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- Regional limb perfusionA technique for giving chemotherapy into an arm or leg. it is an experimental treatment. Under general anaesthetic, the blood supply to the affected arm or leg is connected to a pump which circulates it, with oxygen and the chemotherapy.
- RelapseAn illness that has seemed to be getting better, or to have been cured, comes back or gets worse again.
- RemissionIf a cancer is in remission, there is no sign of it in examinations or tests. Doctors say 'remission' instead of cure because they cannot always be sure that all cancer cells are gone and the cancer won't come back. Generally, the longer the remission, the less likely it is that the cancer(...)
- ResearchLooking into something in a systematic and logical way to find out new facts about it. Cancer research looks into new treatments, but can also find out many other things about cancers for example, who is at risk, how to prevent cancer and how to lessen side effects of treatment.
- ResectionRemoved (cut away) during an operation.
- Resistance to infectionOur immune system works to destroy infections that enter the body. Some cancer treatments can temporarily lower your white blood cell count and so lower your resistance to infection.
- ResistantNot responsive to treatment. If a cancer becomes resistant to chemotherapy, then the treatment will no longer control or shrink it.
- Respiratory systemThe body system for breathing. Includes the nose, windpipe (trachea), airways and lungs.
- Response rateHow much of the cancer the treatment kills. If the cancer disappears for a period of time it is called a ‘complete response’. If half of the cancer disappears it is called a ‘partial response’. If it stays about the same size it is called ‘stable disease’.
- RetinoblastomaA rare cancer of the eye. This cancer can either be inherited or just develop spontaneously.
- RhabdomyosarcomaA type of cancer that starts in the cells of muscles that we control, such as the muscles in the arms
- Rigid laryngoscopyAn examination of the voice box, done under anaesthetic. A rigid tube is put down your throat. The tube has a light and camera inside so your specialist can see your voice box clearly. This is usually part of a panendoscopy.
- Risk factorsIn medicine, a risk factor is something that may make you more likely to develop a particular condition or illness. For example, smoking is a risk factor for lung cancer and sun exposure a risk factor for skin cancer.
- Rituximab (Mabthera)A monoclonal antibody that is directed against the CD20 antigen (protein) found on the surface B white blood cells (lymphocytes). It is used in the treatment of non-Hogkin’s B-cell lymphoma.
- Rodent ulcerA deep ulcer (hole) in the skin that spreads into and damages the body tissues that surround it. If basal cell skin cancer is left untreated, it can develop into a rodent ulcer.
- Rubella (rubella vaccine, German measles, German measles vaccine)An infectious disease. You should not have a vaccination against rubella if you are having chemotherapy as the vaccine is live.