Glossary

Breast Cancer :

Cancer that occurs in the tissues of the breast.

Cancer :

The general name for diseases which are characterized by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division.

Chemotherapy :

The use of chemicals or drugs to treat diseases. Often used in the treatment of cancer. Traditional forms of chemotherapy use chemicals to interfere with the DNA of spreading cells.

Clinical trial :

A research study designed to determine the safety and effectiveness of a drug or device on humans.

Colon Cancer:

Cancer that occurs in the tissues of the colon. Colon cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States.

Colorectal cancer:

Cancer that occurs in the tissues of the colon or the rectum.

Cutaneous :

Relating to, or affecting the skin.

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer:

Cancer that occurs in the gastrointestinal system, including the stomach, and the small and large intestines.

Gallbladder cancer :

Cancer that occurs in the tissues of the gallbladder.

Immunotherapy :

A type of treatment designed to target the body’s immune system, either to enhance its resistance or to produce immunity to a certain disease.

Laparoscopy:

A type of surgical procedure in which a viewing tube (a laparoscope) is inserted through a small incision. This allows the doctor to examine an internal site in a minimally-invasive way.

Liver cancer:

Cancer that occurs in the tissues of the liver. Liver cancer can cause the liver to fail.

Lymph Nodes:

Also referred to as lymph glands, they are small masses of tissue that filter a bodily fluid called lymphatic fluid. They remove cell waste and ultimately help the body fight infection. They are located in several places throughout the body.

Lymph Node Basin:

A group of lymph nodes in a certain region of the body.

Melanoma:

The most malignant form of skin cancer. It occurs in melanocytes (cells in the skin that produce pigment), which produce the skin’s color.

Metastasis:

(plural: metastases) the spreading of a disease (i.e. cancer) from its original site to another part of the body.

Molecular Profiling:

The study of specific patterns of proteins, DNA, and/or mRNA, and how these patterns correlate with a person's physical characteristics or proneness and reactions to disease.

Oncology:

the branch of medicine which specializes in the study of cancer and tumors.

Pancreatic Cancer:

Cancer that occurs in the tissues of the pancreas. It is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths.

PBMC:

The abbreviation for peripheral blood mononuclear cell. It is any blood cell that has a round nucleus. A lymphocyte is an example of a peripheral blood mononuclear cell.

PCR:

The abbreviation for Polymerase Chain Reaction. It is a technique used in molecular biology that allows the amplification and replication of specific parts of DNA.

Sentinel Lymph Node (SN):

The first draining lymph node in the regional lymph node basin.

Skin Cancer:

Cancer that occurs in the tissues of the skin. There are several types of skin cancer, including melanoma.

Stomach Cancer:

Cancer that occurs in the tissues of the stomach.

TCR:

The abbreviation for T-cell receptor

TCRV:

The abbreviation for T-cell receptor beta variable

Thermal Ablation:

A technique which uses extreme heat or cold to kill tumors while preserving the normal surrounding tissue.

Tumor:

An abnormal growth of tissue that serves no purpose. Malignant, cancerous tumors tend to spread and be harmful to the body, while benign tumors do not.