Glossary

Cancer: A general term for more than 100 different diseases that involve the uncontrolled increase of abnormal new cells. These cells form tumors that can destroy surrounding tissue and spread throughout the body.

Cancer initiator: An agent that causes cells to mutate.

Carcinogen: A substance that initiates or promotes the development of cancer.

CBC: The complete blood count (CBC) quantitates the number of red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), the total amount of hemoglobin in the blood, the fraction of the blood composed of cells (hematocrit), and the size of the red blood cells (MCV, mean corpuscular volume).

Cell: The individual unit that makes up the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells.

Chemotherapy: The treatment of cancer (or other disease) with drugs.

Clark level of invasion: The method described by Dr. Wallace Clark for measuring the penetration of a primary melanoma into the skin by anatomic layer. Level I refers to melanomas confined to the outermost layer of the skin called the epidermis. (Another term for Level I melanoma is "melanoma in situ.") Levels II-IV refer to different degrees of penetration into the second layer of the skin called the dermis. Level V refers to penetration into the third "fatty" layer of the skin called the subcutis.

Clinical trial: A study conducted with cancer (or other) patients, using the scientific method, to evaluate new therapies or procedures.

Collagen: A protein in the dermis made by fibroblasts that gives the skin its resilience and strength.

Control group: In a clinical trial, a group of subjects who receive standard treatment in order to compare the effects of the therapy under study with the effects of standard treatment.

CT scan: A CT scan X-rays the body from many angles. The X-ray beams are detected by the scanner and analyzed by a computer. The computer reconstructs the data into a picture of the body area being scanned. These images can be viewed on a monitor or reproduced as photographs.

Cure: To heal; to make well.

Cure rate: The percentage of patients who are cured.

Cutaneous: Related to the skin.

Cutaneous melanoma: Melanoma that starts in the skin.

Cytokine: A substance that is produced by cells of the immune system and can affect the immune response. Cytokines can also be produced in the laboratory by recombinant DNA technology and given to people to affect immune responses.