Cancer and cancer therapy are often viewed through a shroud of myths and misperceptions as a huge dark hopeless disease. However, cancer is not as big or as dark as it seems. The truth is that surrounding the cancer is an enormous dark envelope of misperceptions and fears that cloud all of our understanding and vision. The first step of dispelling the myths about cancer and cancer therapy is to demystify some of the words commonly that are commonly used by the veterinary health care team.

Adenocarcinoma: A malignant or cancerous tumor arising from glandular tissue.
Adenoma: A benign tumor made up of glandular tissue.
Alopecia: The loss of hair, which is uncommon in most cats in response to chemotherapy.
Analgesic: Any drug that is a pain reliever.
Anemia: A decreased number of red blood cells may cause tiredness and weakness.
Anorexia: The loss of appetite.
Antiemetic: A drug that prevents or controls nausea and vomiting.
Antineoplastic agent: A drug that prevents, kills, or blocks the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Aspiration: The process of removing fluid/ tissue from a specific area.

Benign: A swelling or growth that is not cancerous and does not spread from one part of the body to another.
Biopsy: The surgical removal of tissue for examination under a microscope for diagnosis.
Blood count: The number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in a sample of blood.
Bone marrow: The spongy material found inside the bones. Most blood cells are made in the bone marrow.
Bone marrow aspirate: The procedure by which a needle is inserted into a bone to withdraw a sample of the bone marrow.
Bone marrow suppression: A decrease in the production or number of blood cells.
Bone scan: A picture of the bones using a very small amount of a radioactive substance that shows bone damage from cancer, injury or other disease.

Cancer: A group of diseases in which malignant cells grow out of control and spread to other parts of the body.
Carcinoma: A kind of cancer that starts in the skin or the lining of organs.
CT/CAT scan: A test using computers and x-rays to create images of various parts of the body.
Chemotherapy: The treatment of cancer with drugs.
Cystitis: An inflammation of the bladder.

Drug resistance: Condition where cancer cells have developed the ability to prevent being killed by cancer cells.

Effusion: A collection of fluid in a body cavity, usually between two adjoining tissues. For example, a pleural effusion is the collection of fluid between two layers of the pleura (the lung's covering).
Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG): A test that makes recording of the electrical activity of the heart.
Endoscopy: A procedure looking at the inside of body cavities, such as the esophagus (food pipe) or stomach.
Erythrocyte: The red blood cell that carries oxygen to the body cells and carbon dioxide away from body cells.
Esophagitis: Inflammation of the esophagus (food pipe).
Excision: Surgical removal of a tumor or growth.
Extravasation: The in advertent leaking of injectable medication into tissue surrounding the infusion site. Extravasation of drugs such as doxorubicin, vincristine or vinblastine may cause tissue damage.

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV): Viral disease of cats transmitted primarily by bites between cats. Can result in suppression of the immune system.
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV): Viral disease of cats transmitted by respiratory secretions that can result in suppression of immunity and in rare circumstances tumors of white blood cells(lymphocytes), lymph nodes, and other organs.
Fine needle aspirate: A procedure in which a needle is inserted into tissue to obtain a sample to examine under a microscope for a specific diagnosis.

Grade: Determination of how benign or malignant a tumor is based on microscopic evaluation.

Hematocrit (Hct): The percentage of red blood cells in the blood. A low hematocrit indicates anemia. (Similar to PCV or packed cell volume)
Hematuria: Blood in the urine.

Immunity (Immune system): The body's ability to fight infections and disease.
Immunosuppression: Weakening of the immune system causing a lowered ability to fight infections and disease.
Immunotherapy: The artificial stimulation of the body's immune system to treat or fight disease. (Also known as biological response modifier)
Infusion: The delivery of fluids or medications into the bloodstream over a period of time.
Injection: Pushing a medication into the body with the use of a syringe and needle.

Lesion: A lump or abscess that may be caused by injury or disease, such as cancer.
Leukemia: Cancer of the blood. White blood cells may be produced in excessive amounts and are unable to work properly.
Leukopenia: A low number of white blood cells.
Lumpectomy: The simple removal of a mass without resecting substantial amount of tissue around the lesion in question.
Lymphatic system: A network that includes lymph nodes, lymph, and lymph vessels that serves as a filtering system for the blood.
Lymph nodes: Tissue located in localized areas that are part of the immune defense system. Lymph nodes act as our first line of defense against infections and cancer.
Lymphocytes: White blood cells that kill viruses and defend against the invasion of foreign material.
Lymphoma: A cancer of lymph nodes and white blood cells known as lymphocytes. Veterinarians determine the different lymphomas by the type of cell that is involved in making up the tumor.

Malignant tumor: A tumor made up of cancer cells of the type that would spread to other parts of the body. This type of tumor needs treatment.
Mast cell tumor: A tumor of the skin that may involve the liver, spleen, lymph nodes, and bone marrow.
Mastectomy: The surgical removal of the breast.
Lumpectomy: Removal of the lump and a small amount of surrounding breast tissue.
Simple mastectomy (modified mastectomy): Removal of the entire breast.
Radical mastectomy: Removal of the entire breast along with underlying muscle and possibly
lymph nodes.
Melanoma: A cancer of the pigment-forming cells of the skin or the retina of the eye.
Metastasize: To spread from the first cancer site, such as bone cancer spreading to the lung.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): A sophisticated test that provides in-depth images of organs and structures in the body using magnetic energy.
Myeloma: A malignant tumor of the bone marrow associated with the production of abnormal proteins. (Known as multiple myeloma or plasmal cell myeloma)
Myelosuppression: A decrease in the production of red blood cells, platelets, and some white blood cells by the bone marrow.

Neoplasm: A new growth of tissue or cells; a tumor that is generally malignant.
Neutropenia: A decreased number of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell.

Oncologist: A veterinarian who specializes in oncology.
Oncology: The study and treatment of cancer. Veterinarians who specialize in oncology are called oncologists.

Palliative treatment: Treatment aimed at the relief of pain and symptoms of disease but not intended to cure the disease.
Pathology: The study of disease by the examination of tissues and body fluids under the microscope. A veterinarian who specializes in pathology is called a pathologist.
Platelet (Plt): Cells in the blood that are responsible for clotting.
Platelet count: The number of platelets in a blood sample.
Polyp: A growth of tissue protruding into a body cavity, such as a nasal or rectal polyp. It may be benign or malignant.
Primary tumor: The original cancer site.
Prognosis: The outcome of a disease; the life expectancy.
Protocol: The cancer treatment plan that may involve one or more of the following: radiation, chemotherapy, surgery and supportive care.

Radiation therapy: X-ray treatment that damages or kills cancer cells.
Radiation Therapist: A veterinarian who specializes in the use of x-rays to treat disease.
Recurrence: The reappearance of cancer after a period of remission.
Red blood cells (Erythrocyte): Cells in the blood that bring oxygen to tissues and take carbon dioxide from them.
Relapse: The reappearance of cancer.
Remission: Complete or partial disappearance of the signs and symptoms of disease.

Sarcoma: A malignant tumor of muscles or connective tissue such as bone and cartilage.
Side effects: Undesirable adverse effects of cancer treatment.
Staging: Determination of extent of the cancer in the body.
Systemic disease: A disease that affects the whole body instead of a special organ.

Thoracentesis (Pleural tap): A procedure to remove fluids from the area between the two layers (pleura) covering the lung.
Thrombocytopenia: An abnormally low number of platelet. If the platelets are too few, bleeding could occur.
Tumor: An abnormal overgrowth of cells. Tumors can be either benign or malignant.

Ultrasound examination: The use of high-frequency sound waves for the purpose of diagnosis.

Venipuncture: Puncturing the vein in order to obtain blood samples, to start and intravenous drip, or to give a medication.
Vesicant: An intravenous medication that, if leaked into tissues, could cause pain, swelling, tissue damage, and destruction.

White blood cells (WBC): General term for a variety of cells responsible for fighting invading germs. Specific white blood cells include granulocytes and lymphocytes.
White blood count (WBC): The actual number of white blood cells seen in a blood sample.

X-ray: Radiation used to diagnose and treat disease.