Back to Cancer Australia’s website
Search
(clear)
- Exocrine (exocrine glands)Glands that secrete (make and release) enzymes through a duct (tube). For example, the exocrine gland cells in the pancreas secrete pancreatic digestive enzymes through the pancreatic duct into the duodenum.
- Experimental groupIn research, a group of patients who are having the treatment being tested in a trial.
- Extended cholecystectomyAn operation to remove the gall bladder, about 2.5 cm of liver tissue near the gallbladder and all the lymph nodes near and around the gall bladder. It may also be called open cholecystectomy.
- Extensive diseaseTerm used by doctors to mean cancer that is widespread within the body or within a particular organ of the body. For example, with small cell lung cancer of the lung, extensive disease is lung cancer that has spread to the chest or to other parts of the body.
- External radiotherapyTreatment with high energy waves which are aimed at a cancer (or the area where a cancer was) from outside the body.
- Extranodal diseaseExtranodal disease means lymphoma that occurs in parts of the body outside the lymphatic system. Most lymphomas occur within the lymphatic system, which consists of a network of lymph glands connected by lymph vessels plus the tonsils, spleen and liver.
- ExtraocularMeans outside the eyeball. If a cancer that has started in the eye is called extraocular, it means it has spread outside the eyeball itself to the optic nerve or eye socket.
- Extrapleural pneumonectomyAn operation to remove the lung, the tissues that cover it (the pleura), part of the diaphragm and the tissue covering the heart (the pericardium). This operation is sometimes used to treat mesothelioma.
- Faecal occult blood test (stool test or FOBT)A test that can pick up tiny traces of blood in the faeces (stool, bowel motion). It is not completely reliable, as some foods and drinks can cause a false positive result. It may also sometimes give a negative result when there is actually a cancer present.
- Faeces (bowel motions, stools)Waste matter from digested food that is passed out of the bowel through the rectum (back passage).
- False negativeIn screening, this means a negative test for a disease when a person has the disease. A potential screening test that produces too many false negative results cannot be widely used.
- False positiveIn screening, this means a positive test for a disease when the person doesn't have the disease. This means that the person has to have further tests that they don't need. The tests may cause side effects. A potential screening test that produces too many false positive results cannot be(...)
- FamilialA familial condition runs in the family. This is different to an inherited condition, which is one that is definitely passed on by a particular gene. A familial condition shows up more often in a particular family, but not everyone gets it and there is no known single inherited gene.
- Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)A rare disease that causes lots of benign polyps (small growths that are not cancerous) to grow in the bowel. It is caused by a faulty inherited gene. People with FAP have an increased risk of getting bowel cancer.
- Familial ovarian cancer registryA register of families that have several cases of ovarian cancer. Researchers use this information to look into heredity and ovarian cancer.
- Family historyA record of the health issues in relatives to see whether any diseases run in the family.
- Fanconi's anaemiaA genetic disorder that can affect children and adults from any ethnic background. It is named after the Swiss doctor who originally described it. People with Fanconi's anaemia are short, have bone changes, and are at risk of developing cancers, leukemia, and bone marrow failure (aplastic(...)
- FatigueAn extreme feeling of tiredness and lack of energy.
- Female hormonesSex hormones found in women, which control fertility and regulate periods – for example, oestrogen and progesterone.
- FertilityThe ability to conceive and have children.
- Fever (fevers)An abnormally high body temperature. Usually taken to mean a temperature above 38oC or 98.4oF.
- Fibre opticsCables filled with very thin fibres that carry light. Can be used to look at the inside of the body and take pictures if needed.
- FibroadenomaFibrous lump found in the breast which is not cancer.
- FibroblastsBody cells that develop into bone, cartilage and collagen cells.
- FibrocytesA type of fibrous tissue cell. The fibrous tissues are amongst the connective tissues of the body. Cancers of the connective tissues are called sarcomas.
- FibroidsBenign (non-cancerous) growths in the womb. Fibroids can cause raised CA125 levels in the blood.
- FibrosarcomaA type of cancer that develops from fibrous tissue cells called fibrocytes. This is a type of primary bone cancer - one of a group of tumours called spindle cell sarcomas.
- FibrosisAn abnormal increase in fibrous tissue in a part of the body. Occurs as a side effect of radiotherapy. Makes the affected tissue less stretchy.
- FIGOStands for Federation of International Gynaecological Oncologists. The FIGO staging system is the most commonly used staging system for ovarian cancer.
- Filgastrim, G-CSF (Neupogen)Recombinant G-CSF which increases the white blood cell count. It is used to prevent and treat low white blood cells caused by chemotherapy. It is also used in the treatment of bone marrow disorders.
- Fine needle aspiration (fine needle, FNA)A type of biopsy where a very thin needle is put into a lump or a lymph gland, and a sample of fluid and cells is sucked out. The cells are looked at under a microscope to see if they are cancerous.
- First degree relativeA first degree relative is your parent, brother or sister, or your child. Half their genes are the same as yours. This only applies to blood relatives.
- First line treatmentThis is the first course of treatment you have when diagnosed with cancer. Or the first course of treatment after the cancer has come back (recurred).
- FistulaAn abnormal opening between two parts of the body.
- Five year survivalThe proportion (percentage) of people with a particular type of cancer who are still alive 5 years after the cancer was first diagnosed.
- Flexible laryngoscopyA test to examine your upper airways and voice box. A tube is put up your nose and down into your throat. The tube contains a light and a camera so your doctor can see inside.
- Fludarabine (Fludara)A chemotherapy drug used in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and acute leukaemia.
- Fluorouracil (5-FU, Efudix)A chemotherapy drug used in the treatment of breast, colorectal, anal, stomach, pancreas, oesophagus, liver, head and neck and bladder cancers. It can also be applied in a topical preparation to treat skin cancers.
- Flutamide (Eulexin, Flutamin)Inhibits androgen production. Used in the treatment of prostate cancer.
- FNAFNA stands for fine needle aspiration. A type of biopsy where a very thin needle is put into a lump or a lymph gland, and a sample of fluid and cells is sucked out. The cells are looked at under a microscope to see if they are cancerous.
- Folic acidOne of the B vitamins. It is necessary for the healthy development of red blood cells.
- Follicular large cellA type of lymphoma. The lymphocytes look large under the microscope and are grouped together. This is an intermediate grade lymphoma.
- Follicular mixed cellA type of lymphoma. It is made up of both small and large lymphocytes and they are grouped together. This is a low grade type of lymphoma.
- Follicular small cleavedA type of lymphoma. The lymphocytes look small under the microscope and are partly split (cleaved). They are grouped together rather than spread out. This is a low grade type of lymphoma.
- Follicular typeA type of lymphoma. Lymphoma can be diffuse or follicular (sometimes called nodular). In follicular types, under the microscope the cells appear grouped together. In diffuse type they are more spread out. Follicular lymphomas are usually B cell lymphomas
- Follow upMedical appointment to monitor progress after treatment.
- Food diaryDetailed record of what you have eaten and drunk over a period of time. You also record any diet related symptoms such as indigestion or wind when they occur. The aim is to find out which foods or drinks are upsetting your digestion.
- Food supplements (high calorie drinks)Extra nutrition (food) usually in the form of high energy and high protein drinks. These are available on prescription or can be bought from your chemist. There are a number of different brands, for example Ensure and Sustagen.
- FormaldehydeA chemical used in the chemical industry as a disinfectant and in medical laboratories to preserve specimens. It has been linked with some types of cancer, including malignant melanoma.
- FractionOne session in a course of radiotherapy. To reduce side effects, the total radiotherapy dose is divided into a number of smaller daily doses called fractions.