Glossary

Glossary on ovarian cancer therapy
Technical terms and concepts explained

Abdomen Abdomen, abdominal cavity
Abrasio Also known as abrasio uteri; curettage of the uterine lining; the lining tissue is surgically removed.
Adenocarcinoma A malignant tumour originating from glandular tissue.
Adjuvant therapy Refers to additional or supportive therapeutic measures (from Latin adjuvare, “to support”). In cancer, adjuvant therapy can be used after surgical removal of the visible affected tissue to combat any remaining tumour deposits. Adjuvant therapies may include, for example, chemotherapy, hormone therapy or radiotherapy.
Adnexectomy Unilateral or bilateral removal of the fallopian tube and ovary, which are also referred to in medical terminology as adnexa (from Latin adnexe, “the appendage”); (also called salpingo-oophorectomy)
AHB Follow-up rehabilitation treatment; inpatient stay in an (oncological) rehabilitation clinic.
acute Latin acutus “pointed”, “sharp”; means “rapid” or “sudden onset”. Acute illnesses develop suddenly and usually last for a comparatively short time. They are distinguished from chronic illnesses. Also means urgent, pressing, at this moment.
Alopecia Hair loss
outpatient Latin ambulare, “to walk around”, “to stroll”; With outpatient treatment, the patient can leave the treatment or care facility immediately or shortly after it ends. She is not admitted as an inpatient (overnight).
Analgesia Pain relief
Anaemia Anaemia (from Greek an as negation and haima, “blood”)
Medical history Refers to asking for medically relevant information (about your medical history) by specialist staff (physicians/other specialist staff).
Antibiotics (from Greek anti, “against”, bios, “life”) Refers to a group of medicines that prevent microorganisms such as bacteria from multiplying or surviving.
Antiemetics (from Greek “anti” against and “emesi” vomiting) are medicines intended to prevent and suppress nausea and vomiting.
Antibodies Antibodies are naturally occurring protein molecules that recognise foreign and, if necessary, the body’s own structures as so-called antigens and attach to them. They are important for the human immune defence against pathogens. So-called “monoclonal antibodies” can be produced artificially and target a specific feature of tumour cells. In ovarian cancer treatment, for example, bevacizumab is used.
Antibody therapy Targeted therapy with antibodies that bind to specific targets on the cancer cell or on the body’s own immune cells, thereby promoting the killing of the cancer cell or inhibiting its growth.
Anus praeter Artificial bowel opening, also called an enterostoma; this is a surgically created opening in which the bowel is brought out through the abdominal wall. A small part of the bowel is visible and is sealed with a self-adhesive bag. This is odour-proof and collects the excretions.
Ascites Accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity, for example as a result of metastases in the peritoneum (peritoneal metastases) or spread of ovarian cancer (see also peritoneal carcinomatosis). The term is used both for the condition and for the fluid itself.
Peritoneum Also called the peritoneum. A thin membrane that lines the wall of the abdominal and pelvic cavity and covers a large part of the abdominal and pelvic organs.
Intraperitoneal chemotherapy (intraperitoneal chemotherapy) Local rather than systemic chemotherapy; the active substances are delivered directly into the abdominal cavity instead of into the bloodstream. In this way, the substances can act locally in high concentrations, while side effects on the whole body are lower compared to systemic chemotherapy. The substances are flushed into the abdominal cavity via a thin tube with up to two litres of fluid. They remain there for several hours. However, intraperitoneal chemotherapy is only tolerated to a very limited extent. Painful peritonitis and scarring in the abdominal cavity may occur.
Omentum In medical terminology, the omentum is called the omentum majus; it is also known as the greater omentum. It mainly covers the small intestine and parts of the large intestine. The omentum is rich in fatty tissue, blood vessels and lymph vessels. Its tasks include fluid regulation and immune defence in the abdominal cavity.
Comorbidities Comorbidities (also comorbidity) are additional illnesses that are present independently of the cancer diagnosis and require their own treatment (e.g. diabetes, high blood pressure or cardiovascular diseases). Psychiatric illnesses, such as depression, may also be included.
benign Benign
Benign tumour Benign growth that does not form metastases
Bevacizumab The antibody bevacizumab is an angiogenesis inhibitor, meaning it inhibits the formation of new blood vessels. It does not attack the cancer cells themselves, but inhibits the growth factor VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor), which is released by tumour cells to stimulate vessel formation in the surrounding tissue. When tumours reach a certain size, they require their own newly formed blood vessels to meet their increased oxygen and nutrient needs. This new vessel formation (angiogenesis) is reduced by bevacizumab. Bevacizumab is administered as an infusion. It can often cause serious side effects.
Biopsy Greek bios, “life” and opsis, “seeing”; removal and subsequent histological or laboratory-chemical examination of a tissue sample (the biopsy specimen). This examination is carried out in an institute of pathology and, in addition to confirming a diagnosis in the case of suspicious tissue changes, also serves to further plan therapy. In a biopsy, tissue is removed to clarify a suspected tumour so that it can be examined histologically under a microscope.
Borderline tumour A borderline tumour refers to tumours that cannot be clearly classified as benign or malignant. Cell and tissue changes are present, but no destructive growth can be detected. They are also referred to as tumours with low malignant potential.
BRCA gene A rare hereditary factor on the basis of which breast and/or ovarian cancer can develop.
BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 BRCA stands for BReast CAncer and is the name of a gene that was given because of its association with breast cancer. If there is a mutation in one of the BRCA genes (BRCA 1 or BRCA 2), this can, for example, promote the development of breast or ovarian cancer. A germline BRCA gene mutation is hereditary, and carriers have an increased risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer during their lifetime.
Cancer English word for cancer
Chemotherapy Treatment of cancer patients with special medicines, so-called cytostatics. Depending on the therapeutic objective, curative, (neo-)adjuvant and palliative chemotherapy can be distinguished.
chronic Chronic means “long-lasting” or “slow”. Chronic illnesses develop slowly and gradually and persist over a long period of time. Often only the symptoms, but not the cause, can be treated.
Computed tomography (CT) Greek tomos, “slice” and “graphein” to draw, write; computer-assisted diagnostic procedure that uses X-rays to produce images, e.g. cross-sectional and longitudinal images of the human body,
Depression Latin deprimere, “to depress”; Depression is diagnosed when certain signs of illness such as low mood, lack of drive, fatigue and loss of interest persist for at least two weeks. It is a pathological mental disorder and a state in which the experience of feelings is reduced, contrary to the widespread synonymous use of the term with sadness.
Diagnosis Greek Diagnosí “investigation”; By carefully examining, weighing up and assessing all signs of illness, the doctor concludes that a disease is present and determines its specific characteristics.
Diagnostic surgery Only surgery can definitively determine whether a tumour is benign or malignant and what type of ovarian cancer it is. This process is also called “surgical staging”. Often, the first treatment step is also carried out during the same operation, e.g. removal of the ovaries. For certain tissue types, e.g. borderline tumours or so-called low-grade carcinoma, a frozen section examination can be performed during surgery. A final examination and definitive diagnosis takes place a few days later, so a second operation may be necessary.
Diarrhoea Diarrhoea
Doxorubicin Doxorubicin is a cytostatic drug. It inhibits tumour growth. It causes breaks in DNA and simultaneously suppresses an enzyme important for DNA synthesis, which triggers cell death. However, it is not only effective in the cell division phase. This means the potential for side effects with this cytostatic drug is comparatively high. Ovarian cancer can be treated with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin. “Pegylated liposomal” means that the active substance doxorubicin is specially prepared. It is bound to polyethylene glycol (pegylated) and, in addition, the pegylated doxorubicin is surrounded by a capsule of fat molecules (liposomes). This makes the active substance better tolerated, causes unwanted effects less frequently and remains in the body longer.
Drainage Refers to the natural or therapeutic drainage of bodily fluids. The fluid can drain via an existing body structure or via a “drain” inserted by the doctor.
Fallopian tube cancer Tubal carcinoma; this is a cancer that behaves biologically like ovarian cancer and is treated accordingly.
Endocrine therapy So-called antihormone therapy; hormones are responsible for important processes in the body such as lowering blood sugar levels, reproduction or growth. Some tumours also grow more strongly under the influence of hormones. Ovarian cancer, for example, can grow under the influence of the female sex hormone oestrogen. This hormone dependence of cancer cells is the starting point of antihormone therapy. The body’s own hormones that promote tumour growth are switched off. This can inhibit the spread of a tumour. As a rule, antihormone therapy is better tolerated and associated with fewer side effects than chemotherapy.
Enteral nutrition Greek enteron “intestine”; a form of artificial nutrition in which nutrients are delivered directly into the stomach or intestine via a tube. This tube can be inserted through the nose or placed into the stomach or intestine through an incision in the abdominal wall.
Epithelium Boundary or covering tissue consisting of a closed layer of cells that covers internal or external body surfaces and separates them from their surroundings. In addition, some epithelia perform special functions, such as mucosal epithelia in the nasal mucosa or intestinal mucosa.
Maintenance therapy If active substances are given preventively for several years or lifelong to prevent a recurrence, this is referred to as maintenance therapy.
Initial treatment Initial treatment of ovarian cancer includes surgical removal of the tumour with or without subsequent chemotherapy.
Erythrocytes Red blood cells, which are important for supplying oxygen to the tissue
Etoposide A cytostatic drug that primarily disrupts the structure of genetic information, making cells unable to divide.
Extirpation Surgical removal/excision
Fatigue French for tiredness, exhaustion; refers to a common accompanying symptom of many cancers: triggered by the disease itself or by radiotherapy or chemotherapy, it can lead to states of persistent exhaustion, weakness and feeling overwhelmed.
Fine-needle aspiration In fine-needle aspiration, tissue is removed using a thin needle and then examined in the laboratory. It is also referred to as a fine-needle biopsy.
Distant metastases Secondary tumours that arise far from the original tumour from a cancer cell
Fertility Fertility
FIGO classification The FIGO classification is a system developed by the Fédération Internationale de Gynécologie et d’Obstétrique (FIGO) for classifying gynaecological tumours (FIGO stage 0 to IV).
Gastroscopy Examination method of the stomach (endoscopy)
Gemcitabine Gemcitabine is a cytostatic drug. It is incorporated into a cell’s genetic material (DNA) in place of a natural building block. This destroys the genetic information. The cell’s repair mechanism cannot recognise the error, and the cell becomes unable to divide.
Genetic (Greek “geneá” descent and “génesis” origin) Hereditary, determined by genes.
Genetic predisposition A genetic predisposition refers to an inherited gene mutation present from birth which, in the case of the BRCA genes, is associated with an increased risk of developing, among other things, breast or ovarian cancer. If this genetic predisposition is present, the probability of passing it on to offspring is 50%.
Tumour New formation of tissue in the form of excessive growth (see also tumour)
Grading Description and classification of the cellular appearance after examination of the removed tissue by the pathologist. It describes the extent to which the tumour tissue differs from normal tissue (degree of differentiation). The greater this deviation, the more aggressive the tumour and the less favourable the prognosis.
Granulocytes White blood cells that are important for fighting bacterial inflammation
Greater omentum Apron-shaped fold of peritoneum that extends from the large intestine over the small intestine (Latin: omentum majus)
Gynaecology Women’s health; the study of treating diseases of the female sexual and reproductive organs.
Gynaecological oncologist A specialist in women’s health who specialises in cancer
Hb Abbreviation for haemoglobin, a measure of the concentration of red blood cells in the blood
High-grade carcinoma Means that, under the microscope, the cancer is classified as “poorly differentiated”. This tumour grows quickly and aggressively
Histological analysis In most cases, the tumour tissue is examined histologically during the operation. To do this, suspicious tissue is removed and examined under the microscope by the pathologist in a so-called frozen section while the patient is still under anaesthesia. This serves, on the one hand, to confirm the suspected diagnosis; on the other hand, there are certain histological features that can influence the further course of the operation.
Histology Refers to the histological examination of tumour tissue
High-risk families In so-called high-risk families, there is an increased lifetime risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer because gene mutations associated with certain diseases can be inherited within the family. The German Consortium for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer has defined certain inclusion criteria for belonging to high-risk families.
Hormone therapy Treatment with hormones, see endocrine therapy
Hospice Hospices care for seriously ill people with an incurable, progressive disease and limited life expectancy, as well as dying people for whom inpatient hospital treatment is not required but care at home is not possible. In a hospice, the focus is on monitoring symptoms of the disease and relieving discomfort.
Hysterectomy Removal of the uterus
Ileostomy Artificial bowel opening; see urostomy for more details
Ileus Bowel obstruction
Infusion Fluids administered via a vein
interdisciplinary In medicine, interdisciplinary means that doctors from different specialties (= disciplines) and other specialists are involved in treatment together.
intravenous Into the vein
Cardiotoxic Cardiotoxic (from Greek Kardía, “heart” and Latin toxicum, “poison”) refers to substances or medicines that can impair or even damage the heart in various ways. Cardiotoxicity is an important side effect of some chemotherapeutic agents.
Carcinoma (Greek/Latin “carcinoma” cancerous ulcer) Carcinoma is one of the malignant types of cancer. This means: cancer cells grow destructively into other tissues; individual cancer cells can spread via the blood or lymphatic vessels into other tissues and form deposits (metastases) there. Carcinoma is a tumour originating from covering tissue (epithelium).
Clinical trial A clinical trial is a scientific study that investigates whether a medicine can be newly approved or whether established drug therapy concepts can be optimised in routine clinical practice.
Completion surgery Removal of the organs that were not removed during the first operation to preserve fertility (usually the uterus and one ovary with fallopian tube).
Complementary and alternative treatment methods “Complementum” is Latin and means “supplement”. In addition to treatment options tested in studies, various complementary methods and medicines, often also referred to as alternative, are offered. Complementary treatment methods come, for example, from naturopathy or traditional Chinese medicine and can, under certain conditions, be used in addition to standard medical treatment. Alternative methods, on the other hand, are methods used instead of methods and medicines developed by scientific medicine. However, the effectiveness of these methods in cancer is often not sufficiently proven according to scientific-clinical standards.
Creatinine Excretion form of a muscle metabolism product; provides information about kidney function; important for dosing certain medicines
Art therapy Art therapy is a discipline within the creative therapies. Within a protected therapeutic relationship, it enables above all non-verbal expression as well as conscious access through the diverse media and techniques of the visual arts.
curative Latin curare, “to heal”. Curative medicine refers to therapeutic measures aimed at healing treatment.
Curative treatment Treatment with the aim of cure
Laparoscopy In contrast to opening the abdominal cavity (see laparotomy), the abdomen is not opened with a long incision; instead, thin special instruments are inserted into the abdominal cavity. Colloquially, this is also referred to as keyhole surgery.
Operative laparotomy Opening of the abdominal cavity through an abdominal incision.
Quality of life The value of a treatment is not measured only by whether life can be prolonged. You should also be able to assess what impact the treatment may have on your quality of life. Quality of life is a flexible term: everyone understands something different by it. And that is why people in a comparable situation make different decisions. In consultation with the doctor or therapy team, your individual needs for treatment with the best possible quality of life are discussed.
Leukopenia Reduction in white blood cells
Leukocytes White blood cells
Lymphadenectomy Latin lympha, “spring/river water”, Greek aden, “gland” and Greek ektomein; “to cut out”; surgical removal of the lymph nodes. The removed lymph nodes are examined for tumour involvement. This makes it possible to determine or rule out that the tumour has already spread. This is important for the TNM classification of a tumour and for further treatment.
Lymph drainage Special massage for the treatment of lymphoedema (swelling). This treatment can be prescribed by the doctor.
Lymphoedema and lymphocele Lymphoedema is a non-reddened and painless swelling as a result of fluid accumulation in the tissue spaces, e.g. in the groin, genital area and legs. These can occur when the lymphatic system is disrupted and lymph (interstitial fluid) cannot drain away. When lymph fluid accumulates in cysts, this is referred to as lymphoceles.
Lymphonodectomy Removal of lymph nodes; see also lymphadenectomy
Lymph nodes Lymph nodes are responsible for absorbing and filtering tissue fluid in a region of the body.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Greek tomos, “slice” and graphein, “to draw”, write; Magnetic resonance imaging is an imaging procedure used for diagnostics. From the outside, the structure and function of internal tissues and organs can be visualised. However, unlike X-rays or computed tomography, this procedure is not based on X-ray radiation, but on strong electromagnetic fields.
macroscopic complete resection Latin resecare, “to cut off”; surgical complete removal of the visible tumour tissue.
malignant Malignant
Mammography X-ray examination of the breast
Metastases Metastases, also called secondary tumours, are deposits of cells from the original so-called primary tumour. The cells reach other organs via the bloodstream or the lymphatic system, where they form distant deposits of the tumour. On their way through the vascular systems, many tumour cells get stuck in the lymph nodes, so lymph node involvement provides an important indication of the spread of the disease.
Monochemotherapy In chemotherapy, this refers to treatment with one medicine, in contrast to polychemotherapy, treatment with more than one active substance
Mutation A mutation refers to a change in genetic material. This can occur spontaneously during life, but can also be inherited. A mutation is neither good nor bad per se; however, there are mutations that can have effects on health.
Mucositis Inflammation of the mucous membrane
Music therapy The targeted use of music achieves a therapeutic effect. Music therapy serves to restore, maintain and promote mental and physical health. It is already established in inpatient clinical settings, but so far it plays only a minor role in outpatient care.
Myelosuppression Damage to the bone marrow impairs or stops blood formation.
Nausea Nausea
Side effects Not every side effect occurs in every patient, and some are very rare. There is a precise regulation for how the frequency of a side effect must be described in medicine package leaflets. The frequency information in the text sections of the patient guideline also refers to this regulation.
neoadjuvant Greek neo, “new” and Latin adjuvare, “to support”; a supportive treatment that is carried out before the surgical procedure, for example chemotherapy before an operation.
Nephrotoxic Damaging to the kidneys
Neuropathy A disease of the peripheral nerves that can also occur as a side effect of therapy with certain chemotherapeutic agents. This can lead to abnormal sensations such as tingling and stabbing, or numbness up to complete loss of sensation, for example in the hands and feet.
Neutropenia Refers to a severe reduction in white blood cells. It can occur as a side effect of chemotherapy.
Constipation Constipation
Oedema Greek oidema, “swelling”; pathological accumulation of tissue fluid in the spaces between cells.
Occult metastases Latin occultus, “hidden”; some metastases are still so small at the time of diagnosis that they cannot be detected. The tumour is then classified as curable and may be operated on, even though it has already spread.
Omentectomy Surgical (in)complete removal of the omentum
Omentum majus Also called the omentum or greater omentum; it mainly covers the small intestine and parts of the large intestine. The omentum is rich in fatty tissue, blood vessels and lymph vessels. Its tasks include fluid regulation and immune defence in the abdominal cavity.
Oncology Greek onkos, “swelling”, logos, “study”; the medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care of cancer.
Osteoporosis Bone loss; a metabolic disease of the bones. Bone density decreases, and the bones become prone to fractures and unstable.
Ovary Ovary
Ovarian carcinoma Ovarian cancer is also called ovarian carcinoma because it affects the ovaries.
Paclitaxel Chemotherapeutic agent from the taxane group
palliative In medicine, palliative means “relieving”. Palliative treatment does not aim to cure, but to relieve symptoms. In the context of care, “palliative” describes care in the last phase of life. This does not necessarily mean the “end stage” of an illness, although the term is often used that way. The right time to start palliative care depends on the patient’s needs.
Palliative care unit Palliative care units are independent departments attached to a hospital. They admit patients with an advanced illness that can no longer be cured and with symptoms that require hospital treatment. A doctor is available around the clock; one nurse cares for a maximum of four patients. The rooms (usually single rooms) and the entire unit are designed to feel homely and should be as little reminiscent of a hospital as possible. For relatives, there are usually free overnight accommodation options.
Parenteral nutrition Greek para, “beside” and enteron, “intestine”; artificial nutrition “bypassing the intestine”, in which a highly concentrated nutrient solution is administered directly into the blood via an infusion (in contrast to enteral nutrition, in which nutrients are delivered into the intestine via a tube)
PARP inhibitors PARP inhibitors inhibit an enzyme called PARP (the Poly-ADP-Ribose-Polymerase), which the cell needs to repair DNA damage that may have been caused, for example, by chemotherapy. If this enzyme can no longer perform its function due to inhibition, DNA damage can no longer be repaired by the cell and it dies.
Pathology Greek Pathos, “suffering”, and logos, “study”; Pathology is a medical specialty that deals with pathological processes and structures in the body. For example, a pathologist examines tissue removed during cancer surgery to draw conclusions about the type and extent of the tumour.
Peritoneal carcinoma Peritoneal cancer; meaning the peritoneum itself is the site of origin of the malignant tumour cells. This is a cancer that behaves biologically like ovarian cancer and is treated accordingly. More often, however, other malignant tumours have spread to the peritoneum (see peritoneal carcinomatosis).
Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Some malignant tumors, such as ovarian or fallopian tube cancer, can spread to the peritoneum. This is referred to as peritoneal carcinomatosis. Sometimes only parts of the peritoneum are affected, sometimes the entire peritoneum, which can lead to life-threatening complications.
Peritoneal Metastases Tumor deposits in the peritoneum
Peritoneal Cytology Laboratory examination of ascitic fluid for cancer cells. The peritoneum consists of a thin epithelium that is biologically similar to ovarian tissue. It surrounds the internal organs below the diaphragm and lines the abdominal cavity. It serves as a gliding layer and thus ensures good mobility of the organs. Another function of the peritoneum is to absorb fluid from the abdominal cavity and deliver it to the lymphatic and blood vessels. This is important for the body’s defense system. The peritoneum has a surface area of approximately 2 square meters.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) PET, like MRI and CT, belongs to the so-called cross-sectional imaging procedures. A weakly radioactive substance (usually glucose that is radioactively “labeled”) is injected, which allows the metabolism of body cells to be visualized three-dimensionally. This examination is now often performed together with computed tomography (PET-CT).
Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer A platinum-resistant tumor is one in which the ovarian carcinoma did not respond adequately to platinum-based chemotherapy during initial treatment. By definition, this is the case when disease progression occurs after less than 6 months. The tumor is therefore insensitive (resistant) to the medication used.
Platinum-Sensitive Ovarian Cancer A platinum-sensitive tumor is one in which the ovarian carcinoma responded to platinum-based chemotherapy during initial treatment, meaning a recurrence occurs after more than 6 months.
Platinum Compounds Platinum compounds are highly effective cytostatic agents. Chemical compounds of this precious metal bind to the genetic material of tumor cells and additionally inhibit the enzymes that could repair the resulting damage. However, these medications have comparatively strong side effects, especially nausea, which can largely be suppressed with accompanying medications. They are usually used in combination with other active substances. Examples: cisplatin, oxaliplatin, carboplatin.
Pleural Effusion This is a pathological accumulation of fluid in the space between the lung and chest wall (pleural cavity). This narrow space is lined with the so-called pleura, i.e., the pulmonary pleura and the costal or parietal pleura. A malignant pleural effusion therefore refers to fluid containing cancer cells that surrounds the lung.
Polychemotherapy In chemotherapy, refers to treatment with several medications simultaneously.
Port The port (venous catheter) is usually inserted under local anesthesia, for example above the chest, and opens into the vein leading to the heart. A port avoids the need to repeatedly establish new venous access points, for example on the arm, which can lead to pain and inflammation. A port also reduces the risk of infusions leaking from the veins into the surrounding tissue when they are weakened. After completion of therapy, the port can be removed.
Postoperative after surgery
Preoperative before surgery
Primary Tumor Original or initial tumor; the primary tumor is the first tumor that developed, from which metastases can originate.
Prognosis Greek pro, “before” and gnosis, “knowledge”; in medicine, refers to a prediction about the expected course of a disease.
Proteinuria Is the excretion of protein in the urine, which is normal to a small extent. Increased excretion of protein in the urine is a consequence of renal insufficiency.
Prophylaxis Prevention
Psycho-oncologists These are specially trained physicians, psychologists, or social workers who support you and your relatives in better coping with psychological stress.
Psycho-oncology The term describes an interdisciplinary form of psychotherapy or clinical psychology that deals with the psychological, social, and social-legal conditions, consequences, and accompanying phenomena of cancer.
Psycho-oncological Support Support for all psychological effects of cancer (e.g., help with coping with the disease, depression, etc.).
Psychosomatics Connection between physical disorders, symptoms, or clinical conditions and the psyche. It is assumed that the psyche has a strong influence on the course of various clinical conditions.
Psychosocial Refers to social and psychological factors that influence each other.
Psychosocial Care It serves to support and mobilize the patient in various areas of life. Through a variation of different psychological therapy forms tailored to the individual needs of a patient, the return to good quality of life is supported.
Rehabilitation Measures In medicine, rehabilitation refers to the restoration of a patient’s physical and/or psychological abilities after an illness. Rehabilitation measures refer to all medical, psychosocial, and occupational services that support the patient in reintegrating into family, society, and professional life.
Resection Latin resecare, “to cut off”; refers to the partial removal of an organ or tissue section, e.g., tumor tissue. After surgery, the result of the operation is assessed with the letter “R”: R0 = no residual tumor present; R1-2 = remaining residual tumor with varying extent.
Recurrence A recurrence refers to the radiologically or clinically detectable reappearance or progression of ovarian carcinoma—that is, the recurrence of the disease has been confirmed through clinical examination results or, for example, computed tomography.
Recurrence-Free Interval or Progression-Free Survival Period of time between the last cycle of previous chemotherapy and the recurrence or progression of cancer.
Risk Factors Certain circumstances and factors can promote the development of a disease. These include, for example, lifestyle and dietary habits, hereditary predispositions, pre-existing diseases, contact with harmful substances, etc. If the connection between such a factor and an increased risk of disease is proven, it is called a risk factor. Smoking, for example, is a risk factor for many diseases.
SAPV Care SAPV stands for specialized ambulatory palliative care and goes beyond general ambulatory palliative care. SAPV should consist of specialized physicians and nurses as well as at least one other professional group and be available 24 hours a day. There is a legal right to SAPV as well as coverage of costs by statutory health insurance.
Writing Therapy Writing is so important in therapies because in psychological crises one’s perspective narrows: writing is often the first way to break out of inner despair, to broaden one’s perspective again, and yet not be at the mercy of fears and psychological injuries. Personal writing is open to everyone; it does not require special literary or linguistic skills; rather, every person has an inherent capacity for linguistic expression.
S3 Guideline Is a guidance and decision-making tool for physicians. The recommendations are based on the best currently available medical knowledge. Nevertheless, a guideline is not a mandatory requirement. Each patient has her own medical history and her own wishes. In justified cases, the physician must even deviate from the guideline recommendations. The Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (AWMF) evaluates guidelines according to their quality. Level S3 has the highest methodological quality and is based on very thorough evidence research, quality assessment of the literature regarding its scientific validity and clinical significance, and the achievement of consensus among the participating experts.
Second-Look Surgery After completion of treatment, a “second look” at the surgical area can in principle detect and possibly remove any residual tumor. This second operation to check the treatment success is called second-look surgery by specialists.
Sonography See ultrasound examination
Staging In oncology, “staging” or stage classification refers to the part of diagnostics that serves to determine the extent of spread of a malignant tumor.
Stoma The term stoma (Greek = mouth) refers to a surgically created opening on the abdomen. It is therefore an artificially created opening of a hollow organ to the body surface, for example of the intestine (enterostomy or colostomy) or the urinary bladder (urostomy). The stoma is reddish and protrudes slightly from the abdominal wall.
Radiation Therapy Also called radiotherapy, is the medical application of radiation with the aim of curing diseases or delaying their progression. The radiation damages the genetic material in the irradiated cells and can lead to cell death, particularly in cells lacking repair capacity, such as tumor cells. The radiation can act on the patient’s body from outside using appropriate devices or emanate from a radiation source inserted into the body (in so-called brachytherapy). Specialists in radiation therapy are called radiologists.
Subtypes Subgrouping of ovarian carcinomas; in epithelial ovarian cancer, various histological subtypes are distinguished: • serous (approximately 50 percent); • mucinous (approximately 10 percent); • endometrioid (approximately 20 percent); • clear cell (approximately 7 percent); • transitional cell (approximately 1 percent); • mixed (approximately 2 percent); • undifferentiated or unclassified carcinomas (approximately 10 percent). The different histological subtypes have an impact on survival prospects.
Supportive Therapy Supportive treatment of side effects such as pain, fatigue, etc. Supportive treatment is an indispensable component of therapy.
Symptom In medicine, refers to a sign of a disease or injury. All symptoms occurring in a disease process are referred to as symptomatology. Symptoms can be subjective, i.e., perceptible by the affected person themselves, or objective, i.e., perceptible from the outside.
Taxanes Taxanes are a group of chemotherapy drugs originally derived from yew bark (Latin “taxus eibifolia“). Today, the active substances are produced semi-synthetically. These medications have the ability to “halt” cell division (= cytostatic agents). Examples of this class of drugs are paclitaxel or docetaxel.
Therapy (Greek “therapeia” serving, care) Treatment, medical treatment.
Thromboembolism Vascular occlusion; when a blood clot is carried within the bloodstream and thereby obstructs or occludes a vessel, it is called thromboembolism.
Tumor Latin tumor, “swelling”; refers to a swelling or space-occupying lesion that arises from dysregulation of cell growth. Tumors can be benign or malignant (see “benign” or “malignant”) and can affect nearly all body tissues.
Tumor Conference Many specialists are involved in the treatment of cancer: for example, surgeons, radiation therapists, oncologists, palliative care physicians. In large hospitals that specialize in the treatment of certain cancers, treatment decisions are discussed in a tumor conference. There, physicians from all disciplines sit together to jointly coordinate the best course of action. The final decision about treatment—after thorough consultation—lies with the patient.
Tumor Stage The tumor stage indicates how advanced the tumor disease is. The classification of disease stages (TNM classification) is based on the size of the tumor (abbreviation: T), whether lymph nodes are affected (abbreviation: N), and whether the tumor has spread to other organs (formed metastases) (abbreviation: M). The FIGO classification is also used for classifying malignant tumors of the female genital organs.
Topotecan Is a cytostatic agent that is semi-synthetically produced as a derivative of the plant substance camptothecin. It primarily disrupts the structure of genetic information and thereby renders cells incapable of division.
Tumor Markers Are endogenous substances that are produced particularly frequently by cancer cells or whose production is triggered by cancer cells. In determining tumor markers, it is not a single measured value that is important, but a trend: if marker values develop conspicuously over a certain period of time, this can be an indication of further progression of the cancer. However, the tumor marker can also be elevated in benign diseases.
Ultrasound Examination also called sonography, imaging procedure using ultrasound waves to examine organic tissue.
Urostomy Artificial urinary bladder outlet for draining urine at the abdominal wall (see also stoma). The operation to create a temporary or permanent urostomy is called urostomy.
Targeted Therapies Targeted therapies are treatment forms that attack specific targets, i.e., structures on or in cancer cells. The antibody cetuximab, for example, blocks a receptor on certain cancer cells.
Cytostatic Agents Cytostatic agents are medications that disrupt or prevent cell division, which can also cause cell death. During chemotherapy, cytostatic agents such as carboplatin and paclitaxel are administered.