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Advanced directives: Legal documents that state an individual’s preferences to select the aggressiveness of supportive care in life-threatening illness.
Alopecia: Hair loss.
Alternative therapy: Treatment used in lieu of standard medical therapies.
Anemia: Low red blood cell count; may cause tiredness, weakness, and shortness of breath.
Animal models: Laboratory animals that have diseases similar to those in humans.
Anti-angiogenesis: Property of a drug or other treatment that prevents the formation of new blood vessels.
Anti-emetic: Drugs that prevent nausea and vomiting.
Astrocytes: One of the major types of glial cells of the nervous system.
Astrocytoma: A glioma which has developed from astrocytes.
Benign: Not cancerous; not life-threatening.
Bioavailability: Chemical property of a drug describing its absorption through the gastrointestinal tract when taken orally.
Biopsy: Surgical removal of a small piece of tissue or a tumor for microscopic examination.
Blood-brain barrier: Tightly joined cells in the blood vessels of the brain that prevent the ready diffusion of substances into the brain tissue.
Bone marrow reserve: Term used by oncologists to describe the expectation of recovery of bone marrow cells following treatment with chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Boost: High dose of fractionated radiation.
Brachytherapy: Internal radiation therapy that involves placing radioactive material near or in the tumor.
Brain stem: That part of the CNS responsible for a number of "unconscious" activities, including breathing, heart rate, wakefulness and sleep.
Cancerous: Abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells in the body that may spread, injure areas of the body and lead to death.
Centigray (cGy): Unit of radiation, equal to one rad.
CNS (central nervous system): Pertaining to the brain and spinal cord.
Cerebellum: Part of the brain located at the back of the head, under the cerebrum and in front of the brain stem. Controls balance and coordination, affecting movements of the same side of the body.
Cerebrum: The largest area of the brain; divided into the right and left cerebral hemispheres.
Chemotherapy: The use of chemical agents (drugs) to treat cancer
Choroid plexus: Two sponge-like tissues in the lateral ventricles that produce the spinal fluid.
Clinical trial: A research protocol that is designed to answer a question regarding a population of patients with disease or who are at risk for disease.
Cobalt: A radioactive isotope used in the treatment of cancer.
Complementary treatment: Treatment used in conjunction with standard treatment for disease.
Complete remission (CR): The complete resolution of all signs and symptoms of disease.
Conformal radiation therapy: Three dimensional radiation using images from CT and MRI to plan precise fields of radiation which may be contoured around structures such as the eyes or the brainstem.
Conventional radiation: The type of radiation therapy delivered by a linear accelerator, usually divided over several treatments.
Coronal: Planes which divide the brain into front (anterior) and back (posterior) and show best the deeper and more central areas of the brain.
Corpus callosum: A prominent nerve fiber bundle in the center of the brain connecting the cerebral hemispheres.
Cortex: The outer surface of the cerebral hemispheres; often called the gray matter.
Corticosteroid: A naturally occurring hormone produced by the adrenal cortex, or a synthetic hormone having similar properties; often used to treat edema (swelling) in leaky capillaries of the brain.
Cranial nerves: Nerves that arise from the base of the brain or the brainstem that provide sensory and motor function to the eyes, nose, ears, tongue, and face.
Craniotomy: A surgical "cutting" of an opening into the skull.
Computed Tomography (CT scan): Computerized series of x-rays that create a detailed cross-sectional image of the body.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): Blood clot forming in deep veins, often with impaired or sluggish blood flow.
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid): The genetic information in the cell nucleus, containing directions on cell growth, division, and function.
Dominant: Ruling or controlling. The cerebral hemisphere that controls speech formation is referred to as the dominant hemisphere.
Durable Power of Attorney for Medical Care (DPA): A legal document which allows a specific family member or other adult to legally make decisions for medical care if the patient becomes incapacitated.
Electroencephalogram (EEG): A recording of the electrical impulses of the brain using electrodes attached to the scalp.
Ependymal: One of the major types of glial cells, which line the surfaces of the ventricles of the brain and the center canal of the spinal cord.
Ependymoma: Tumor that has developed from abnormal ependymal cells.
Exclusion criteria: Characteristics specified in a clinical trial that render the patient ineligible for the study.
External beam radiation: The type of radiation therapy delivered by a linear accelerator.
Fields: The volume of tissue to be treated during radiation therapy.
Fissures: The deep folds that separate each cerebral hemisphere into lobes.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA): A federal institution charged with approving and regulating medications, foodstuff, and other products for human consumption.
Foramen magnum: A large hole at the base of the skull; it serves as the boundary between the brain stem and the spinal cord.
Fourth ventricle: One of the spinal fluid pathways in the midline of the brain, between the brainstem and the cerebellum.
Fraction: Single treatment of radiation.
Frontal lobe: The anterior (toward the face) area in the cerebral hemisphere involved in emotion, thought, reasoning, and behavior.
Functional MRI: An type of MRI that detects the changes in red blood cells and capillaries as they deliver oxygen to "functioning" parts of the brain.
Gamma Knife: Type of stereotactic radiation designed to deliver radiation from multiple cobalt sources, computer-focused to a small area or multiple small areas.
Generalized seizure: Seizure involving both hemispheres of the brain.
Glial: Supportive tissue of the brain, includes astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and ependymal cells. Unlike neurons they do not conduct electrical impulses and can reproduce.
Grade: Term used to describe the degree to which tumor tissue resembles normal tissue under the microscope.
Gray (Gy): Modern unit of radiation dosage.
Gross total resection: Removal of all visible portions of a tumor.
Hemisphere: One of the two halves of the cerebrum or the cerebellum.
High grade: Tumor that has a rapid growth rate; the cells may appear disorganized and distorted.
Image-guided surgery: see neuronavigation
Informed Consent: Process of explanation to the patient of all risks and complications of a procedure or treatment before it is done. Informed consents are signed by the patient, a parent of a minor child, or a legal representative.
Intermediate grade: Tumors that have features of aggressiveness and growth characteristics between low and high grade tumors.
Interstitial brachytherapy: Radiation therapy that is administered from the inside of the tumor cavity, with a source of radiation therapy such as radioactive iodine or iridium.
Intra-arterial administration: Injection into an artery that supplies blood to the tumor.
Intrathecal administration: The injection of a drug directly into the spinal fluid.
Intracavitary administration: The administration of a drug directly into the tumor cavity.
Intra-operative MRI: A "MRI guidance" system available in operating rooms designed to function with an MRI scanner.
Intra-operative radiation: A dose of radiation is given directly to the tumor site immediately after the surgery to remove the tumor.
Investigators: Physicians or other individuals who are involved with an experimental study or clinical trial.
Ionizing radiation: A form of energy that knocks electrons out of their normal orbits.
Lateral ventricles: The two elongated, curved openings in each cerebral hemisphere connecting with two slit-like openings in the center of the brain.
Leptomeningeal metastases: The spread of cancer cells through the spinal fluid, producing a coating around the brain or spinal cord.
Linear accelerator: A machine used in radiation therapy that is able to create man-made ionizing radiation in the form of x-rays to penetrate through tissue into a tumor.
Local radiation therapy: Radiation to a specific area, rather than to the entire brain.
Localizing: Symptoms suggesting that a specific area of the nervous system is involved; for example, speech disturbance, weakness of one side of the body, or loss of vision.
Low grade: Tumors that have few cells that are dividing at any one time, often resembling normal tissue.
Lumbar puncture: Method of obtaining a sampling of spinal fluid from the space between the lumbar vertebrae.
Lymphocytes: Type of white blood cell formed in lymphatic tissue such as lymph nodes, spleen, and bone marrow.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): A radiographic study based on the acquisition of anatomical information using resonance from atoms in a strong magnetic field.
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS): A study similar to conventional MRI that measures chemical compounds within the brain.
Malignant: Cancerous; cells that exhibit rapid, uncontrolled growth and can spread to other parts of the body.
Malignant transformation: The development of more destructive, invasive, or rapid growth in a previously benign or indolent tumor.
Margin: An area around the edge of a tumor visualized on brain scan, which may include scattered tumor cells.
Medical history: A detail accounting by the patient that helps a physician in determining the length and severity of an illness as well as previous personal and family health history.
Medical oncologist: A physician who performs comprehensive management of cancer patients throughout all phases of care; specializes in treating cancer with medicine.
Meningeal carcinomatosis: See Leptomeningeal metastases.
Meninges: Membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, consisting of the pia, arachnoid, and dura.
Metabolism: The normal physical and chemical changes within living tissue.
Metastasis: The spread of cancer from the initial cancer site to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system, the bloodstream, or the spinal fluid.
Metastatic cancer: Cancer that has spread outside of the organ or structure in which it arose to another area of the body.
Mini-mental status examination: A brief verbal and written examination that tests orientation, memory, calculation, language, and figure drawing on a 30 point scale.
Monocytes: Type of white blood cell normally found in lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow and within tissue.
Negative margin: A phrase used when normal tissue is found at the edge of the biopsy sample.
Neurological deficit: Partial or complete loss of muscle strength, sensation, or other brain functions; may be temporary or permanent.
Neurological examination: Part of the physical examination testing general intellectual function, speech, motor function, memory, sensation, reflexes and cranial nerve functions.
Neuronavigation: Pre-operative or intra-operative imaging information which allows the surgeon to view images in the operating room during surgery to localize normal brain structures and tumor.
Neuropathologist: Pathologist specializing in the diagnosis of diseases of the peripheral and central nervous system.
Neuropsychologist: Professionals who specialize in the effect of brain injury on behavior and cognition. They help identify ways to improve relearning and compensating for neurological functions that are impaired.
Neuron: Nerve cell that conducts electrical or chemical signals.
Neurosurgeon: Surgeon specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of disease of the central and peripheral nervous system, including the skull, spine and blood vessels.
Neutropenia: A lower than normal neutrophil count.
Neutrophil: Type of white blood cell.
Noncancerous: Tissue that is not malignant appearing; may be benign or normal.
Nondiagnostic: A tissue sample that does not contain adequate information for determining the presence or absence or disease.
Nonlocalizing: Symptoms not confined, limited, or contained to a specific area; may be attributed to other illnesses, depression or stress. Examples include fatigue, lack of concentration or nausea.
Occipital lobe: Area in the cerebral hemispheres that interpret visual images, as well as the meaning of written words.
Occupational therapy: Assists patients in normalizing activities of daily living such as bathing, brushing teeth, cutting meat, and dressing.
Off-label drug: A drug that is approved by the FDA for one type of treatment but may be prescribed for other conditions.
Oligodendrocytes: One of the major types of glial cells.
Oligodendroglioma: Abnormal oligodendrocytes that grow into a tumor.
Ommaya reservoir: A hollow, slightly dome-shaped, device that is attached to a catheter that is surgically implanted. Chemotherapy is administered by injecting into the reservoir and catheter.
Open biopsy: Procedure allowing a neurosurgeon to directly visualize the surface of the brain prior to removal of a piece of a tumor.
Parietal lobe: Area in the cerebral hemispheres that controls sensory and motor information.
Partial remission (PR): Shrinkage or partial disappearance of tumor, but with evidence that some of the tumor still exists.
Partial resection: Procedure which allows a neurosurgeon to directly visualize the surface of the brain prior to removal of some, but not all, of a tumor.
Partial seizure: Seizure involving only one area or lobe of the brain.
Pathologist: A physician trained to examine and evaluate cells, tissue, and organs for the presence of disease.
Pathology report: Summary of the gross (specimen visible to the naked eye) and microscopic analysis of tissue and/or fluid removed during surgery.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET): A nuclear medicine imaging test that detects differences in metabolism; often used to differentiate between healthy and abnormal tissue.
Pharmacokinetics: Study of how the body breaks down a drug after it is administered.
Phase I trial: Study of a small group of patients to determine the side effects of a new treatment, with escalating intensity of the treatment administered.
Phase II trial: Study of a group of similar patients to determine whether there is a statistical likelihood that a new treatment will be effective against a tumor.
Phase III trial: Compares two or more kinds of treatment in two or more similar groups of patients, with one group of patients receiving the standard, or control, therapy.
Physiatrist: Physician who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation and in prescribing the components of a rehabilitation program.
Physical therapy: Therapy aimed at recovery from weakness, loss of coordination, or limited endurance.
Pilot study: Small study designed to test an idea or treatment prior to a larger clinical trial; also called feasibility study.
Placebo: A medication ("sugar pill") or treatment that has no effect on the body that is often used in experimental studies to determine if the experimental medication/treatment has an effect.
Positive margin: A phrase used when cancer cells are found at the edge of the biopsy sample.
Preclinical study: Study that uses live animals or cell cultures to determine the effectiveness and toxicity of a treatment.
Primary brain tumor: Tumors that develop from mutations of normal cells that originate in the brain, the spinal cord or the meninges.
Prognosis: The long-term outlook for survival and recovery from a disease based upon the patient's current status and the anticipated effect of available treatments.
Proliferation index: A measurement of the growth and division rate of cells obtained from a biopsy specimen, using special stains.
Protocol: A research plan for how a therapy is given is given and to whom it is given.
Pulmonary embolus: Blood clot that travels through the veins and through the heart, eventually occluding one or more pulmonary arteries.
Radiation necrosis: An area of injured normal glial cells and blood vessels that may occur several months after radiation therapy.
Radiation oncologist: A physician who specializes in treating cancer with radiation.
Radiation physicist: A scientist trained to determine the dose and accuracy of radiation therapy equipment.
Radiation therapy: Treatment that uses high-dose x-rays or other high energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
Radiosensitivity: A tumor's susceptibility to growth inhibition or cell killing by radiation therapy.
Radiosignal: In MRI, the image produced by resonance of hydrogen atoms in a magnetic field during and after a radiofrequency pulse.
Radiosurgery: Type of radiation therapy that focuses energy to a small area of a tumor, usually less than 3 to 4 centimeters in diameter. It does not involve surgery.
Randomized trial: Clinical trial involving at least two subgroups of patients comparing two or more different therapies, with the therapy selected by random assignment rather than by the patient or investigator.
Recreational therapist: Assists patients to engage in leisure activities such as cooking, arts and crafts, and music therapy that can provide a cognitive component to the "work" of physical rehabilitation.
Rehabilitation counselor: Assesses the goals of the patient and his or her return to work and family life.
Remission: Complete or partial disappearance of the signs and symptoms of disease in response to treatment; the period during which disease is under control.
Resectable: Able to be surgically removed.
Resection: Surgical removal of a tumor; see also Gross Total Resection and Partial Resection.
Sagittal: An image divides the brain into left and right and is particularly good at showing tumors in the exact center of the brain.
Secondary malignancy: Cancer that develops as a result of previous cancer therapy.
Simulation: A practice treatment that allows the radiation team to determine exactly where the radiation treatment will be directed.
Speech therapist: Professionals who evaluate speech production, speech comprehension, and swallowing function.
Spinal tap: See lumbar puncture.
Status epilepticus: Repeated seizures or a seizure prolonged for at least 30 minutes.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS): A radiation therapy technique using a large number of narrow, precisely aimed, highly focused beams of ionizing radiation. Beams meet at a specific point being aimed from many directions. Usually only one treatment at high dose is planned.
Stereotactic biopsy: Removal of a small piece of the tumor using computer guidance, often with a thin needle placed through a tiny opening in the scalp and skull.
Stereotactic radiation: Type of radiation therapy that focuses energy to a small area of a tumor, usually less than 3 to 4 centimeters in diameter. It may be fractionated over several treatments.
Target volume: The three-dimensional portion of an organ or organs, identified from the patient's scans or X-rays, to receive radiation therapy treatments.
Temporal lobe: Area in the cerebral hemispheres that contain both the auditory and visual pathways and the interpretation of sounds and spoken language for long-term memory.
Third ventricle: A spinal fluid-filled space in the center of the brain in communication with the lateral ventricles.
Thrombocytopenia: Low platelet count.
Whole brain radiation therapy: Radiation therapy delivered to the entire intracranial contents.
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