English for Oncology Nursing

"malignant"

Cancerous; capable of invading and destroying nearby tissue and spreading to other parts of the body.

"The biopsy confirmed the mass was malignant, requiring immediate oncology referral."

"benign"

Not cancerous; does not invade nearby tissues or spread to other body parts.

"The radiologist confirmed the lump was benign, offering the patient significant relief."

"staging"

The process of determining how far a cancer has spread, typically expressed as Stage I–IV.

"After staging, the team classified her breast cancer as Stage II, indicating regional involvement."

"metastasis"

The spread of cancer from its primary site to other areas of the body via blood or lymph.

"Imaging revealed metastasis to the liver, changing the treatment approach entirely."

"biopsy"

A procedure to remove a small sample of tissue for laboratory examination to confirm or rule out cancer.

"The nurse prepared the patient for a core-needle biopsy of the suspicious lymph node."

"tumor markers"

Substances, often proteins, produced by cancer cells or the body in response to cancer, measured in blood or tissue.

"Rising CA-125 tumor markers prompted further imaging to rule out recurrence."

"pathology report"

A document prepared by a pathologist describing the characteristics of a tissue sample examined under a microscope.

"The nurse reviewed the pathology report with the patient to explain the grade and margins."

"grade"

A measure of how abnormal cancer cells look compared to normal cells; higher grades indicate more aggressive cancers.

"The surgeon noted it was a Grade 3 tumor, indicating poorly differentiated, fast-growing cells."

"chemotherapy"

The use of drugs to destroy cancer cells, usually by stopping the cancer cells from growing and dividing.

"The nurse educated the patient about what to expect during his first chemotherapy infusion."

"radiation therapy"

The use of high-energy radiation to shrink tumors and kill cancer cells.

"Daily radiation therapy sessions were scheduled over six weeks to target the primary tumor."

"immunotherapy"

Treatment that uses the patient's own immune system to fight cancer.

"The oncologist explained that immunotherapy could be an option if chemotherapy failed."

"targeted therapy"

Drugs that target specific molecules involved in cancer cell growth, often with fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy.

"She was started on targeted therapy after genetic testing revealed a HER2-positive tumor."

"palliative care"

Specialized care focused on providing relief from symptoms and improving quality of life rather than curing the disease.

"The team referred the patient to palliative care to manage his pain and dyspnea."

"adjuvant therapy"

Additional cancer treatment given after the primary treatment to lower the risk of cancer returning.

"Adjuvant chemotherapy was recommended to reduce the chance of recurrence after surgery."

"neoadjuvant therapy"

Treatment given before the main treatment, typically to shrink a tumor before surgery.

"Neoadjuvant therapy successfully reduced the tumor size, making it operable."

"clinical trial"

A research study that tests a new treatment or procedure to determine if it is safe and effective.

"The nurse explained eligibility criteria before enrolling the patient in a Phase II clinical trial."

"neutropenia"

An abnormally low level of neutrophils, white blood cells that fight infection, often caused by chemotherapy.

"The nurse monitored the patient closely for signs of infection given her severe neutropenia."

"mucositis"

Inflammation and ulceration of the mucous membranes lining the digestive tract, a common side effect of chemotherapy and radiation.

"The patient developed painful oral mucositis, requiring a special mouth-care protocol."

"neuropathy"

Damage or dysfunction of nerves, often causing tingling, numbness, or pain in the hands and feet.

"The patient reported worsening peripheral neuropathy, so the nurse escalated the finding to the oncologist."

"alopecia"

Hair loss, a common side effect of certain chemotherapy agents.

"The nurse offered emotional support and information about wigs before alopecia began."

"extravasation"

The accidental leakage of intravenous chemotherapy drugs into surrounding tissue instead of the vein.

"The nurse noticed swelling at the IV site and stopped the infusion immediately to prevent extravasation damage."

"cachexia"

A complex metabolic syndrome associated with cancer, characterized by severe weight loss, muscle wasting, and fatigue.

"Nutritional support was initiated to address the patient's progressive cancer-related cachexia."

"myelosuppression"

Decreased production of blood cells by the bone marrow, a major side effect of chemotherapy.

"Myelosuppression required postponing the next chemotherapy cycle until counts recovered."

"antiemetic"

A drug that prevents or treats nausea and vomiting, commonly needed during chemotherapy.

"The nurse administered an antiemetic thirty minutes before the chemotherapy infusion began."

"informed consent"

The process by which a patient is given important information and agrees to a treatment or procedure.

"The nurse ensured the patient understood the risks before signing the informed consent form."

"prognosis"

The likely outcome or course of a disease; the chance of recovery or recurrence.

"The oncologist discussed the prognosis honestly while maintaining a focus on quality of life."

"advance directive"

A legal document in which a patient specifies their wishes for medical care if they become unable to communicate.

"The nurse initiated a conversation about advance directives during the patient's hospital admission."

"goals of care"

A discussion between clinicians and patients about what the patient hopes to achieve from treatment.

"The team held a goals-of-care meeting to align the treatment plan with the patient's wishes."

"breaking bad news"

The process of communicating a serious or life-altering diagnosis to a patient in a sensitive and structured way.

"The oncology nurse attended training on breaking bad news using the SPIKES protocol."

"teach-back method"

A communication technique where the nurse asks the patient to repeat information back in their own words to confirm understanding.

"Using the teach-back method, the nurse confirmed the patient could explain her medication schedule correctly."

"distress screening"

A routine process to identify emotional, physical, and social problems that may affect a cancer patient's wellbeing.

"Distress screening at each visit helped the nurse identify the patient's need for social work support."

"supportive counseling"

A form of psychological support aimed at helping patients cope with the emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis.

"The nurse referred the patient for supportive counseling after she expressed feelings of hopelessness."

"vesicant"

A chemotherapy agent capable of causing severe tissue damage, blistering, or necrosis if it leaks outside the vein.

"Because doxorubicin is a vesicant, the nurse double-checked IV patency before administration."

"central venous catheter"

A catheter placed into a large vein to allow repeated access for chemotherapy, blood draws, and IV fluids.

"The patient's central venous catheter was flushed and dressed according to the care protocol."

"port-a-cath"

An implanted venous access device placed under the skin to provide long-term IV access, commonly used for chemotherapy.

"The nurse accessed the port-a-cath using sterile technique before the chemotherapy session."

"premedication"

Drugs given before chemotherapy to prevent or reduce side effects such as allergic reactions, nausea, or hypersensitivity.

"Premedication with steroids and antihistamines was given to reduce the risk of infusion reactions."

"infusion reaction"

An adverse response to an intravenous drug that occurs during or shortly after administration.

"The nurse immediately slowed the drip rate when the patient reported flushing and chest tightness, signs of an infusion reaction."

"growth factor"

A biologic agent used to stimulate bone marrow to produce more white blood cells after chemotherapy.

"Filgrastim, a growth factor, was prescribed to reduce the duration of neutropenia."

"analgesia"

The relief of pain without the loss of consciousness; a critical component of oncology symptom management.

"The nurse titrated the opioid analgesia to achieve adequate pain control for the patient with bone metastases."

"drug protocol"

A standardized treatment plan specifying which drugs, doses, schedules, and routes are used for a specific cancer type.

"The nurse verified all orders against the approved drug protocol before preparing the infusion."

"anticipatory grief"

Grieving that occurs before an expected loss, such as a terminal diagnosis, experienced by patients and families.

"The social worker provided support for the family experiencing anticipatory grief after the prognosis was shared."

"hospice care"

A philosophy of care focused on comfort and quality of life for patients who are no longer seeking curative treatment.

"When curative options were exhausted, the patient was transitioned to hospice care at home."

"existential distress"

Profound suffering related to questions about meaning, purpose, and mortality, common in advanced cancer.

"The chaplain was consulted when the patient expressed existential distress about the end of life."

"caregiver burden"

The physical, emotional, and financial strain experienced by family members or friends who care for a cancer patient.

"The nurse assessed caregiver burden during the family meeting and arranged respite support services."

"dignity therapy"

A brief therapeutic intervention designed to reduce distress and enhance dignity in patients near the end of life.

"The palliative nurse offered dignity therapy, helping the patient create a meaningful life narrative."

"comfort measures"

Interventions aimed at maximizing patient comfort and minimizing suffering when curative treatment is no longer the goal.

"The care plan shifted to comfort measures only, focusing on pain control and symptom relief."

"legacy work"

Activities that help a dying patient create something meaningful to leave behind, such as letters or recordings for loved ones.

"The volunteer supported the patient with legacy work, recording messages for his grandchildren."

"bereavement support"

Services and counseling provided to family members after the death of a loved one to help them cope with grief.

"The oncology unit offered bereavement support groups for families six weeks after a patient's death."