabolites, anthracyclines, topoisomerase inhibitors and mitotic inhibitors. These drugs may(...)
- Chemotherapy course (course of chemotherapy)A series of anti-cancer drug treatments. Chemotherapy is normally given in cycles – where the drugs are given and then there is a break to allow the body to recover before the drugs are given again. A course of treatment is made up of a number of cycles of treatment. So, a course of treatment(...)
- Chemotherapy pump (infusion pump)Machine which controls how fast anti-cancer drugs are given. Some types of pump are attached to a drip. Other types are small, portable pumps which hold their own syringe or bag of drugs. The portable pumps can be used at home, with trips to the hospital only to change the syringe or bag.
- Chemotherapy regimenA plan for giving chemotherapy treatment. It may include only one chemotherapy drug or a combination of drugs. The regime describes the names of the drugs, the dose of each drug, how often you have them and how many doses you will have. If a cancer continues to grow or comes back after a(...)
- Chemotherapy side effectsUnwanted effects of treatment with anti-cancer drugs (sickness, hair loss etc).