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Glossary

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  • National Cancer Institute

    (NA-shuh-nul KAN-ser IN-stih-TOOT)

    The National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, is the Federal Government's principal agency for cancer research. The National Cancer Institute conducts, coordinates, and funds cancer research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs with respect to the cause, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer.

  • Natural killer cell

    (NA-chuh-rul KIH-ler sel)

    A type of immune cell that has granules (small particles) with enzymes that can kill tumor cells or cells infected with a virus. A natural killer cell is a type of white blood cell. Also called NK cell and NK-LGL.

  • Nausea

    (NAW-zee-uh)

    A feeling of sickness or discomfort in the stomach that may come with an urge to vomit. Nausea is a side effect of some types of cancer therapy.

  • Nebulizer

    (NEH-byoo-LY-zer)

    A device used to turn liquid into a fine spray.

  • Necrosis

    (neh-KROH-sis)

    Refers to the death of living tissues.

  • Needle biopsy

    (NEE-dul BY-op-see)

    The removal of tissue or fluid with a needle for examination under a microscope. When a wide needle is used, the procedure is called a core biopsy. When a thin needle is used, the procedure is called a fine-needle aspiration biopsy.

  • Needle localization

    (NEE-dul LOH-kuh-lih-ZAY-shun)

    A procedure used to mark a small area of abnormal tissue so it can be removed by surgery. An imaging device is used to guide a thin wire with a hook at the end through a hollow needle to place the wire in or around the abnormal area. Once the wire is in the right place, the needle is removed and the wire is left in place so the doctor will know where the abnormal tissue is. The wire is removed when a biopsy is done. Also called needle/wire localization and wire localization.

  • Needle-localized biopsy

    (NEE-dul-LOH-kuh-lized BY-op-see)

    A procedure to mark and remove abnormal tissue when the doctor cannot feel a lump. An imaging device is used to guide a thin wire with a hook on the end through a hollow needle to place the wire in or around the abnormal area. Once the wire is in the right place, the needle is removed and the wire is left in so the doctor will know where the abnormal tissue is. The wire is removed at the time the biopsy is done.

  • Negative test result

    (NEH-guh-tiv ... reh-ZULT)

    A test result that shows the substance or condition the test is supposed to find is not present at all or is present, but in normal amounts. In genetics, a negative test result usually means that a person does not have a mutation (change) in the gene, chromosome, or protein that is being tested. More testing may be needed to make sure a negative test result is correct.

  • Neoplasm

    (NEE-oh-PLA-zum)

    An abnormal mass of tissue that forms when cells grow and divide more than they should or do not die when they should. Neoplasms may be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer).