Glossary of Cancer Terms

There is a range of common cancer terms used throughout the patient journey, this journey being an individual’s experience of cancer from cancer screening and detection, diagnosis and treatment to recovery or ‘living with cancer’ through to palliative care. While this terminology may be common everyday language to health professionals, it can be difficult to comprehend for patients, families and carers who may be unfamiliar with medical terms.

To help you understand the terminology used by doctors and health care workers, visit the glossary sites below for descriptions of commonly used cancer terms:

For disease and treatment related terms:

• Cancer Council New South Wales A-Z Glossary of Cancer Terms

• Cancer Australia - Cancer Types & Issues
  

For network related terminology:
(e.g. Clinical Pathway, Care Coordinator, Multidisciplinary Care etc.)

• Cancer Australia – CanNET Glossary