Glossary of Medical Terms

A disease that causes inflammation of the skin and muscles. Signs and symptoms include a red or bluish-purple patchy rash on the face, eyelids, knuckles, elbows, knees, toes, chest, or back. The rash may cause swelling, itching, and pain. Dermatomyositis can also cause muscle weakness in the upper body, hips, and thighs; trouble swallowing; breathing problems; and calcium deposits, which look like hard bumps under the skin or in the muscle. People with dermatomyositis may have an increased risk of certain heart, lung, or connective tissue diseases and certain types of cancer, including cancers of the cervix, lungs, pancreas, breast, ovaries, and gastrointestinal tract. Dermatomyositis can occur in both children and adults.

The inner layer of the two main layers of the skin. The dermis has connective tissue, blood vessels, oil and sweat glands, nerves, hair follicles, and other structures. It is made up of a thin upper layer called the papillary dermis, and a thick lower layer called the reticular dermis.

A type of tumor that contains a cyst filled with tissues that are normally found in the outer layers of the skin, including sweat and oil glands. These may also contain elements of hair and teeth. Dermoid cysts can form anywhere in the body, but they usually form in the ovary, testes, the skin of the head, neck, face, or lower back, or in the central nervous system. Dermoid cysts are benign (not cancer) and tend to grow slowly. They are present at birth but may not be found until later in life. Dermoid cysts are a type of germ cell tumor called a mature teratoma.

A synthetic form of the hormone estrogen that was prescribed to pregnant women between about 1940 and 1971 because it was thought to prevent miscarriages. DES may increase the risk of uterine, ovarian, or breast cancer in women who took it. It also has been linked to an increased risk of clear cell carcinoma of the vagina or cervix in daughters exposed to DES before birth. Also called diethylstilbestrol.

A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer as a way to block sex hormones made by the ovaries or testicles. It is a type of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog.

A type of soft tissue tumor that forms in fibrous (connective) tissue, usually in the arms, legs, or abdomen. It may also occur in the head and neck. Desmoid tumors are usually benign (not cancer). They often recur (come back) after treatment and spread to nearby tissue, but they rarely spread to other parts of the body. They may occur in adults or children. Also called aggressive fibromatosis and desmoid-type fibromatosis.

A type of soft tissue tumor that forms in fibrous (connective) tissue, usually in the arms, legs, or abdomen. It may also occur in the head and neck. Desmoid-type fibromatoses are usually benign (not cancer). They often recur (come back) after treatment and spread to nearby tissue, but they rarely spread to other parts of the body. They may occur in adults or children. Also called aggressive fibromatosis and desmoid tumor.

Causing or forming adhesions or fibrous connective tissue within a tumor.

A rare form of malignant melanoma marked by nonpigmented lesions on sun-exposed areas of the body, most commonly on the head and neck.

A rare, aggressive cancer that usually affects young males and usually is located in the abdomen.