Glossary of Medical Terms

A term that has been used to describe abnormal cells that come from glands in the walls of the cervix (the lower, narrow end of the uterus). These abnormal cells are found in a small number of Pap smears (a procedure used to detect cervical cancer) and may be a sign of more serious lesions or cancer. The term used now is atypical glandular cells. Also called atypical glandular cells of uncertain significance and atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance.

One of a group of substances that are found in several types of fruit and in milk. They are used in skin care products to reduce wrinkles and soften the skin. Examples of AHAs are glycolic acid, lactic acid, and citric acid. Also called alpha hydroxyl acid and fruit acid.

The ability of a computer to perform functions that are usually thought of as intelligent human behavior, such as learning, reasoning, problem solving, and decision making. AI uses computer programs that analyze very large amounts of information to learn how to help make decisions or predictions. In medicine, the use of AI may help improve cancer screening and diagnosis and plan treatment. It may also be used in research and in drug discovery and development. Also called artificial intelligence.

A rare, genetic disorder marked by a lack of tissue connecting the left and right halves of the brain, seizures, lesions on the back of the eye (retina), and other brain and eye abnormalities. Other problems may include unusual facial features, defects of the hands, spine, and ribs, and developmental and gastrointestinal problems. When Aicardi syndrome occurs, it is almost always in a newborn girl. People with Aicardi syndrome have an increased risk of certain tumors, such as hepatoblastoma (a type of liver cancer) and choroid plexus tumors (a rare tumor that forms in the brain).

A disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). People with AIDS are at an increased risk for developing certain cancers and for infections that usually occur only in individuals with a weak immune system. Also called acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

A type of cancer that a person infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is at high risk of developing. If a person with HIV develops one of these cancers, it means they have AIDS. AIDS-defining cancers include Kaposi sarcoma, certain types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and cervical cancer.

A type of cancer that is more likely to occur in people who are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). AIDS-related cancers include Kaposi sarcoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, cervical cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma, and cancers of the mouth, throat, liver, lung, and anus.

A condition in which abnormal cells are found in the glandular tissue that lines certain internal organs, such as the uterus, cervix, lung, pancreas, and colon. AIS, which occurs most often in the cervix, may become cancer and spread to nearby normal tissue. Also called adenocarcinoma in situ.

A system to describe the amount and spread of cancer in a patient’s body, using TNM. T describes the size of the tumor and any spread of cancer into nearby tissue; N describes spread of cancer to nearby lymph nodes; and M describes metastasis (spread of cancer to other parts of the body). This system was created and is updated by the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) and the International Union Against Cancer (UICC). The AJCC staging system is used to describe most types of cancer. Also called TNM staging system.

A group of enzymes involved in several processes related to cell growth and survival. Akt enzymes help to transfer signals inside cells. An Akt enzyme is a type of serine/threonine protein kinase. Also called protein kinase B.