Cancer words, in plain language.

Extra treatment given after the main treatment, usually surgery, to lower the chance of the cancer coming back.

A lower than normal number of red blood cells, which can cause tiredness and breathlessness. It can be a side effect of some cancer treatments.

A medicine that helps prevent or reduce feeling or being sick, often used during chemotherapy.

A growth that is not cancer. Benign tumours don’t spread to other parts of the body, although they may still need treatment.

A substance in the blood, body fluids or tissue that can give information about a cancer, such as whether a treatment is working.

A small sample of tissue taken from the body so it can be looked at closely for cancer cells.

A disease in which abnormal cells grow in an uncontrolled way and can spread to other parts of the body.

The most common type of cancer, which starts in the cells lining the skin or the inside of organs.

Medicines that kill cancer cells or stop them growing. They can be given as tablets or through a drip.

A research study that tests new treatments or ways of caring for people, to see how well they work and how safe they are.

A scan that uses X-rays to build detailed pictures of the inside of the body, used to find and monitor cancer.

Finding out what is causing symptoms, for example confirming that someone has cancer and identifying the type.

Tests that look for changes in genes that can increase the risk of some cancers or affect treatment choices.

A description of how abnormal cancer cells look under a microscope, giving an idea of how quickly the cancer may grow.

Treatment that lowers or blocks certain hormones to slow or stop the growth of some cancers, such as some breast and prostate cancers.

Treatment that helps the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells.

An area of tissue that is not normal, which may or may not be cancer.

A cancer of the blood and bone marrow in which the body makes too many abnormal white blood cells.

A small bean-shaped gland that is part of the immune system. Doctors often check the lymph nodes because cancer can spread to them.

A cancer that starts in the lymphatic system, which is part of the immune system.

Means cancerous. Malignant cells can grow into nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.

An X-ray of the breast used to check for breast cancer, often as part of screening.

When cancer spreads from where it first started to another part of the body. Sometimes called secondary cancer.

A scan that uses strong magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of the body.

A group of different health professionals who work together to plan and manage cancer care.

Treatment given before the main treatment, usually surgery, to shrink a cancer and make it easier to remove.

A doctor who specialises in diagnosing and treating cancer.

The area of medicine that deals with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Care that focuses on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life rather than curing the illness. It can be given at any stage.

A doctor who examines cells and tissue under a microscope to help diagnose cancer.

A scan that shows how tissues in the body are working and can help find cancer cells.

The place in the body where a cancer first started to grow.

The likely course and outcome of an illness, including the chances of recovery.

The use of high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells or stop them growing, aimed carefully at the affected area.

When a cancer comes back after a period during which it could not be detected.

When the signs and symptoms of a cancer reduce or disappear. Remission can be partial or complete and does not always mean the cancer is cured.

Something that increases the chance of developing a disease such as cancer, for example smoking. Having a risk factor does not mean a person will definitely get cancer.

A rarer type of cancer that starts in the supporting tissues of the body, such as bone, muscle or fat.

Tests that look for early signs of cancer before any symptoms appear — often offered to people who feel well.

Cancer that has spread from where it first started to another part of the body. Also called metastasis.

An unwanted effect of a treatment, such as tiredness or hair loss. Many side effects can be managed or ease after treatment ends.

A way of describing how big a cancer is and how far it has spread. Staging helps doctors plan the right treatment.

An operation to remove cancer or repair part of the body. It is one of the main treatments for many cancers.

Living with, through and beyond a cancer diagnosis, including physical, emotional and practical wellbeing.

Drugs that target specific features of cancer cells to stop them growing, while causing less harm to healthy cells.

The agreed set of steps for treating a cancer — surgery, medicines, radiotherapy or active monitoring.

A lump or mass formed by cells growing abnormally. A tumour can be benign or malignant.

A scan that uses sound waves to create pictures of the inside of the body.