Actinic keratosis (ak-TIN-ik ker-a-TO-sis): A precancerous condition of
thick and scaly patches of skin; also called solar or senile keratosis.
Anesthetic (an-es-THET-ik): a drug that causes loss of sensation or
feeling in a part (local) or all (general) of the body.
Basal cell carcinoma (BAY-sal sel kar-si-NO-ma): A type of skin
cancer in which the cancer cells resemble the basil cells of the epidermis.
Basal cells: Small, round cells found in the lower part, or base, of
of the epidermis.
Benign (be-NINE): Not cancerous, does not invade nearby tissue or
spread to other parts of the body.
Biopsy (BY-op-see): The removal of a sample of tissue that is then
examined under a microscope to check for cancer cells.
Cancer: A general term for the more than 100 diseases in which cells
grow and divide abnormally. Cancer cells can spread through the blood or
lymphatic system to other parts of the body.
Carcinogen (kar-SIN-o-jin): Any agent that is known to cause cancer.
Carcinoma (kar-si-NO-ma): A type of cancer that begins in the lining
or covering tissues of an organ.
Clinical Trials: Studies conducted with people. Each study is
designed to answer scientific questions and to find better ways to prevent or
treat cancer.
Cryosurgery (kry-o-SIR-je-ree): Destruction of tissue by applying
extreme cold.
Curettage (kyoo-re-TAZH): Removal of tissue with a curette.
Curette (kyoo-RET): A spoon-shaped instrument with a sharp edge.
Dermatologist (der-ma-TOL-o-jist): A doctor who specializes in the
diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases.
Dermis (DER-mis): The lower layer of skin.
Electrodesiccation (e-LEK-tro-des-i-KAY-shun): Use of an electric
current to destroy cancerous tissue and control bleeding.
Epidermis (epi-DER-mis): The surface layer of skin.
Fluorouracil (floo-ro-YOOR-a-sil): An anticancer drug. Its chemical
name is 5-fluorouracil, commonly called 5-FU.
Follicles (FAHL-i-kuls): Shafts through which hair grows.
Interferon (in-ter-FEER-on): A substance that can improve the body's
natural response to the presence of cancer. It slows the rate of growth and
division of cancer cells, causing them to become sluggish and die.
Kaposi's sarcoma (KAP-o-seez sar-KO-ma): A relatively rare type of
cancer that develops on the skin of some elderly persons or those with a weak
immune system, including those with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Lymph (limf): The almost colorless fluid that travels through the
lymphatic system and carries cells that help fight infection and disease.
Lymph nodes: Small, bean-shaped structures in the lymphatic system.
The lymph nodes store special cells that can trap cancer cells or bacteria
traveling through the body in lymph.
Lymphatic System (lim-FAT-ik): The tissue and organs that produce,
carry, and store cells that can fight infection and disease. This system
includes the bone marrow, spleen, thymus, lymph vessels, and lymph nodes.
Malignant (ma-LIG-nant): Cancerous (see Cancer).
Melanin (Mel-a-nin): The pigment of the skin. The amount of this
substance accounts for variations in skin color in different people and
different races.
Melanocytes (me-LAN-o-sites): Cells that form and contain a pigment
called melanin.
Melanoma (mel-a-NO-ma): Cancer that begins in the melanocytes.
Melanoma usually starts in the skin, often in a dark mole. Unlike the more
common skin cancers, melanoma tends to spread to internal organs.
Metastasize (me-TAS-ta-size): To spread from one part of the body to
another. When cancer cells metastasize and form secondary tumors, the cells in
the metastatic tumor are like those in the original (primary) tumor.
Mycosis fungoids (my-KO-sis fun-GOY-deez): a cancer of the body's
immune, or defense system. This cancer, also called T-cell lymphoma , first
appears on the skin.
Nonmelanoma skin cancer: Skin cancer that does not involve
melanocytes. Basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer are nonmelanoma skin
cancers
Pathologist (pa-THOL-o-jist): A doctor who studies tissues removed
from the body, then makes a diagnosis based on changes that diseases cause in
these cells.
Photodynamic therapy (FO-to-die-NAM-ik): Treatment that destroys
cancer calls with lasers and drugs that become active when exposed to light.
Plastic surgeon: A surgeon who specializes in minimizing scarring or
disfigurement that may occur as a result of disease (such as skin cancer),
accidents, or birth defects.
Precancerous (pre-KAN-ser-us): A term used to describe a condition that may or is likely to become cancer.
Prognosis(prog-NO-sis): The probable outcome of a disease, the
prospect of recovery.
Radiation therapy (ray-dee-AY-shun): The use of high-energy rays to
treat disease. Sources of radiation include x-ray, cobalt, and radium.
Risk factor: A substance or condition that increases an individual's
chances of getting particular type of cancer.
Sebum (SEE-bum): An oily substance produced by the skin.
Skin Graft: Skin that is moved from one part of the body to another.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SKWAY-mus sel kar-si-NO-ma): A type of skin cancer in which the cancer cells resemble the squamous cells of the epidermis.
Squamous cells: Flat cells that look like fish scales and make up
most of the epidermis.
Stage: The extent of disease.
Sun protection factor(SPF): A number on a scale (from 2 upward) for
rating sunscreens. Sunscreens with an SPF of 15 to 30 protect the skin from
most of the suns rays.
Sunscreen: A substance that blocks the effect of the sun's rays. Using lotions that contain sunscreens can reduce the risk of skin cancer.
Surgery: An Operation.
T-cell lymphoma (lim-FO-ma): A cancer of the immune
system that appears in the skin; also called mycosis fungoides.
Topical chemotherapy (kee-mo-THER-a-pee): Treatment with anticancer
drugs in a lotion or cream.
Tumor: An abnormal mass of tissue that results from excess cell
division. Tumors perform no useful body function. They may be either benign or
malignant.
Ultraviolate (UV) radiation (ul-tra-VI-o-let ray-dee-AY-shun):
Invisible rays that are part of the energy that comes from the sun. UV
radiation can burn the skin and can cause skin cancer. UV radiation that
reaches the earth's surface is made up of two types of rays, called UVA and
UVB rays. UVB rays are more likely than UVA rays sunburn, but UVA rays pass
further into the skin. Scientists long thought that UVB radiation can cause
skin cancer. They now think that UVA radiation also may add to skin damage that
can lead to skin cancer. For this reason, skin specialists recommend that
people use sunscreens that block both
kinds of UV radiation.
