|
|
| |
 |
Cancer and Leukaemia Terms and Titles
Browse
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
Displaying 38 terms beginning with "O"
Obese means having an abnormally high, unhealthy amount of body fat. How obese a person is measured by comparing someone's height with their weight. This gives their body mass index or BMI. 'Obese' means someone is more than about 25% overweight.
Obesity is where someone has an abnormally high, unhealthy amount of body fat. Obesity is a risk factor for a number of different diseases, including some cancers.
Observation is where a patient's condition is closely watched or monitored. This is usually done until symptoms appear or change. We talk about someone being kept under observation. Also known as expectant management, active surveillance or watchful waiting.
An obstruction is where there is a blockage in an internal passageway or vessel.
Obtundation (pronounced ob ton day shun) is a reduced or dulled level of alertness or consciousness.
Occult means hidden, difficult to see or find.
See Occult Tumour.
Occult Tumour or Occult Primary Tumour is a cancer that is hidden or which can not be found. Such cancers can sometimes be called an unknown tumour.
Occupational therapist or OT is a person who is trained to help people manage their day to day activities (e.g. dressing, cooking etc).
See Edema.
A substance used on the skin to soothe or heal wounds, burns, rashes or other skin problems. Also called unguent.
Olfaction is the sense of smell.
Olfactory means having to do with the sense of smell.
Those parts of the body involved in sensing smell. These include the nose and many parts of the brain. Smell can affect the emotions, behaviour, memory, and thought.
Oncogene is a gene that has become abnormal and tells its cell to multiply continuously.
An oncologist is a doctor who specialises in the treatment of cancer. This treatment will include chemotherapy, biological therapies and hormone therapy.
Oncology relates to the treatment or study of cancer.
Sometimes known as surgery or surgical procedure, this is carried out by a doctor, known as a surgeon. It usually involves making a cut or incision in the body. The aim of an operation could be to help heal injuries, to cure or prevent disease, to relieve pain, to remove diseased or damaged parts of the body (called amputation when parts such as arms, legs, hands or feet are removed). A biopsy, the insertion of a Hickman Line or a bone marrow transplant are some of the operations that may be carried out, when cancer or leukaemia are present.
Opiates are analgesics which are derived or obtained from the opium poppy. Heroin and Morphine are opiates.
Opiods are artificial or synthetic (made or manufactured) analgesics, which act like opiates, to relieve pain.
Opthalmology relates to the study of the eyes.
See Fibre Optics.
Oral Medicines are tablets, capsules or liquids, which are swallowed, taken by mouth.
Orally, means taken by mouth or swallowed.
Organs are parts of the body, which have specific tasks or functions to carry out. Healthy organs are essential for life. The most important organs include the heart, the brain, the liver, the kidneys and the lungs.
Where something begins, comes from.
See Primary.
Osteo means to do with bones.
Osteoblasts are cells found within bones that form the basic structure of the bone. This basic structure is known as the bone matrix.
Osteochondroma is a type of benign bone disease, so it is not a cancer.
Osteoclasts are cells that are responsible for helping bones to maintain their proper shape.
Osteoporosis is a loss of calcium from the bones, making them weaker. Sometimes known as bone thinning.
Osteosarcoma (pronounced os tea o sar coma) is a type of bone cancer that usually affects teenagers. Most commonly found in the bone and soft tissue around the knee and leg.
See Occupational therapist.
This is someone who goes to or attends hospital or a clinic, for an appointment or treatment, without staying overnight.
Ovarian means related to the ovaries.
These are the female reproductive organs or sex organs, that produces eggs.
Oxygen is a gas, which makes up about a fifth of the air we breathe. It is essential for human life (as well as all plant and animal life). When we breathe in, the air passes through the lungs and the oxygen it contains is filtered or taken out. The oxygen goes into the blood. The blood carries the oxygen around the body to provide the energy all parts of the body need.
Spotted something wrong or missing? Please let us know.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
| |
|
