Glossary of Medical Terms

Skin cancer that has spread down into the reticular dermis (the thick bottom layer of the dermis).

Skin cancer that has spread down into the subcutaneous tissue (tissue beneath the skin).

A system for describing how deep skin cancer has spread into the skin. Levels I-V describe the layers of skin involved.

An inherited disorder in which many polyps (usually hundreds to thousands) form on the inner walls of the colon and rectum. Polyps are abnormal growths that may become cancer if they are not removed. People with classic familial adenomatous polyposis have a very high risk of developing colorectal cancer at an early age and are also at risk of developing cancers of the stomach, small intestine, pancreas, bile duct, liver, adrenal gland, thyroid, and brain. They may also have dental and eye problems and benign (not cancer) tumors in the stomach, small intestine, bone, soft tissue, skin, and adrenal glands. Classic familial adenomatous polyposis is caused by mutations (changes) in a gene called APC that are inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. It is a type of hereditary cancer syndrome. Also called classic familial polyposis and classic FAP.

An inherited disorder in which many polyps (usually hundreds to thousands) form on the inner walls of the colon and rectum. Polyps are abnormal growths that may become cancer if they are not removed. People with classic familial polyposis have a very high risk of developing colorectal cancer at an early age and are also at risk of developing cancers of the stomach, small intestine, pancreas, bile duct, liver, adrenal gland, thyroid, and brain. They may also have dental and eye problems and benign (not cancer) tumors in the stomach, small intestine, bone, soft tissue, skin, and adrenal glands. Classic familial polyposis is caused by mutations (changes) in a gene called APC that are inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. It is a type of hereditary cancer syndrome. Also called classic familial adenomatous polyposis and classic FAP.

An inherited disorder in which many polyps (usually hundreds to thousands) form on the inner walls of the colon and rectum. Polyps are abnormal growths that may become cancer if they are not removed. People with classic FAP have a very high risk of developing colorectal cancer at an early age and are also at risk of developing cancers of the stomach, small intestine, pancreas, bile duct, liver, adrenal gland, thyroid, and brain. They may also have dental and eye problems and benign (not cancer) tumors in the stomach, small intestine, bone, soft tissue, skin, and adrenal glands. Classic FAP is caused by mutations (changes) in a gene called APC that are inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. It is a type of hereditary cancer syndrome. Also called classic familial adenomatous polyposis and classic familial polyposis.

The most common type of Hodgkin lymphoma (a cancer of the immune system). Classic Hodgkin lymphoma is marked by the presence of a type of cell called the Reed-Sternberg cell.

A computer program that uses statistics to predict a person’s risk for developing breast cancer based on family history.

One of a pair of bones at the base of the front of the neck. The clavicles connect the breastbone to the shoulder blades. Also called collarbone.

A type of disorder that affects the lungs and other parts of the respiratory system. It usually develops slowly and may get worse over time. CLD may be caused by smoking tobacco or by breathing in secondhand tobacco smoke, chemical fumes, dust, or other forms of air pollution. Types of CLD include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis, asbestosis, pneumonitis, and other lung conditions. Also called chronic lung disease.