AFP (alpha-fetoprotein)
biomarkerA protein measured in the blood, used in monitoring hepatocellular carcinoma.
WikipediaGlossary of terms
The terms used across the site, explained briefly and plainly. Wherever you meet an underlined term in the text, it brings you here.
Biomarkers & molecular targets
ALK
biomarkerA gene whose rearrangement drives uncontrolled growth, mainly in non-small cell lung cancer. Specific inhibitors exist.
WikipediaBRAF
biomarkerA gene that, when mutated, keeps the cell’s growth signal switched on. Seen in melanoma and in some lung and colorectal cancers.
WikipediaBRCA1 / BRCA2
biomarkerGenes that repair DNA damage. An inherited variant raises the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, and opens specific treatment options.
WikipediaCLDN18.2
biomarkerA protein expressed in a subset of stomach cancers and a target for newer treatments.
WikipediaEGFR
biomarkerA receptor that carries the signal to divide into the cell. Its alterations, common in lung cancer, are treated with oral targeted drugs.
WikipediaER / PR (hormone receptors)
biomarkerOestrogen and progesterone receptors. Their presence means the tumour is fuelled by hormones and responds to hormone therapy.
WikipediaFGFR2
biomarkerA receptor whose fusion appears in a subset of cholangiocarcinomas and is treated with specific inhibitors.
WikipediaHER2
biomarkerA protein on the cell surface which, when overexpressed, drives the tumour to divide. HER2-positive tumours are treated with specific targeted therapies.
WikipediaIDH1
biomarkerA mutated enzyme found in some bile duct and brain tumours, with targeted treatment available.
WikipediaKi-67
biomarkerA marker of how fast a tumour’s cells are dividing. Higher values indicate faster-growing disease.
WikipediaKRAS
biomarkerOne of the most frequently mutated genes in cancer. Targeted drugs now exist for some of its variants.
WikipediaMSI / dMMR
biomarkerMicrosatellite instability: a sign the tumour does not repair its DNA properly. Such tumours respond particularly well to immunotherapy and raise suspicion of Lynch syndrome.
WikipediaNTRK
biomarkerA rare gene fusion that can appear in many different organs and is treated with the same targeted drug regardless of origin.
WikipediaPALB2
biomarkerA gene that works with BRCA2 to repair DNA. Its variants raise the risk of breast and pancreatic cancer.
WikipediaPD-L1
biomarkerA molecule some tumours use to apply the brake on T cells. Its expression helps predict who will benefit from immunotherapy.
WikipediaROS1
biomarkerA rarer gene rearrangement in lung cancer, with targeted treatment available.
WikipediaTreatments
Adjuvant treatment
treatmentTreatment given after surgery, to address any cells that may remain.
WikipediaCAR-T
treatmentCell therapy in which the patient’s T cells are genetically modified to recognise the tumour, then returned to the body.
WikipediaChemotherapy
treatmentDrug treatment acting on rapidly dividing cells. Given in cycles, with recovery intervals between them.
WikipediaHormone therapy
treatmentTreatment that cuts off the hormonal fuel supply of hormone-sensitive tumours. Usually taken daily for several years.
WikipediaImmunotherapy
treatmentTreatment that does not attack the tumour directly, but releases the patient’s own immune system so it can recognise it.
WikipediaNeoadjuvant treatment
treatmentSystemic treatment given before surgery, to shrink the tumour and reveal how it responds.
WikipediaRadiotherapy
treatmentThe use of ionising radiation to destroy cancer cells in one specific area of the body.
WikipediaSupportive care
treatmentManaging symptoms and side effects — pain, nausea, nutrition, psychological support — alongside treatment rather than after it.
WikipediaTargeted therapy
treatmentDrugs designed to recognise one specific mechanism the tumour relies on. They only work when that target is present.
WikipediaDiagnosis & clinical terms
Biomarker
clinical termA measurable feature of the tumour or the body that guides diagnosis, prognosis or the choice of treatment.
WikipediaBiopsy
clinical termTaking a tissue sample for examination under the microscope. It is the test that establishes the diagnosis definitively.
WikipediaClinical trial
clinical termOrganised research evaluating a new treatment in patients, under a strict protocol and oversight.
WikipediaGermline variant
clinical termA genetic change present in every cell from birth and passed on — as opposed to alterations arising within the tumour itself.
WikipediaHPV
clinical termHuman papillomavirus. Responsible for almost all cervical cancers, and preventable by vaccination.
WikipediaImmunohistochemistry
clinical termA laboratory technique that detects specific proteins within the tumour tissue, such as hormone receptors or HER2.
WikipediaIn situ
clinical termA pre-invasive form: cancer cells that have not yet moved beyond the boundary of the tissue where they arose.
WikipediaLiquid biopsy
clinical termDetecting tumour DNA in the blood. Useful when tissue is insufficient or retesting is needed without another invasive biopsy.
WikipediaLynch syndrome
clinical termAn inherited syndrome raising the risk of colorectal, endometrial and other cancers. Detected through MSI/dMMR testing.
WikipediaMDT (multidisciplinary team)
clinical termA meeting where surgeon, radiation oncologist, pathologist, radiologist and oncologist decide on each case together.
WikipediaMetastasis
clinical termThe spread of cancer cells from the original organ to another part of the body.
WikipediaNGS (next-generation sequencing)
clinical termTechnology that reads dozens or hundreds of the tumour’s genes at once, especially useful when the obvious targets have been excluded.
WikipediaOverdiagnosis
clinical termFinding tumours that would never have caused harm in a lifetime, but which are treated because we cannot tell which ones they are.
WikipediaPET-CT
clinical termAn imaging test combining metabolic activity with anatomical detail, used mainly for staging.
WikipediaScreening
clinical termTesting people without symptoms, to find disease before it declares itself. Different from a diagnostic test.
WikipediaStaging
clinical termEstablishing how far the disease extends — tumour size, lymph node involvement, presence of metastases — which determines treatment strategy.
Wikipedia
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