Individuals carrying a mutation of BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes are at greater risk of developing breast cancer at a younger age compared to the general population.

C

CA
Cancer Antigen

Refers to proteins or molecules that are only present in cancer cells.

Examples: CA15-3, CA19-9, CA-125

CAR T-cell Therapy
Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell Therapy

CGH
Comparative Genomic Hybridization

CLL
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia

CT Scan
Computed Tomography Scan

D

DIBH
Deep Inspiration Breath Hold

DLBCL
Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

E

EBRT
External Beam Radiation Therapy

EGFR
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor

EMT
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition

ESCC
Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

F

FAMMM Syndrome
Familial Atypical Multiple Mole Melanoma Syndrome

FAP
Familial Adenomatous Polyposis

FGFR
Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor

FIT
Faecal Immunochemical Test

G

GBM
Glioblastoma

Also known as glioblastoma multiforme.

GIST
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumours

H

HER2
Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2

HNPCC
Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colorectal Cancer

HNSCC
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

HRT
Hormone Replacement Therapy

I

IBD
Inflammatory Bowel Disease

IGRT
Image Guided Radiation Therapy

IMRT
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy

J

JMML
Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukaemia

K

KPS
Karnofsky Performance Status

L

LCIS
Lobular Carcinoma In Situ

LCLC
Large Cell Lung Carcinoma

LCNEC
Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma

LDCT
Low-Dose Computed Tomography

Also known as Low-Dose CT scan.

LFS
Li-Fraumeni Syndrome

Refers to a rare gene mutation which makes one at higher risk of developing many types of cancers.

LIF
Leukemia Inhibitory Factor

LITT
Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy

M

MHT
Menopausal Hormone Therapy

MPNST
Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor

MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging

MSI
Microsatellite Instability

N

nCRT
Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy

NF
Neurofibromatosis

Includes two major types: neurofibromatosis type I (NF1) and neurofibromatosis type II (NF2).

NRSTS
Non-Rhabdomyosarcoma Soft Tissue Sarcoma

NSCLC
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

NST
No Special Type (a type of grouping for breast cancers)

Sometimes referred to as Not Otherwise Specified (NOS).

O

P

PET Scan
Positron Emission Tomography Scan

PICC
Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter

PTC
Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Q

QALY
Quality-Adjusted Life-Year

R

S

SABR
Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy

SBRT
Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy

SCC
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (a type of Skin Cancer)

T

TACE
Transarterial Chemoembolization

TCC
Transitional Cell Carcinoma

TGF
Transforming Growth Factor

Refers to two types of growth factors called TGFα and TGFβ.

TNBC
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

TNM
Tumor, Node, Metastasis

The TNM classification is a commonly used system to stage cancers.

T: describes the primary tumor (the size of the tumor); range from T0 to T4
N: describes the neighboring lymph nodes (whether the cancer had spread there); range from N0 to N3
M: indicates whether metastasis has occurred (whether the cancer had spread to other body parts); range from M0 to M1

Tx
Treatment

U

UC
Urothelial Carcinoma

US
Ultrasound

UV
Ultraviolet

V

VAB
Vacuum-Assisted Biopsy

VEGF
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor

VMAT
Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy

VTE
Venous Thromboembolism

W

WBRT
Whole Brain Radiotherapy

X

XRT
Radiation therapy / Radiotherapy (external)

Y

YST
Yolk sac tumour

A type of cancer that develops in germ cells.

Disclaimer:
Terms are referenced from sources including the National Cancer Institute and National Cancer Centre Singapore.
Please note that the information presented in this page are for general information only. Do consult your doctor if you require personalised and detailed medical advice.