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Glossary

Showing 681-690 out of 1175 Terms

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  • Laser surgery

    (LAY-zer SER-juh-ree)

    Treatment that uses intense, narrow beams of light to cut and destroy tissue, such as cancer tissue. Laser therapy may also be used to reduce lymphedema (swelling caused by a buildup of lymph fluid in tissue) after breast cancer surgery.

  • Late effect

    (layt eh-FEKT)

    A health problem that occurs months or years after a disease is diagnosed or after treatment has ended. Late effects may be caused by cancer or cancer treatment. They may include physical, mental, and social problems and second cancers.

  • Late-stage cancer

    (LAYT-stayj KAN-ser)

    A term used to describe cancer that is far along in its growth, and has spread to the lymph nodes or other places in the body.

  • Latent

    (LAY-tent)

    Describes a condition that is present but not active or causing symptoms.

  • Laxative

    (LAK-suh-tiv)

    A substance that promotes bowel movements.

  • Lesion

    (lee-zhun)

    A change in body tissue; sometimes used as another word for tumor.

  • Lethargy

    (LEH-thur-jee)

    A condition marked by drowsiness and an unusual lack of energy and mental alertness. It can be caused by many things, including illness, injury, or drugs.

  • Leucopenia

    Decrease in the white blood cell count, often a side effect of chemotherapy.

  • Leukapheresis

    LOO-kuh-feh-REE-sis

    Removal of the blood to collect specific blood cells. The remaining blood is returned to the body.

  • Leukemia

    loo-KEE-mee-uh

    Cancer of the blood or blood-forming organs. If you have leukemia, you may have a noticeable increase in white blood cells (leukocytes).