Glossary

Term

Definition

adenine

One of 4 bases that make up DNA

adenoma

A non-cancerous tumor

adjuvant

Treatment in addition to the primary treatment meant to lower the risk that the cancer will return (for example, adjuvant chemotherapy is chemotherapy that is given secondary to the main treatment, such as surgery)

adrenal glands

Endocrine glands located on top of each kidney that produce hormones that help regulate the body

allele

One of two or more variations of a gene

androgens

Set of hormones often referred to as "male hormones"

apoptosis

Programmed celll death in which a cell initiates its own death for the benefit of the organism

autosomal dominant

A case in which only one gene is required for a trait to be expressed

carcinoma

A cancerous tumor

carrier

A person who carries one copy of a mutated gene that may cause disease in that person and his or her children

cells

Cells are the basic units of life - in people, cells make up all the tissues that in turn make a whole person. Cells come in many shapes and sizes and have different functions.

cell cycle

The entire process a cell undergoes to grow, replicate DNA, and copy itself

chemotherapy

A treatment using drugs that kill cancer cells

chromosome

Structures found in all cells that together contain all of our DNA

complete penetrance

An inherited trait that is expressed in all generations - all individuals who have a copy of the gene will express the trait

Conn Syndrome

Characterized by a hormone excess of a group of hormones called mineralcorticoids

Cushing Syndrome

Characterized by a hormone excess of a group of hormones called glucocorticoids

cytosine

One of 4 bases that make up DNA

de novo mutations

Mutations that occur for the first time; refers to the first time cancer occurs in germ cells (egg or sperm)

DNA

The molecules inside cells that carry genetic information and pass it from one generation to the next, stands for deoxyribonucleic acid

DNA bases

The chemical compounds that make up DNA; they are adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine

dominant

The more strongly expressed gene in a gene pair

epidemiology

The study of disease patterns across time, including causes and control of disease

feminization

Characterized by a hormone excess of a group of hormones called estrogens, or "female hormones"

founder effect

The phenomenon of continued inheritance from a common ancestor

genes

Sets of instructions made up of DNA that tell the body how to function and determine a person's characteristics

genetic counselor

A specially trained health professional who is knowledgeable about inheritance and genetics and can discuss family disease history and risk, as well as pros and cons of genetic testing

genetics

The study of genes and their role in inheritance

genotype

The exact genetic make-up for a trait - the two genes inherited from parents for any given trait

germ cells

Sex cells (female egg and male sperm cells)

geermline mutations

Mutations that occur in the sex cells (egg or sperm) - they can be spontaneous or inherited - germline mutations exist in all of a person's cells

guanine

One of 4 bases that make up DNA

hereditary cancer syndrome

A genetic tendency to develop tumors, especially at younger ages than is usual

hormonal syndrome

A syndrome that leads to abnormal increases or decreases in a hormone

incidence

The number of new cases of a disease diagnosed over a specific amount of time

incomplete / low penetrance

An inherited trait that is expressed across generations but is not necessarily expressed by all individuals who carry the gene

inheritance

The process by which living things acquire traits and characteristics from their parents