Cancer - A general term for a large group of diseases in which there is uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells.
Cancer Cell - A cell that divides and reproduces abnormally and has the potential to spread throughout the body, crowding out normal cells and tissue.
Cancer Survivor - Anyone living with a history of cancer including newly diagnosed survivors as well as long-term survivors.
Candidiasis - A common fungal infection often seen as white patches on the tongue or the inside of the mouth.
Carcinogen - A substance that causes cancer.
Carcinoma - A malignant tumor that begins in the lining layer (epithelial cells) of organs.
Carcinoma in situ - The earliest stage of cancer, in which the tumor is still confined to the local area.
Cardiomyopathy - Disease of the heart muscle.
Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan – Using a machine that takes pictures of cross sections of the body, a CT Scan can show the anatomy of the brain and other parts of your body that can not be seen by regular x-ray.
Cell - The structural and functional unit of which all living things are made.
Cervical Lymph Nodes - Lymph nodes in the neck.
Cervix - The neck of the uterus.
Chemotherapy - The treatment of cancer with drugs.
Chromosome - Part of a cell that contains genetic information.
Chronic - Persisting over a long period of time.
Clinical Trial - A planned scientific study of the effects of a diagnostic test or treatment on selected patients, usually with respect to safety, efficacy, and/or quality of life.
Colon - The part of the large intestine that extends from the small intestine to the rectum.
Colonoscopy - A procedure to look at the rectum and the colon by means of a lighted, flexible tube.
Colostomy - A surgical procedure by which an opening is created between the colon and the outside of the abdomen in order to eliminate stool into a collection bag.
Combination Therapy - The use of more than one drug during cancer treatments.
Combined Modality Therapy - Treatment with two or more types of therapy - a surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or biotherapy.
Complementary Therapy - Therapies used in addition to standard therapy which may help relieve certain symptoms of cancer, relieve side effects of standard cancer therapy, or improve a patient's sense of well being. The American Cancer Society recommends that patients considering use of any alternative or complementary therapy discuss this with their healthcare team.
Complete remission/complete response (CR) - The disappearance of all signs of cancer in response to treatment.
Consent - A patient's oral and written agreement to a procedure or a treatment based on full disclosure about the treatment, its potential risks and benefits, alternative treatments, and any other information the patient needs to make the decision.
Corticosteroid - Any of a number of steroid substances obtained from the cortex of the adrenal glands. They are sometimes used as an anti-cancer treatment or to reduce persistent nausea.
Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) - A gene implicated in inflammation and, possibly, tumor formation.
Cyst - Accumulation of fluid or semisolid material within a sack in the body.
Cystitis - An inflammation of the bladder caused by bacteria, chemotherapy or radiation treatments.
Cystoscope - Inspection of the inside of the bladder by means of a telescope.
Cytology - The branch of science that deals with the structure and function of cells. It also refers to tests used to diagnose cancer and other diseases by examination of cells under the microscope.
Cytotoxic - Toxic to cells; cell killing.