NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms (2024)

FAQs

What is the NCI definition of cancer? ›

(KAN-ser) A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is the federal government's principal agency for cancer research and training. Established under the National Cancer Institute Act of 1937, NCI is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), one of 11 agencies that make up the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Tumor – any abnormal swelling, lump or mass. Neoplasm – this is the medical term for cancer and means "new growth".

| Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) | American Cancer Society.

Three designations are recognized: Comprehensive Cancer Centers, Clinical Cancer Centers, and Basic Laboratory Cancer Centers.

(ser-VY-ver) One who remains alive and continues to function during and after overcoming a serious hardship or life-threatening disease. In cancer, a person is considered to be a survivor from the time of diagnosis until the end of life.

Learn more about NCI-designation status. NCI Comprehensive Cancer Centers comprise the most robust, innovative laboratory and clinical cancer research programs in the country. This is the research that's making the biggest difference in cancer prevention, diagnostics and treatment and ultimately in finding a cure.

National Core Indicators® (NCI) is a program utilizing a set of surveys for public developmental disabilities agencies to measure and track their own performance. Standard measures (core indicators) are used to assess the outcomes of services provided.

Treatment that is accepted by medical experts as a proper treatment for a certain type of disease and that is widely used by health care professionals. Also called best practice, standard medical care, and standard therapy.

Cancer that cannot be cured or controlled with treatment and leads to death. A person with end-stage cancer may receive treatment to help control pain and other symptoms so they can be as comfortable as possible and have a better quality of life. Also called terminal cancer.

What is the key term for cancer? ›

Malignant. We call a tumor that can spread to other parts of the body a malignant tumor. A malignant tumor is cancer.

If the cancer has spread, your doctor may say it has “metastasized.”

Cancer refers to diseases in which abnormal cells divide out of control and are able to invade other tissues. Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems, which help the body get rid of toxins.

Overview. Cancer is a large group of diseases that can start in almost any organ or tissue of the body when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably, go beyond their usual boundaries to invade adjoining parts of the body and/or spread to other organs.

In carcinoma of unknown primary, the cancer cells that spread to other parts of the body are found. But the original tumor isn't found. This can happen if: The original cancer is too small to be detected by imaging tests.

Cancer is a disease of uncontrolled proliferation by transformed cells subject to evolution by natural selection. ©2023 The Authors; Published by the American Association for Cancer Research.