Cancer A-Z

Primary cancer is the first place that the disease develops in the body. If your cancer spreads to other parts of the body (metastasises), it causes what’s known as secondary cancer.

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https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/cancer-of-unknown-primary#:~:text=Primary%20cancer%20means%20where%20the,called%20a%20primary%20lung%20cancer.

If you are diagnosed with cancer, you will be given a prognosis. A prognosis is a medical term for the likely outcome of your disease. It will include details of your chances of successful treatment, the likelihood of recovery and the risk of your cancer spreading. If your cancer cannot be treated, it will cover how long you can expect to live.

Your prognosis can change during the course of your treatment for cancer.

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https://www.cancertherapyadvisor.com/home/tools/fact-sheets/understanding-a-cancer-prognosis/#:~:text=A%20prognosis%20is%20an%20estimate,that%20the%20patient%20will%20recover.

Learning to live with cancer can be physically and mentally challenging. Psychologists (or counsellors) specialise in dealing with emotional and behavioural issues. They can also provide emotional support during your treatment.

Your quality of life is a measure of your ability to function and enjoy life. It’s about your wellbeing and how well you can carry out the things that make life worthwhile.

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5661349/

There are two types of radiographer: diagnostic radiographers and therapeutic radiographers. Diagnostic radiographers take images of your body, using CT scans, MRIs and X-rays.

Therapeutic radiographers are in charge of the machines when you are receiving radiotherapy treatment.

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https://www.sor.org/about-radiography/what-radiography-who-are-radiographers

In some cases, your doctor may refer you for some tests to diagnose cancer. Radiographers are doctors who use imaging techniques to diagnose medical conditions, including cancer.

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https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=article-your-radiologist

Radiotherapy uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells within the body.

There are several types of radiotherapy, including external radiotherapy, radiotherapy implants, radiotherapy injections and intrabeam radiotherapy.

Cancer patients may receive one or all of these treatments. Doctors will decide on the most appropriate combination of therapies based on individual circumstances.

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https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/radiation-therapy#:~:text=Radiation%20therapy%20(also%20called%20radiotherapy,your%20teeth%20or%20broken%20bones.

If your cancer is in remission, it means that there are no signs of it in examinations, screens or tests. Cancer can always return, so remission doesn’t mean cure. Partial remission means that some but not all of the signs and symptoms of cancer have gone away.

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https://www.webmd.com/cancer/remission-what-does-it-mean

Sarcomas are cancers that grow in the connective or supportive tissues within the body. They may develop in bones, cartilage, fat and muscle.

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https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/what-is-cancer/how-cancer-starts/types-of-cancer

Scans are another name for imaging tests.

Doctors use cancer screening tests to identify, analyse and screen cancer cells within the body.

Screening tests can help clinicians to:

• detect early signs of undetected cancers
• monitor the growth and spread of existing diagnosed cancers
• provide personalised guidance on effective treatments, such as chemotherapy, drugs, and natural supplements that could benefit you

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https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/screening

You may be diagnosed with a second primary cancer while being treated for the first. A second primary cancer is cancer that develops in the body but isn’t related to the treatment you are receiving for your first cancer.

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https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-a-secondary-cancer-2249188