Onco Health Dictionary

The study of cancer.... oncology

A gene in a cancer cell that causes its growth to be uncontrolled. A regulatory gene that has changed and is responsible for uncontrolled growth.... oncogene

GENES found in mammalian cells and viruses that can cause cancer. They are believed to manufacture the proteins that control the division of cells. In certain circumstances this control malfunctions and a normal cell may be changed into one with MALIGNANT properties. Extensive research is being done with oncogenes with the aim of ?nding ways to prevent or control cancers.... oncogenes

Doctor who specialises in treating cancer.... oncologist

A hexacanth embryo of cestodes.... oncosphere

A gene in a cell that regulates cell growth and development in an orderly fashion. If a protooncogene mutates, it can give rise to cancer by causing growth without the normal controls. The proto-oncogene is then called an oncogene.... proto-oncogene

See ONCOLOGY.... medical oncology

n. a usually benign tumour that consists of oncocytes, which are abnormal epithelial cells that contain many mitochondria. Oncocytomas commonly occur in the kidney.... oncocytoma

a protein normally produced only by fetal tissue but often produced by certain tumours. An example is *carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA), which has been used as a *tumour marker, especially in colorectal carcinomas.... oncofetal antigen

n. the development of a new abnormal growth (a benign or malignant tumour).... oncogenesis

adj. describing a substance, organism, or environment that is known to be a causal factor in the production of a tumour. Some viruses are considered to be oncogenic; these include the *papovaviruses, the *retroviruses, certain *adenoviruses and *herpesviruses, and the *Epstein-Barr virus. See also carcinogen.... oncogenic

n. the destruction of tumours and tumour cells. This may occur spontaneously or, more usually, in response to treatment with drugs or by radiotherapy.... oncolysis

n. an instrument for measuring the volume of blood circulating in one of the limbs. See plethysmography.... oncometer

adj. 1. characterized by a tumour or swelling. 2. relating to an increase in volume or pressure.... oncotic

a pressure represented by the pressure difference that exists between the osmotic pressure of blood and that of the lymph or tissue fluid. Oncotic pressure is important for regulating the flow of water between blood and tissue fluid. See also osmosis.... oncotic pressure