Medical Glossary

Abnormal number or structure of chromosomes. Chromosome aberrations may result in chromosome disorders²⁴.

Not normal. Describes a state, condition, or behaviour that is unusual or different from what is considered normal. An abnormal lesion or growth in or on the body may be benign (not cancer), precancerous or premalignant (likely to become cancer), or malignant (cancer)¹.

Acral melanoma, sometimes called Acral Lentiginous Melanoma (ALM) is a rare type of malignant melanoma. In this type of melanoma, the word “acral” refers to the occurrence of the melanoma on the palms or soles. It also can develop under the finger or toe nails².

The word “lentiginous” means that the spot of melanoma is much darker than the surrounding skin. It also has a sharp border between the dark skin and the lighter skin around it. This contrast in colour is one of the most noticeable symptoms of this type of melanoma. Acral melanoma is the most common type of melanoma among people with darker skin. Unlike cutaneous, acral melanoma is not believed to be caused by exposure to the sun or other sources of ultraviolet radiation³.

In biology, to stimulate a cell in a resting state to become active. This causes biochemical and functional changes in the activated cell¹.

A chemical compound that is used to make one of the building blocks of DNA and RNA¹.

Adenine (A) is one member of the A-T (adenine-thymine) base pair in DNA. The other base pair in DNA is G-C (guanine-cytosine)¹⁴.  

Each base pair forms a "rung of the DNA ladder." A DNA nucleotide is made of a molecule of sugar, a molecule of phosphoric acid, and a molecule called a base. The bases are the "letters" that spell out the genetic code. In DNA, the code letters are A, T, G, and C, which stand for the chemicals adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine, respectively. In base pairing, adenine always pairs with thymine, and guanine always pairs with cytosine¹⁴.

The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) provides worldwide leadership in the development, promotion and maintenance of evidence-based systems for the classification and management of cancer in collaboration with multidisciplinary organizations dedicated to cancer surveillance and to improving care⁴.  

An organic compound containing an amino group (-NH2) and a carboxyl group (-COOH). Amino acids are fundamental constituents of all proteins. Some amino acids can be synthesized by the body. Others, the essential amino acids, must be obtained from protein in the diet. Certain amino acids present in the body are not found in proteins²².

The development of new blood vessels during the restoration of blood circulation during the healing process²⁴.

Inhibiting apoptosis (programmed cell death)⁹.

A special kind of blood protein that is synthesized in lymphoid tissue in response to the presence of a particular antigen and circulates in the plasma to attack the antigen and render it harmless. The production of specific antibodies against antigens as diverse as invading bacteria, inhaled pollen grains, and foreign red blood cells is the basis of both immunity and allergy¹.

Any substance that causes the body to make an immune response against that substance. Antigens include toxins, chemicals, bacteria, viruses, or other substances that come from outside the body. Body tissues and cells, including cancer cells, also have antigens on them that can cause an immune response. These antigens can also be used as markers in laboratory tests to identify those tissues or cells.¹

A substance that protects cells from the damage caused by free radicals . Free radicals may play a part in cancer, heart disease, stroke, and other diseases of aging. Antioxidants include beta-carotene, lycopene, vitamins A, C, and E, and other natural and manufactured substances¹.

A type of cell death in which a series of molecular steps in a cell lead to its death. This is one method the body uses to get rid of unneeded or abnormal cells. The process of apoptosis may be blocked in cancer cells. Also called programmed cell death¹.

Relating to, similar to, containing, or dissolved in water; watery⁵.

A clear liquid that fills the space inside your eye between the cornea ( outer covering) and the lens⁶.

An essential amino acid²⁴.

A blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood from the heart to tissues and organs in the body, and can be recognised because of its thick walls¹.

One of the non-essential amino acids commonly occurring in the L-form. It is found in animals and plants, especially in sugar cane and sugar beets. It may be a neurotransmitter²⁴.

A type of mole that looks different from a common mole. Several different types of moles are called atypical. Atypical moles are often larger than common moles and have regular or ragged or blurred borders that are not easy to see. Colours of atypical moles may be the same as the rest of the skin, or lighter, darker, or uneven. Parts or all of the mole may be raised above the skin surface. It is rare, but some atypical moles can develop into melanoma (a type of skin cancer). An atypical mole is sometimes called a Spitz naevus, a congenital naevus, a birthmark, or a dysplastic naevus¹.

A type of white blood cell that makes antibodies. B cells are part of the immune system and develop from stem cells in the bone marrow. Also called B lymphocyte¹.