NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms (2024)

FAQs

What is the NCI definition of cancer? ›

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is the federal government's principal agency for cancer research and training. Established under the National Cancer Institute Act of 1937, NCI is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), one of 11 agencies that make up the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

As defined by the National Cancer Institute, cancer that occurs in fewer than 15 out of 100,000 people each year. Most types of cancer are considered rare, and they are often more difficult to prevent, diagnose, and treat than the more common cancers.

Malignant. We call a tumor that can spread to other parts of the body a malignant tumor. A malignant tumor is cancer.

The NCI Drug Dictionary contains technical definitions and synonyms for drugs/agents used to treat patients with cancer or conditions related to cancer. Each drug entry includes links to check for clinical trials listed in NCI's List of Cancer Clinical Trials.

Three designations are recognized: Comprehensive Cancer Centers, Clinical Cancer Centers, and Basic Laboratory Cancer Centers.

As of today, the set of hallmarks includes the following ten traits: (1) evasion of growth suppressors (2); avoidance of immune destruction; (3) replicative immortality; (4) promotion of inflammation by tumor; (5) activation of invasion and metastasis; (6) induction or accession to vasculature; (7) genome instability ...

Cancer is caused by changes to DNA. Most cancer-causing DNA changes occur in sections of DNA called genes. These changes are also called genetic changes. A DNA change can cause genes involved in normal cell growth to become oncogenes.

If the dead cells are located at external or luminal surfaces, they will slough from the skin or will shed into the lumen and then be excreted out of the body as a component of feces, urine, milk, sweat, phlegm, saliva, etc (Fig. ​ 1). 1).

What is the old name for cancer? ›

The origin of the word cancer is credited to the Greek physician Hippocrates (460-370 BC), who is considered the “Father of Medicine.” Hippocrates used the terms carcinos and carcinoma to describe non-ulcer forming and ulcer-forming tumors.

In situ. In place. Refers to cancer that has not spread to nearby tissue, also called non-invasive cancer.

The NCIt concept code, a unique identifier assigned to each concept by EVS to permanently track a specific meaning. The term chosen by EVS as most unambiguous and widely used in the biomedical community. Additional term(s) chosen by NCI with meaning equivalent to the Preferred Term, separated by vertical bars ("|").

NCI Thesaurus. NCI Thesaurus (NCIt) provides reference terminology for many NCI and other systems. It covers vocabulary for clinical care, translational and basic research, and public information and administrative activities.

An abbreviation for a chemotherapy combination used to treat certain types of head and neck cancer and stomach cancer. It includes the drugs docetaxel (Taxotere), cisplatin (Platinol), and fluorouracil. Also called docetaxel-cisplatin-fluorouracil, Taxotere-Platinol-fluorouracil, TPF, and TPF regimen.

The PREVENT program is a peer-reviewed agent development program designed to support preclinical development of innovative interventions and biomarkers for cancer prevention and interception towards clinical trials.

Cancer fatigue is common

Cancer fatigue is one of the most common side effects of cancer treatment. More than 80% of people with cancer experience fatigue while receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Non-modifiable cancer risk factors include age, sex, race and ethnicity, family history, and genetics (e.g., changes in DNA). Modifiable cancer risk factors include health behaviors and lifestyle factors (e.g., tobacco and alcohol use, obesity).