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- 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.
- Ulcerative colitisA disease of the bowel (colon) causing inflammation, pain, bleeding and watery diarrhoea. The disease is not really curable but tends to come and go. Having ulcerative colitis for more than 10 years increases the risk of bowel cancer, so doctors may suggest regular tests.
- Ultrasound (ultrasound scan, ultrasound scans)Scan using sound waves to build up a picture of the inside of the body. A gel is put on the skin and a microphone passed back and forth over the area to be scanned. A computer converts the reflected sound waves into a picture on a screen.
- Ultraviolet (UVA,UVB)Ultraviolet light is light that we cannot see. But it is an important part of sunlight. Ultraviolet light is divided into UVA, UVB and UVC. UVC cannot get through the ozone layer to reach us. But UVA and UVB can both increase the risk of skin cancer, including malignant melanoma. Sunbathing(...)
- UndifferentiatedVery immature cells that are not specialised are called undifferentiated. If a cancer cell is completely undifferentiated, it may not be possible to tell what type of cell it originally was, and where in the body it is from.
- Urea and electrolytes (blood test)A test on a blood sample, to check the levels of urea and other electrolytes. Electrolytes are substances such as sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate. The test is often called 'checking the U+Es'. The balance of urea and electrolytes is important for our bodies to work normally.
- UrethraTube which carries urine from the bladder to the outside of body.
- UrgencyThis term is used by health care staff to mean having very little warning of the need to either pass urine (urgency of micturition) or have your bowels open (frequency of defaecation). It means having to go to the toilet straight away.
- Urinary systemThe system of the body that removes waste products from the blood and makes urine. It includes the kidneys and bladder.
- Urostomy bag (urostomy bags)A bag that is made to use with a urostomy. There are one piece and two piece types and many different designs. It may take a few tries to find the one that suits you. Your stoma nurse can help you find the right one.
- Urostomy (ileal conduit)An opening onto the surface of the abdomen (tummy). It is used to drain urine after the bladder has been removed. A bag is worn over the opening to collect the urine. This operation is sometimes called an ileal conduit because a piece of small bowel (ileum) is usually used to carry the urine(...)
- UrotheliumThe layer of cells that lines most of the urinary system, including the area at the centre of each kidney (known as the renal pelvis), the ureters and parts of the urethra.
- Uterine cancerCancer of the womb.
- UTI (urinary tract infection)Urinary tract infection - it means a urine or bladder infection.
- Vaccination (vaccinations)Giving a small amount of an inactivated or weakened form of a disease to give immunity against catching that disease. Some vaccines are live and should not be given to people having chemotherapy.
- Vaginal dilators (dilator, dilators)Penis-shaped plastic objects used to stretch the vagina after radiotherapy to the pelvic area or cervix. Can help to prevent the vagina becoming too narrow to have sex comfortably. Can also be used to prevent narrowing of the vagina after surgery that has caused nerve damage in that area.
- Vaginal douche (douching)Cleaning the inside of the vagina by rinsing with water. Sometimes suggested after radiotherapy to the vagina or cervix, to prevent infection.
- Vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN)Vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN) means there are abnormal cells in the skin tissue lining the vagina. The abnormal cells are trapped in the skin and have not spread away from where they started, or begun to grow into the deeper tissues of the vagina.
- Vaginal packGauze wadding put into the vagina. May be used during internal radiotherapy to help keep the applicators holding the radioactive source in place. Also used to prevent bleeding after some types of gynecological surgery.
- VagusA large and important nerve. The vagus nerve helps to control digestion by controlling the release of digestive juices. The vagus can be damaged during surgery to the digestive system, for example, gastrectomy (removal of the stomach).
- Valsalva manoeuvreA way of increasing the pressure in the abdomen. Used after bladder reconstruction to drain the 'new' bladder. You hold your breath, close your throat and try to breathe out. When you do this you automatically push down and the increase in pressure inside the abdomen pushes the urine out of(...)
- VEGF – vascular endothelial growth factorA substance made by cells, which helps new blood vessels develop and grow. Some cancer treatments target VEGF to stop cancers developing the blood vessels they need.
- VesicantA vesicant is a drug that can cause damage if it leaks into the tissue around a tube (cannula) giving the drug into a vein. It can cause pain, inflammation and ulceration which can take quite a long time to heal. Your chemotherapy nurse will keep a close eye on your drip If you have a drug(...)
- VinblastineA chemotherapy drug used in the treatment of lymphoma.
- VincristineA chemotherapy drug used in the treatment of lymphoma, acute leukaemia, multiple myeloma, breast cancer and childhood tumours (Wilms’ tumour, neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma).
- Vinorelbine (Navelbine)A chemotherapy drug used in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer and metastatic breast cancer.
- VipomaA rare type of endocrine tumour of the pancreas which secretes (makes and releases) abnormal amounts of a hormone called VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide).
- Vitamin B12A vitamin needed for the healthy growth of red blood cells. Found in meat (particularly liver, kidney and heart), eggs, fish, cheese and milk. If you have had your stomach removed (gastrectomy), you need B12 injections to stop you developing pernicious anaemia.
- Vitamin CAn antioxidant vitamin found in many fruits and vegetables. Antioxidant vitamins may help prevent cancer by stopping damage to body cells. Your body can't store vitamin C. Make sure you eat 5 portions of fruit and vegetables every day for a healthy, balanced diet.
- Vitamin DA vitamin found in butter, eggs and oily fish (such as sardines, herrings and mackerel and salmon) and added to margarine. It is also produced in our skin when we are out in the sun. Vitamin D is needed for healthy bones. It is absorbed in the stomach and you may need to take extra vitamin D(...)
- Vitamin EAn antioxidant vitamin found in vegetable oils, cereals, nuts, green vegetables and eggs. Antioxidant vitamins may help prevent cancer by stopping damage to body cells. If you eat a balanced diet, you are unlikely to be short of vitamin E.
- Vitamin KA fat soluble vitamin which is important for blood clotting. If you have some types of liver or pancreatic disease you may need to have vitamin K injections.
- VitaminsNaturally occurring substances that are necessary for normal growth and keeping healthy. Vitamins must be included in small amounts in the diet because they cannot be made by the body.
- Vocal cordsTwo bands of muscle that form a 'V' shape inside the voice box (larynx). These vibrate together when air passes between them. The vibrations make the sound of your voice.
- VomitingThe reflex act of ejecting the contents of the stomach through the mouth.
- Vulval intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN)Precancerous changes in the skin cells of a woman's external sex organs (the vulva). If you have VIN there is a risk that it may develop into vulval cancer over many years. It is sometimes called vulval dysplasia, which means abnormal cells. VIN is categorised as mild, moderate or severe(...)
- Wedge resectionAn operation to remove a small V-shaped piece (wedge) of an organ. For example, you can have a wedge resection of the breast, lung or liver.
- WheezingNoisy breathing. A wheeze is a sound typically made when breathing out. It is caused by the airways narrowing or being partly blocked with mucus (or a tumour).
- White blood cells (white blood cell, white cells)Cells in the blood which fight infection and produce antibodies.
- Whole cell vaccinesA vaccine that uses the whole cancer cell, not just a specific cell protein (antigen), to make the vaccine. The vaccine is made from a patient's own cancer cells, another person's cancer cells or cancer cells grown in the laboratory.