Go back to the index of this complete glossary to find the definition of all medical terms for cancers, treatments and health.
Cancer Glossary - D
- Dehydration : Excessive loss of fluid from the body.
- Developmental anomaly : A defect which is the result of imperfect development
of the embryo before birth.
- Diaphanography : An exam that involves shining a bright
light through the breast to reveal features of the tissues inside. This technique
is under study, its value in detecting breast cancer has not been proven. Also
called transillumination.
- Diaphragm : The muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen.
- Dietitian (also registered dietitian) : A professional who plans diet programs
for proper nutrition.
- Differentiated : Clearly defined. Differentiated tumor cells are similar in
appearance to normal cells.
- Digestive system : The organs that take in food, turn it into products that
the body can use, and get rid of waste. The digestive system includes the salivary
glands, mouth, esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, intestines,
and rectum.
- Digital rectal exam : An exam to detect rectal cancer. The doctor inserts a
lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum and feels for abnormal areas.
- Dilation and Curettage : A minor operation
in which the cervix is expanded enough to permit the cervical canal and uterine
lining to be scraped with a spoon-shaped instrument called a curette. Also called
a D and C.
- Diploid : Normal amount of DNA in a cell.
- Dosimetrist : A person who plans and calculates the proper
radiation dose for treatment.
- Doubling time : Time it takes the cell population to double in number.
- Duct : A tube in the breast through which body fluids pass. Cancer that begins
in a duct is called ductal carcinoma.
- Duodenum : The first part of the small intestine.
- Dysphagia : Difficulty swallowing.
- Dysplasia : Abnormal cells that are not cancer.