Glossary Terms

Image Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT)

IGRT is a new way of using scans during radiotherapy treatment. Doctors hope this way of giving treatment may help radiotherapy to work as well as possible and will reduce side effects.

Immune system

The body's main defence system against infection, disease and foreign substances.

Immunological

Anything that involves the body's natural defences or immunity against disease.

Immunophenotyping

A test that can identify specific cells by monitoring the reaction between different biological agents. This can help identify where in the body the cancerous cells came from.

In situ

Cancer at an early stage, which has not spread.

In situ

Cancer at an early stage, which has not spread.

Incontinence

The loss of control of the muscles which control the passing of urine or faeces.

Inherited predisposition

An increased risk of developing a particular disease due to genetic factors.

Inoperable

Refers to a cancer that cannot be removed by surgery, either because the cancer has spread or because removal might cause too much damage to normal tissue.

Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT)

IMRT uses technology to precisely “shape” an external radiation dose. The precision of the radiation beam delivers a higher dose to the tumour and a lower dose to nearby normal tissue.

Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT)

IMRT uses technology to precisely “shape” an external radiation dose. The precision of the radiation beam delivers a higher dose to the tumour and a lower dose to nearby normal tissue.

Invasive cancer

A stage of cancer in which cancer cells have spread to healthy tissue adjacent to the tumour.

Invasive diagnostic tests or procedures

There are “non-invasive” and “invasive” diagnostic tests and procedures. Non-invasive tests don’t involve inserting needles, instruments or fluids into the body (e.g. CT scan). Some examples of invasive procedures include: § a simple needle prick for a blood test; § inserting a scope to have a look at the tissues (e.g. bronchoscopy); § taking a tissue sample for a biopsy; and § and major surgery (e.g. mastectomy).

Ionising radiation

A type of radiation made or given off by X-ray procedures, radioactive substances and other sources. At high doses ionizing radiation increases chemical activity inside cells and can lead to health risks, including cancer.

Isotope scan

An imaging technique involving the injection of a very weak radioactive substance, which collects in a particular organ for a short time. A special camera is then be used to look at the organ.