Letter C

Cancer A group of diseases in which malignant cells grow out of control and can spread to other parts of the body.

Cancer in situ The stage where a cancer is still confined to the tissue in which it started.

Carcinogen A substance that causes cancer. For example, tar in cigarettes is a carcinogen that causes lung cancer.

Carcinoma A type of cancer that starts in the skin or the lining of organs.

CAT scan (CT scan) A test using computers and x-rays to create images of various parts of the body.

CEA (Carcinoembryonic antigen) A blood tumour marker.

Central venous catheter A special tube that is surgically inserted into a large vein near the heart and exits from the chest or abdomen. The catheter allows medications, fluids, or blood products to be given and blood samples to be taken.

Cervical nodes Lymph nodes in the neck.

Cervical carcinoma A cancer of the cervix.

Cervix The neck of the uterus.

Chemotherapy The treatment of cancer with drugs.

Chondrosarcoma A malignant tumour of cartilage that usually occurs near the ends of the long bones.

Chronic Persisting over a long period of time.

Clinical trial Procedure to see how effective drugs are before being used across the board to treat patients.

CPMP Committee for proprietary medicinal products A group in Europe made up of patient representatives and cancer professionals that advise EMEA about the success of clinical trials.

Colonoscopy A procedure to look at the colon or large bowel through a lighted, flexible tube.

Colony-stimulating factor (CSF) An injectable substance used to stimulate the bone marrow to produce more cells.

Colostomy A surgical procedure by which an opening is created between the colon and the outside of the abdomen to allow stool to be emptied into a collection bag.

Colposcopy Examination of the vagina and cervix with an instrument called a colposcope.

Combination chemotherapy The use of more than one drug during cancer treatment.

Complementary therapy A group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not currently considered to be part of conventional medicine. Complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine.

CT scan (CAT scan), computed tomography, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography A scan used to build up a 3-D picture of inside the body. The scan can often detect tumours in organs and tissue.

Cyst An accumulation of fluid or semisolid material within a sac.

Top of page