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- Transformation zoneThe area at the opening of the cervix into the womb. This is the area where precancerous cells are most likely to be found during a cervical smear test and also where cervical cancer is most likely to start.
- Transitional cell(s)A type of cell found in the bladder. Transitional cell tissue can stretch, as it does when the bladder fills up. Transitional cell cancer is the most common type of bladder cancer in the UK.
- Transurethral resection (TUR, TURP)An operation to remove the part of an enlarged prostate which is pressing on the urethra (the tube which carries urine from the bladder out of the penis). The prostate is chipped away in tiny pieces and removed through the urethra so there is no scar. TURP can be done for benign enlarged(...)
- Trastuzumab (Herceptin)A monoclonal antibody that acts against the HER2 receptor on breast cancer cells. It is used in the treatment of breast cancer that overexpresses the HER2 receptor.
- Treatment angleA term used in radiotherapy planning. Radiotherapy is often given at an angle to the body rather than directly from in front or behind the patient. This is to minimise the dose of radiotherapy to major body organs as much as possible.
- Tretinoin (ATRA)Used in acute promyelocytic leukaemia for induction of remission.
- Trial centresThe hospitals that are taking part in a particular trial.
- Trial structureHow a trial has been designed.
- Tube feedingGiving liquid food through a tube. Can be either a tube from the nose to the stomach (nasogastric tube), or a tube that goes directly into the stomach from the outside (a gastrostomy tube).
- TumourAnother word for lump. Tumours can be benign (non-cancerous) or cancerous (malignant).
- Tumour flareA temporary increase in symptoms from a cancer after starting treatment. For example, prostate cancer symptoms may increase when treated with pituitary downregulators if anti-androgens are not given for the first few weeks.
- Tumour markersSubstances, usually proteins, produced by a tumour or by the body as a response to cancer. Some tumour markers are only produced by one type of cancer, while others can be made by several cancer types. Some markers are found in non-cancerous conditions as well as cancer. The markers can be(...)
- Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)A type of biological therapy used experimentally for some types of cancer. TNF is a naturally occuring substance produced by blood cells called macrophages and T cells. TNF naturally attacks tumour cells. When it is used as treatment, it is used in much larger quantities. We do not know(...)
- Tumour suppressor genesGenes which switch off cell multiplication. Tumour suppressor genes can mutate and then fail to switch off cell multiplication which contributes to a cancer forming.
- Type of treatmentIn cancer trials, the term 'type of treatment' refers to the type of treatment the trial is testing, for example, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy etc.
- Tyrosine kinaseTyrosine kinases are a group of chemical messengers (enzymes) produced by body cells. They are part of the cell signalling system that tells cells when to divide and grow. Genes that control tyrosine kinase can be abnormal in cancer cells. The abnormal TK then sends too many signals to the(...)
- Tyrosine kinase inhibitorA type of drug that blocks the effects of the enzyme tyrosine kinase.