28. Oncology PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH IN USE FOR MEDICINE

28. Oncology

A	Neoplasms A neoplasm is an abnormal new growth of tissue. Malignant neoplasms – cancers – are likely to spread and cause serious illness or death. Benign neoplasms do not spread and are less harmful. When speaking to patients, doctors generally say growth or tumour You have a small growth/ tumour in the bowel A lump or swelling is a collection of tissue or fluid which is visible or palpable – can be palpated or felt with the fingers. A lump may be due to a neoplasm, but there are other causes such as inflammation or fluid accumulation. Patients say: I have a lump in my left breast Doctors say: There was a firm, palpable mass in the liver. Malignant tumours are characterized by rapid growth and invasiveness. The tumour may invade local tissues or may spread to distant parts of the body (metastasis). Neoplasms which are the result of metastasis are called secondaries, as opposed to the original tumour which is the primary. Note: To invade (verb) is to enter and spread throughout a part of the body, and this process is invasion (noun). If a tumour is described as invasive, it has the ability to spread.
B	Symptoms and signs of malignancy The symptoms of malignant disease may be related to the size and location of the tumour. For example, a space-occupying lesion in the brain causes raised intracranial pressure and symptoms such as headache, vomiting, or visual disturbance. Tumours of the colon may obstruct (block) the lumen and cause change in bowel habit. Other possible symptoms of malignancy include bleeding, pain, and weight loss.
C	Treatment of tumours A tumour can sometimes be completely removed or excised by surgery. If this is not possible, for example if it has already metastasized to other parts of the body, it may be possible to destroy it by radiotherapy or by chemotherapy. When a cure is not possible, palliative treatment is given, which is only intended to relieve symptoms.

EXERCISES

28.1	Complete the table with words from  A, B and C above and related forms.
28.2	The notes below are about the patient described in B above. Use them to put the sentences (1-9) in the correct order, to make the next paragraph of the case report. Use Appendix II on page XX if you need help with the abbreviation. 1 Examination of the central nervous system was normal. 2 His mouth and throat were normal. 3 There was a smooth, firm 3 X 4 cm mass in the right supraclavicular fossa. 4 His cardiovascular and respiratory systems were normal. 5 On abdominal examination, there was a mas of palpable 3 cm below the left costal margin. 6 On examination, his temperature was 37,8˚ C. 7 There were enlarged lymph nodes in both axillae and inguinal areas. 8 His pulse rate was 100/min regular and blood pressure 112/66.
28.3	Complete the sentences. Look at A, B and C above to help you. 1 Distant _________ of tumour cells is known as metastasis. 2 Many symptoms of cancer, such as difficulty swallowing, are due to _________.

Answer key