Cancer Glossary: G

Glossary Terms: 1-10 | 11-20 | 21-25

galactocele :
a clogged milk duct; a cyst filled with milk. It may occur in the breast during breastfeeding.

Gardner's syndrome :
like FAP, Gardner's syndrome results in polyps that develop at a young age and often lead to cancer. It can also cause benign (not cancerous) tumors of the skin, soft connective tissue and bones.

gastroenterologist (gas-tro-en-ter-ol-o-jist) :
a doctor who specializes in diseases of the digestive (gastrointestinal) tract.

gastrointestinal stromal tumors :
tumors of the connective tissue in the wall of the small intestine, colon, and rectum.

gastrointestinal tract :
the digestive tract. It consists of those organs and structures that process and prepare food to be used for energy; for example, the stomach, small intestine and large intestine.

gene :
a segment of DNA that contains information on hereditary characteristics such as hair color, eye color, and height, as well as susceptibility to certain diseases.

gene therapy :
a new type of treatment in which defective genes are replaced with normal ones. The new genes are delivered into the cells by viruses or proteins.

genetic counseling :
the process of counseling people who may have a gene that makes them more likely to develop cancer. The purpose of the counseling is to explore what the genetic test results might mean, help them decide whether or not they wish to be tested, and to support them before and after the test.

genetic counselor :
a specially trained health professional who helps people as they consider genetic testing, as they adjust to the test results, and as they consider whatever screening and preventive measures are best for them.

Glossary Terms: 1-10 | 11-20 | 21-25