Cancer Dictionary – P
Peritoneal Mesothelioma (meh-zuh-thee-lee-OH-muh) A malignant (cancerous) tumor affecting the lining of the abdomen. Exposure to asbestos particles in the air leads to the development of malignant mesothelioma.
palliative care (PA-lee-uh-tiv…) Activities that ease the symptoms of a disease or the side effects of treatment for a disease. Palliative care does not cure the disease. It is aimed at improving quality of life and it addresses the psychological, social, and spiritual needs of patients and their families. Also called palliative therapy, comfort care, supportive care, and symptom management.
palliative therapy (PA-lee-uh-tiv THAYR-uh-pee) Activities that ease the symptoms of a disease or the side effects of treatment for a disease. Palliative therapy does not cure the disease. It is aimed at improving quality of life and it addresses the psychological, social, and spiritual needs of patients and their families. Also called palliative care, comfort care, supportive care, and symptom management.
papillary tumor (PAP-ih-lar-ee TOO-mer) A tumor shaped like a small mushroom, with its stem attached to the epithelial layer (inner lining) of an organ.
parietal pericardium The outer layer of the pericardium, which is a thin sac of tissue that surrounds the heart.
parietal peritoneum (puh-RY-uh-tul PAYR-ih-toh-NEE-um) The layers of tissue that line the abdominal wall and the pelvic cavity.
pathological staging (PA-thuh-LAH-jih-kul STAY-jing) A method used to determine the stage of cancer. Tissue samples are removed during surgery or a biopsy. The stage is determined based on how the cells in the samples look under a microscope.
pathologist (puh-THAH-loh-jist) A doctor who identifies diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope.
pathology report (puh-THAH-loh-jee …) The description of cells and tissues made by a pathologist based on microscopic evidence, and sometimes used to make a diagnosis of a disease.
patient advocate A person who helps a patient work with others who have an effect on the patient’s health, including doctors, insurance companies, employers, case managers, and lawyers. A patient advocate helps resolve issues about health care, medical bills, and job discrimination related to a patient’s medical condition. Cancer advocacy groups try to raise public awareness about important cancer issues, such as the need for cancer support services, education, and research. Such groups work to bring about change that will help cancer patients and their families.
peritoneal (PAYR-ih-toh-NEE-ul) Having to do with the parietal peritoneum (the tissue that lines the abdominal wall and pelvic cavity) and visceral peritoneum (the tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdomen, including the intestines).peritoneal mesothelioma
peritoneal cancer (PAYR-ih-toh-NEE-ul KAN-ser) Cancer of the tissue that lines the abdominal wall and covers organs in the abdomen.
peritoneal cavity (PAYR-ih-toh-NEE-ul KA-vuh-tee) The space within the abdomen that contains the intestines, the stomach, and the liver. It is bound by thin membranes.
peritoneal fluid (PAYR-ih-toh-NEE-ul FLOO-id) A liquid that is made in the abdominal cavity to lubricate the surface of the tissue that lines the abdominal wall and pelvic cavity and covers most of the organs in the abdomen.
peritoneal infusion A method of delivering fluids and drugs directly into the abdominal cavity through a thin tube. Also called intraperitoneal infusion.
peritoneal perfusion A method of delivering fluids and drugs directly to tumors in the peritoneal cavity.
peritoneum (PAYR-ih-toh-NEE-um) The tissue that lines the abdominal wall and covers most of the organs in the abdomen.
peritonitis Inflammation of the peritoneum (tissue that lines the abdominal wall and covers most of the organs in the abdomen). Peritonitis can result from infection, injury, or certain diseases. Symptoms may include swelling of the abdomen, severe pain, and weight loss.
PET scan Positron emission tomography scan. A procedure in which a small amount of radioactive glucose (sugar) is injected into a vein, and a scanner is used to make detailed, computerized pictures of areas inside the body where the glucose is used. Because cancer cells often use more glucose than normal cells, the pictures can be used to find cancer cells in the body. Also called positron emission tomography scan.
Philadelphia chromosome An abnormality of chromosome 22 in which part of chromosome 9 is transferred to it. Bone marrow cells that contain the Philadelphia chromosome are often found in chronic myelogenous leukemia.
pleura (PLOOR-uh) A thin layer of tissue that covers the lungs and lines the interior wall of the chest cavity. It protects and cushions the lungs. This tissue secretes a small amount of fluid that acts as a lubricant, allowing the lungs to move smoothly in the chest cavity while breathing.
pleural cavity The space enclosed by the pleura, which is a thin layer of tissue that covers the lungs and lines the interior wall of the chest cavity. Site of pleural mesothelioma.
pleural effusion An abnormal collection of fluid between the thin layers of tissue (pleura) lining the lung and the wall of the chest cavity.
pleurectomy (ploor-EK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove part of the pleura (a thin layer of tissue that covers the interior wall of the chest cavity).
Pleural mesothelioma (meh-zuh-thee-lee-OH-muh) A malignant (cancerous) tumor affecting the lining of the chest. Exposure to asbestos particles in the air leads to the development of malignant mesothelioma.
Pleural plaque (plak) In medicine, a small, abnormal patch of tissue in the lung. Often associated with exposure to asbestos
pneumonectomy (EK-struh-PLOOR-ul NOO-moh-NEK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove mesothelioma or a diseased lung, part of the pericardium (membrane covering the heart), part of the diaphragm (muscle between the lungs and the abdomen), and part of the parietal pleura (membrane lining the chest). This type of surgery is used most often to treat malignant mesothelioma.
preleukemia (PREE-loo-KEE-mee-a) A group of diseases in which the bone marrow does not make enough healthy blood cells. Also called myelodysplastic syndromes and smoldering leukemia.
premalignant (pree-muh-LIG-nunt) A term used to describe a condition that may (or is likely to) become cancer. Also called precancerous.
primary care (PRY-mayr-ee…) Health services that meet most basic health care needs over time. Primary care includes physical exams, treatment of common medical conditions, and preventive care such as immunizations and screenings. Primary care doctors are usually the first health professionals patients see for basic medical care. They may refer a patient to a specialist if needed.
primary care doctor A doctor who manages a person’s health care over time. A primary care doctor is able to give a wide range of care, including prevention and treatment, can discuss cancer treatment choices, and can refer a patient to a specialist.
primary tumor The original tumor.
programmed cell death A type of cell death in which a series of molecular steps in a cell leads to its death. This is the body’s normal way of getting rid of unneeded or abnormal cells. The process of programmed cell death may be blocked in cancer cells. Also called apoptosis.
progression Increase in the size of a tumor or spread of cancer in the body.
progression-free survival (pruh-GREH-shun… ser-VY-vul) The length of time during and after treatment in which a patient is living with a disease that does not get worse. Progression-free survival may be used in a clinical study or trial to help find out how well a new treatment works.
progressive disease Cancer that is growing, spreading, or getting worse.
pulmonary (PUL-moh-nayr-ee) Having to do with the lungs.
pulmonary sulcus tumor (PUL-muh-NAYR-ee SUL-kuss TOO-mer) A type of lung cancer that begins in the upper part of a lung and spreads to nearby tissues such as the ribs and vertebrae. Most pulmonary sulcus tumors are non-small cell cancers. Also called Pancoast tumor.
pulmonologist (PUL-muh-NAH-loh-jist) A doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the lungs.