18.1 – Introduction to Oncology
Learning Objectives
- Describe oncology and explore the physiology and activity of cancerous and non-cancerous growths
- Analyze, translate, and define medical terms and common abbreviations of oncology
- Practice the spelling and pronunciation of oncology terminology
- Identify the medical specialties associated with the oncology and explore common diseases, disorders, diagnostic tests, pharmacology, and procedures
Oncology Word Parts
Prefix
- ana- (up, apart)
- apo- (away from)
- dys- (abnormal; difficult)
- ecto- (outer)
- endo- (within)
- hyper- (excessive, increase)
- meta- (beyond, change)
- mutat/o- (to change)
- neo- (new)
Combining Form
- Capsul/o- (to box)
- carcin/o- (cancer)
- miss/o- (to send back)
- mut/a- (change)
- path/o- (disease)
- nod/o- (node)
- onc/o- (tumour)
- sarc/o- (flesh)
Suffix
- -carcinom (cancerous tumour of epithelial origin (internal or external lining of the body, i.e., skin, breast, colon))
- -genesis (condition of production, origin)
- -oma (tumour)
- -plasia (condition of formation)
- -plasm (formation)
- -sarcoma (connective tissue cancer, such as bones, tendons, cartilage, muscle, and fat)
- -stasis (standing still)
Activity source: Oncology Word Parts by Connie Stevens, licensed under CC BY- 4.0.
Introduction to Oncology
Oncology is the study of tumours; oncologists are the people who study tumours. Carcin/o is a medical term that means cancer. All cancers are considered neoplasms which means new growth. Cancerous tumours are called malignant. A non-cancerous tumour is called benign (good); this is determined through a biopsy (Bx). A benign tumour often has the suffix -oma at the end of the word. However, a malignant tumour indicates that there is a cancerous growth. Malignant cells usually multiply rapidly, forming a mass of abnormal cells that enlarges, ulcerates and sheds malignant cells that invade surrounding tissues. These terms will usually have the word carcinoma at the end of the word. The medical specialty of oncology primarily treats patients who have cancer.
The suffix -oma means tumour, an abnormal tissue mass that forms through uncontrolled cell growth and divides more than it should. The cells also do not die when they should.
Watch What is Cancer? What Causes Cancer & How is it Treated? (5 min) on YouTube
Media 18.1: Cancer Centre. (2013, October 31). What is cancer? What causes cancer & How is it treated? [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/SGaQ0WwZ_0
What is producing cancer? What are some carcinogens? A carcinogen is a cancer-generating/producing substance. Carcin/o means cancer, and the suffix -gen means producing. There are various causes of cancer, yet many are unknown at this time. Bacteria and viruses, diet, hormones, smoking, radiation, alcohol, environment, chemical, and genetics are all potential risk factors and causes of cancers.
Watch How do cancer cells behave differently from healthy ones? (4 mins) on YouTube
Media 18.2: TED-Ed. (2012, December 12). How do cancer cells behave differently from healthy ones? [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/BmFEoCFDi-w
Oncology Abbreviations
Oncology Abbreviations
- BCC- (basal cell carcinoma)
- BMT- (bone marrow transplant)
- BSE- (breast self-examination)
- Bx- (biopsy)
- CA- (cancer)
- CIS- (carcinoma in situ)
- FOBT- (fecal occult blood test)
- G – (grade)
- Mets- (metastases)
- SCC- (squamous cell carcinoma)
- TNM- (tumour-nodes-metastases)
- TSE- (testicular self-examination)
Activity source: Oncology Word Parts by Connie Stevens, licensed under CC BY- 4.0.
Attribution
This page “Introduction to Oncology” by Connie Stevens and Marie Rutherford is licensed under CC BY 4.0.