Archives: Glossary

When a person does not receive immediate treatment, but instead has their health monitored regularly, with the option of future treatment if necessary. Also called active surveillance or watchful waiting. Surveillance testing: Ongoing monitoring using tests or screening to look for disease development, progression or recurrence over time. This is related to, but broader than, […]

Surgical removal of a portion of any part of the body. For example, tumours are often resected, meaning they have been surgically removed from the body.

Cancer that remains after treatment has been given.

Disease that does not respond to treatment. Also called treatment resistant disease.

When the signs and symptoms of the cancer reduce or disappear. A partial remission is when there has been a significant reduction in symptoms, but some cancer is still present. A complete remission is when there is no evidence of active cancer. This may not mean that the cancer is cured.

The predicted likely outcome of a person’s disease.

The return of a disease after a period of improvement (remission).

A team of health care professionals with different expertise who collaborate to discuss a patient’s physical and emotional needs and decide on treatment. An MDT may consist of oncologists, surgeons, pathologists, nurses, dietitians, physiotherapists, psychologists, social workers and more.

A doctor who has special training in diagnosing and treating cancer. Some oncologists specialise in a particular type of cancer treatment, this includes:

A specialist doctor who interprets the results of tests (such as blood tests and biopsies) and often diagnoses a disease.