NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
A fast-growing type of leukemia (blood cancer) in which too many lymphoblasts (immature white blood cells) are found in the blood and bone marrow. Also called ALL and acute lymphocytic leukemia.
A tumor that has not gained the ability to invade into other host tissues and/or organs; usually non-life threatening.
Biospecimens are biologically-derived materials—such as tissue, blood, urine—used for diagnosis and analysis of medical conditions.
A "library" where biospecimens are stored. Sometimes also called a biobank.
The soft, sponge-like tissue in the center of most bones. It produces white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.
A procedure to replace bone marrow that has been destroyed by treatment with high doses of anticancer drugs or radiation. Transplantation may be autologous (using a sample of an individual's own marrow that is saved before treatment), allogeneic (using marrow donated by someone else), or syngeneic (using marrow donated by an identical twin).
Any substance or radioactive agent that promotes the development of cancer or facilitates its propagation.
The individual unit that makes up the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells.
A form of cancer therapy that uses drugs to kill cancer cells.
Organized structure of DNA and proteins. Except for sperm and eggs, all human cells contain 23 pairs of chromosomes, one set from each parent.
Gains or losses in specific regions of DNA leading to more than (or less than) the usual 2 copies of each DNA region present in normal cells. Copy number alterations are common in the development and progression of human cancers.
A form of cancer surgery that uses extreme cold to kill and remove cancer cells.
The study of chromosomes and chromosomal abnormalities.
A test in which the cells in a sample of blood or bone marrow are viewed under a microscope to look for certain changes in the chromosomes. For example, in some cases of ALL, part of one chromosome is moved to another chromosome. Called the "Philadelphia chromosome," this alteration can be seen microscopically using this test.
Deoxyribonucleic acid. The molecules inside cells that carry genetic information and pass it from one generation to the next.
The functional and physical unit of heredity passed from parent to offspring. Genes are pieces of DNA containing the information for either producing specific proteins or regulating how other genes are expressed.
The process by which the genetic information in DNA is transferred (or transcribed) into a functional gene product.
The complete genetic material of an organism.
The process of profiling the structure and function of an entire genome or a segment of DNA. Characterization can include point mutation analysis, gene expression profiling, and determination of chromosome gains and/or losses.
Changes in DNA that are passed on from parent to child. Also called hereditary mutations.
A rounded mass of lymphatic tissue that is surrounded by a capsule of connective tissue. Lymph nodes filter lymph (lymphatic fluid), and they store lymphocytes (white blood cells). They are located along lymphatic vessels. Also called a lymph gland.
A type of blood cell. Lymphocytes have a number of roles in the immune system, including the production of antibodies and other substances that fight infections and other diseases.
Cancerous. Malignant tumors can invade and destroy nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.
The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another. A tumor formed by cells that have spread is called a "metastatic tumor" or a "metastasis." The metastatic tumor contains cells that are like those in the original (primary) tumor.
A change to the base pair sequence of DNA. Mutations may occur when a cell divides, or by exposure to DNA-damaging agents in the environment. Mutations can be harmful, beneficial, or have no effect. If they occur in cells that make eggs or sperm, they can be inherited (germline or hereditary mutations); if mutations occur in other types of cells, they are not inherited (somatic mutations). Certain mutations may lead to cancer or other diseases.
Cancer that arises in immature nerve cells and affects mostly infants and children.
A part of the body that performs a specific function. For example, the heart is an organ.
A common variation or mutation in DNA.
The use of high-energy radiation (e.g., x-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, protons) to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external-beam radiation therapy), or it may come from radioactive material placed in the body near cancer cells (internal radiation therapy).
RNA, one of the two types of nucleic acids found in all cells, is a single stranded nucleic acid molecule involved in protein synthesis. In the cell, RNA is made from DNA (the other type of nucleic acid), and proteins are made from RNA.
RNA Interference (RNAi) is a mechanism that prevents a gene of interest from being translated into a protein. RNAi targets can include cancer-causing genes.
Determining the exact order of the nucleotides in a segment of DNA.
Somatic mutations can occur in any of the cells of the body except the germ cells (sperm and egg) and therefore are not passed on to children. These alterations can (but do not always) cause cancer or other diseases.
A type of treatment that uses drugs or other substances capable of interfering with targeting molecules that are needed for carcinogenesis and tumor growth. The benefit of targeted therapy is that cancer cells are attacked without harming normal cells.
A group or layer of cells that work together to perform a specific function.
In biology, the process by which a cell makes a RNA copy of a gene's DNA sequence.
A transcriptome is a collection of all the gene transcripts present in a cell.
An abnormal mass of tissue that results when cells divide more than they should or do not die when they should. Tumors may be benign (not cancerous), or malignant (cancerous).
To view additional cancer terms, please visit the NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms.
