Cancer Dictionary – R
radiation dermatitis (RAY-dee-AY-shun DER-muh-TY-tis) A skin condition that is a common side effect of radiation therapy. The affected skin becomes painful, red, itchy, and blistered.
radiation enteritis (RAY-dee-AY-shun EN-tuh-RY-tis) Inflammation of the small intestine caused by radiation therapy to the abdomen, pelvis, or rectum. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and cramping, frequent bowel movements, watery or bloody diarrhea, fatty stools, and weight loss. Some of these symptoms may continue for a long time.
radiation fibrosis (RAY-dee-AY-shun fy-BROH-sis) The formation of scar tissue as a result of radiation therapy.
radiation necrosis (RAY-dee-AY-shun neh-KROH-sis) The death of healthy tissue caused by radiation therapy. Radiation necrosis is a side effect of radiation therapy given to kill cancer cells, and can occur after cancer treatment has ended.
radiation nurse A health professional who specializes in caring for people who are receiving radiation therapy.
radiation oncologist (RAY-dee-AY-shun on-KAH-loh-jist) A doctor who specializes in using radiation to treat cancer.
radiation physicist A person who makes sure that the radiation machine delivers the right amount of radiation to the correct site in the body. The physicist works with the radiation oncologist to choose the treatment schedule and dose that has the best chance of killing the most cancer cells.
radiation surgery (RAY-dee-AY-shun SER-juh-ree) A type of external radiation therapy that uses special equipment to position the patient and precisely give a single large dose of radiation to a tumor. It is used to treat brain tumors and other brain disorders that cannot be treated by regular surgery. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Also called stereotaxic radiosurgery, stereotactic radiosurgery, and radiosurgery.
radiation therapist A health professional who gives radiation treatment.
radiation therapy (RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee) The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, protons, and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external-beam radiation therapy), or it may come from radioactive material placed in the body near cancer cells (internal radiation therapy). Systemic radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance, such as a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody, that travels in the blood to tissues throughout the body. Also called radiotherapy and irradiation.
radiologic exam (RAY-dee-uh-LAH-jik ig-ZAM) A test that uses radiation or other imaging procedures to find signs of cancer or other abnormalities.
radiologist (RAY-dee-AH-loh-jist) A doctor who specializes in creating and interpreting pictures of areas inside the body. The pictures are produced with x-rays, sound waves, or other types of energy.
radiology (RAY-dee-AH-loh-jee) The use of radiation (such as x-rays) or other imaging technologies (such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging) to diagnose or treat disease.
remission A decrease in or disappearance of signs and symptoms of cancer. In partial remission, some, but not all, signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared. In complete remission, all signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared, although cancer still may be in the body.
remission induction therapy Initial treatment with anticancer drugs to decrease the signs or symptoms of cancer or make them disappear.
resectable (ree-SEK-tuh-bul) Able to be removed by surgery.
resected Removed by surgery.
resection (ree-SEK-shun) A procedure that uses surgery to remove tissue or part or all of an organ.
resectoscope (reh-SEK-toh-skope) A thin, tube-like instrument used to remove tissue from inside the body. A resectoscope has a light and lens for viewing. It also has a tool to remove tissue using an electrical current. It is inserted through the urethra to treat prostate disease in men and through the vagina and cervix to treat abnormal uterine bleeding in women.
respirator (RES-pih-RAY-ter) In medicine, a machine used to help a patient breathe. Also called ventilator.
respiratory syncytial virus (RES-pih-ruh-TOR-ee sin-SIH-shul VY-rus) RSV. A virus that causes respiratory infections with cold-like symptoms. Also called RSV.
respiratory therapist (RES-pih-ruh-TOR-ee THAYR-uh-pist) A health professional trained to evaluate and treat people who have breathing problems or other lung disorders.
respiratory therapy (RES-pih-ruh-TOR-ee THAYR-uh-pee) Exercises and treatments that help improve or restore lung function.