Back to Cancer Australia’s website
Search
(clear)
- Lymphatic vessels (lymph vessels)The channels, or tubes, of the lymphatic system.
- LymphoblasticLymphoblasts are early types of white blood cell that the B and T lymphocytes develop from. Lymphoblastic lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that involves the lymphoblasts. It is a high grade lymphoma. There is also a type of leukaemia called acute lymphoblastic (or lymphocytic)(...)
- LymphocytesType of white blood cell. There are two types of lymphocytes, B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes. They are part of the body's defense against disease, the immune response. B lymphocytes produce antibodies, helped by T lymphocytes.
- LymphoedemaSwelling of a part of the body due to blockage of the lymph vessels. An arm or leg are most commonly affected. Lymphoedema can occur after surgery or radiotherapy which damage the lymph glands, or because cancer is blocking the lymph glands.
- LymphogramA test using dye that shows lymph nodes and how lymphatic fluid circulates on an X-ray. It is sometimes used to try to pick out which lymph node is the first to drain lymph fluid from a particular organ, or part of an organ.
- LymphokinesA collective name for the interleukin growth factors. The interleukins are produced mainly by T cells. They stimulate other cells of the immune system to grow and mature.
- LymphomaLymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system. There are two main types of lymphoma: Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Both have similar symptoms: enlarged lymph nodes (glands), tiredness and often heavy sweating, unexplained high temperatures and weight loss. They are often treated(...)
- MacrophagesA type of white blood cell. Part of the immune system. Macrophages are found in the lymph nodes where they help to fight infection. They surround and kill infectious or abnormal cells, including cancer cells.
- Magic bulletA popular name for targeted treatment using biological therapies.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, nuclear magnetic resonance)A scan using magnetism to build up a picture of the organs inside the body. These scans are painless, but very noisy.
- MalignantCancerous. Opposite of benign.
- Malignant fibrous histiocytomas (MFH)These are cancers that start in fibrous tissue cells called histiocytes. MFH is one type of a group of tumours called spindle cell sarcomas.
- Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours (MPNST)Cancers that start in cells that surround the nerves. This group of tumours includes neurofibrosarcoma and malignant schwannomas.
- MammogramAn X-ray examination of the breast.
- MammographyUsing X-rays to examine the breast.
- MarkerA chemical substance produced by a cancer and used to monitor the progress of the disease. Usually measured by a blood test.
- Marker seedsThe seeds are like small rods inserted into the prostate gland – like ‘landmarks’ so radiotherapy can be given as accurately as possible.
- Mask (mould, shell)A clear plastic mask of the head made to hold the head and neck still. It is worn during radiotherapy treatment.
- MassageRubbing or kneading the body to stimulate the circulation and relax tension in the muscles. Can produce a general feeling of relaxation and well being. It may reduce symptoms of cancer or the side effects of treatment.
- MastectomyAn operation to remove the breast.
- Mastectomy brasBras designed for women who have had a breast removed. Each cup has a pocket inside it to hold an artificial breast (prosthesis).
- Mastectomy exercisesExercises designed to be done after surgery to remove a breast. Aim to prevent stiffness in the arm and shoulder.
- Mastectomy swimwearSwimsuits or bikinis designed for women who have had breast surgery. Each cup has a pocket inside it to hold a false breast {prosthesis).
- Maximum doseThe highest dose of a drug or radiotherapy that can be safely given.
- MeaslesAn infectious disease caused by a virus. Measles can be dangerous to people who have low resistance to infection, for instance after chemotherapy. There is a vaccination for measles, but it should NOT be given during chemotherapy treatment as it is a live virus vaccine.
- MedianA term used in statistics and trial results. It means the middle number in a series of numbers. For example, if five children are aged 2, 3, 5, 7, and 13, the median age is 5.
- Median survivalThe time from either diagnosis or treatment at which half of the patients with a given disease are found to be, or expected to be, still alive. In a clinical trial, median survival time is one way to measure how effective a treatment is.
- MediastinoscopyAn examination of the mediastinum (the central area of the chest). The doctor makes a small cut at the base of the neck and puts a small tube through the cut and into the mediastinum. They can look through this tube to examine the area and also take tissue samples (biopsies) if necessary.
- Medical historyRecord of a person's illnesses, allergies, operations and other medical treatments. All doctors ask for this information when they first see a patient.
- Medical oncologistA doctor specialising in the treatment of cancer with chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and biological therapies.
- Medical physicistA specialist in using radiation to diagnose and treat illness. Makes sure equipment is accurate and safe, and advises doctors on planning radiotherapy treatment and the best type of test or radiotherapy machine to use.
- Medulloblastoma (PNET)A type of brain tumour. The most common type in children. These tumours are now called primitive neuroectodermal tumours (PNET's) because they develop from primitive (poorly developed) nerve cells in the brain. The term medulloblastoma is no longer used.
- Megestrol (Megace)Acts like progesterone and can be used as an appetite stimulant.
- MelanocytesThe cells in the innermost layer of the epidermis that make the skin pigment, melanin. Melanin is what gives you a sun tan. These cells become cancerous in malignant melanoma.
- Melanoma (malignant melanoma)A particular type of skin cancer. It develops from the cells that produce the skin pigment, melanin. It may develop from an existing mole or may appear as a new mole. Very rarely, melanoma can occur in other parts of the body, such as the eye or in an internal body organ. If melanoma is found(...)
- Melphalan (Alkeran)A chemotherapy drug used in the treatment of multiple myeloma.
- MEN 1 (multiple endocrine neoplasia 1)MEN 1 is a rare inherited condition in which you develop tumours in the endocrine system, most commonly in the parathyroid and pituitary glands and the pancreas. But tumours can also develop in the bowel, stomach, pituitary or adrenal glands. The tumours can be benign (not cancer) or malignant(...)
- MEN 2 (multiple endocrine neoplasia 2)MEN 2 is a rare inherited condition where you develop tumours in the endocrine system. The tumours are most often in the thyroid gland but can also develop in the adrenal glands and occasionally the parathyroid glands.
- MEN (multiple endocrine neoplasia)MEN is a rare inherited condition in which two or more tumours develop in the endocrine system. There are several types of MEN and the type you have influences where the tumours develop. MEN is caused by a faulty gene and the genetic fault is different with each type of MEN. The tumours may be(...)
- MeningiomaA type of brain tumour. Usually benign. It develops from the covering of the brain and spinal cord (meninges). Can be anywhere in the brain or spinal cord.
- Menopause'Change of life'. The period of time between the early forties and late fifties when women stop producing sex hormones. Periods become irregular and stop and women can't become pregnant any longer.
- Mercaptopurine (Puri-Nethol)A chemotherapy drug used in the treatment of acute lymphocytic leukaemia.
- Mesenchymal stem cellsThese are multipotent stem cells that can differentiate into a variety of cell types.
- Mesna (Urometixan)A drug used to prevent bleeding from the bladder which can be caused by the chemotherapy drug ifosfamide.
- MesotheliomaA type of cancer most commonly diagnosed in the sheets of skin-like tissue that cover each lung. These are called the pleura, or pleural membranes. Mesothelioma is sometimes also diagnosed in the peritoneum. This is the sheet of tissue that lines the wall of the abdominal cavity and covers the(...)
- Meta-analysis (meta-analyses)Taking the results of many trials that have tested the same treatment, and looking at the results all together. This can give a more accurate picture than looking at the results of each trial separately.
- Metastases (metastasis, secondary cancer, secondaries)Areas where cancer has spread to from the original tumour. For example, areas in the liver where cancer has spread from another part of the body are called liver metastases.
- Metastatic breast cancerBreast cancer which has spread to other parts of the body.
- Metastatic cancerMetastatic cancer is cancer that has spread from where it started to other parts of the body.
- Methotrexate (Methoblastin)A chemotherapy drug used in the treatment of many different cancers. These include breast, head and neck, gastrointestinal and gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. It is also used in the treatment of osteosarcoma, acute lymphocytic leukaemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and meningeal carcinomatosis.