Descriptionary

monoclonal antibodies cloned antibodies used as a treatment to resist cancer growth.

myclocytic leukemia a fatal form of leukemia.

myeloma a malignant tumor of bone marrow.

myofibroma a benign tumor made of muscle and fibrous tissue.

myoma a benign tumor of muscle. myosarcoma a malignant tumor of muscle. neoplasm a tumor; a growth. nephroma a kidney tumor.

oncogenic carcinogenic.

oncology the branch of medicine cornered with tumors and tumor growth.

osteogenic sarcoma a malignant bone tumor.

papilloma a benign growth of mucous membranes.

photochemotherapy cancer treatment consisting of drugs or chemicals exposed to ultraviolet radiation, which has been shown to increase effectiveness.

polyp a benign growth or tumor arising on a stalk from mucous membranes.

radioresistant of a tumor, unaffected by radiation therapy.

radiotherapy radiation therapy.

remission a reversal of a cancer in which cancer cells may be present in the body, but all signs of tumors and symptoms are gone.

resectable that can be surgically removed.

sarcoma a malignant tumor composed of bone, muscle, or fat.

SU5416 a powerful angiogenesis inhibitor.

thermography measuring the amount of heat given off by different body areas. Cancerous growths give off slightly higher heat.

Warthin's tumor a benign tumor of the parotid gland.

Wilm's tumor a malignant tumor of the kidney found in young children.

conception, pregnancy, and childbirth

(Also see sexuality)

abortion the spontaneous or medically induced ter­mination of a pregnancy.

abruption placentae separation of the placenta from the uterine wall.

active phase during the first stage of labor, the phase characterized by contractions lasting about 60 seconds and occurring every two to five minutes.

afterpains postbirth pain and cramping caused by con­tractions of the uterus as it returns to its normal size.

alpha fetoprotein (AFP) a protein produced in the liver of a fetus and passed through the placenta into the mother's bloodstream; a high amount of AFP in the mother's blood indicates a neural tube defect.

amniocentesis the taking of a small sample of amni- otic fluid in order to determine the presence of genetic or other disorders in the fetus.

amnion the innermost bag containing the fetus and amniotic fluid; one of two layers making up the amni- otic sac.

amniotic fluid waters, urine, and other fluids in which the fetus floats in the uterus.

amniotomy the medically induced rupturing of the amniotic sac to speed up labor.

anencephaly a congenital defect in which only a small part of the brain develops.

antepartum before labor or before childbirth.

anterior position the head position most frequently assumed by an infant during birth, specifically head first and face down.

Apgar score a system for rating a baby's general health at birth, specifically a number score from 0 to 2 for each of five characteristics: heart rate, respira­tion, muscle tone, reflexes, and color.

artificial insemination the depositing of semen into the cervix through a plastic tube.

blastocyst the earliest form or stage of embryonic development.

bloody show a discharge of blood and mucus, a symptom of impending labor.

bonding the emotional attachment that grows between parents and child before and after birth.

Bradley method childbirth techniques involving the husband or partner as labor coach and the use of slow, rhythmic breathing and relaxation to control pain.

Braxton-Hicks contractions often mistaken for true labor contractions, actually mild and intermit­tent prelabor contractions that go away within a few hours.

breech presentation the delivering baby presenting itself feet first or buttocks first.

caul the fetal membranes that sometimes cover the head during delivery.

cephalic disproportion the condition of a woman's pelvis being too small for the baby's head to pass through.

cephalic presentation a head-first presentation.

cerclage the temporary closing of the cervix through suturing to prevent premature delivery.

cervical os the opening between the uterus and the vagina.

cervix the neck of the uterus.

cesarean section the surgical removal of a baby through the abdominal wall of the mother.

chloasma brown patches or pigmentation that appear on the skin and face of some pregnant woman, known as the "mask of pregnancy."

chorion the outermost or second of two membranes containing the fetus.