CTgyn key terms

A numbered classification (I through IV) assigned to a gynecologic cancer describing how far the tumor has spread, used worldwide to guide treatment choices and compare outcomes across institutions.

A staging system that separately records tumor size or depth (T), regional lymph node involvement (N), and distant metastasis (M), which is then grouped into an overall stage for cancer registries.

A shift in the distribution of assigned stages over time, often caused by improved imaging or pathology detecting small metastases, which can falsely improve survival statistics without any real change in disease behavior.

An apparent improvement in survival for all stage groups that occurs when more sensitive testing moves patients with better prognosis into a higher stage and those with worse prognosis into a lower stage.

The depth to which endometrial cancer has grown into the muscular wall of the uterus, commonly reported as a fraction of wall thickness, because deeper invasion raises stage and recurrence risk.

The presence of tumor cells inside small blood or lymphatic channels near the primary tumor, a poor prognostic finding reported by pathologists that increases the risk of nodal spread and recurrence.

A procedure in which dye or radiotracer is injected near a tumor to identify and remove the first draining lymph node or nodes, allowing accurate nodal assessment with fewer complications than full lymphadenectomy.

Surgical removal of regional lymph nodes, performed for staging or tumor clearance, which yields tissue for pathology but carries risks such as lymphedema and nerve injury.

An operation aimed at removing as much tumor as possible in advanced ovarian cancer, since the size of residual disease after surgery strongly predicts survival and guides further treatment.

A surgical outcome in which residual ovarian cancer after debulking is reduced to a small threshold, commonly no visible disease or nodules under one centimeter, which is associated with longer survival.

Drug treatment given before planned surgery to shrink a tumor, used in gynecologic cancers such as advanced ovarian cancer to make complete removal more feasible or to test tumor response.

Additional treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation given after primary surgery or radiation, intended to eliminate microscopic residual disease and reduce the chance of recurrence.

A form of radiation therapy in which a radioactive source is placed inside or very close to the tumor, delivering a high dose to the target while limiting dose to nearby healthy organs.

Radiation delivered from a machine outside the body, directed at a tumor and surrounding tissue, commonly used in gynecologic cancer for pelvic disease control and sometimes for palliation.

Concurrent delivery of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, used to make tumor cells more sensitive to radiation, especially in locally advanced cervical cancer.

The most common cervical cancer type, arising from squamous epithelium usually at the transformation zone and strongly linked to persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus.

A common sexually transmitted virus whose high-risk types cause nearly all cervical cancers and a subset of vulvar, vaginal, and anal cancers, and which is preventable through vaccination.

The area of the cervix where glandular columnar cells are replaced by squamous cells, making it the site where most precancerous and cancerous cervical lesions arise and where screening samples are taken.

A precancerous overgrowth of the uterine lining that can progress to endometrioid cancer, often associated with excess estrogen and abnormal uterine bleeding.

The most common type of uterine cancer, composed of glands resembling normal endometrium, typically hormone-sensitive and often arising in the setting of unopposed estrogen exposure.

An aggressive type of uterine or ovarian cancer with high-grade cells, often arising from fallopian tube or surface epithelium and frequently associated with early spread and TP53 mutations.

A protein marker measured in blood that is often elevated in ovarian cancer; it is useful for monitoring treatment response and detecting recurrence but is not specific enough for screening.

An imaging test using a probe inserted into the vagina to produce detailed pictures of the uterus, ovaries, and cervix, commonly used to evaluate abnormal bleeding or pelvic masses.

A procedure in which a small sample of uterine lining is removed for microscopic examination, the standard first test for evaluating abnormal uterine bleeding and suspected endometrial cancer.

Examination of the cervix and vagina with a magnifying instrument after applying a dilute acid solution, used to visualize abnormal areas and guide biopsy after an abnormal screening result.

Surgical removal of a cone-shaped piece of the cervix for diagnosis or treatment of precancerous lesions, which provides tissue for pathology and can affect future pregnancy outcomes.

A small gland on each side of the vaginal opening that secretes lubricating fluid; its duct can become blocked, forming a cyst or abscess that may need drainage.

The external female genital structures, including the labia, clitoris, and vestibule, which can be sites of infection, precancer, and cancer such as squamous cell carcinoma.

A narrow tube that carries the egg from the ovary to the uterus and is the usual site of fertilization; its fimbrial end is now recognized as a common origin of ovarian-type serous cancer.

Surgical removal of one or both ovaries, performed for cancer treatment, risk reduction, or other conditions, and which may be combined with removal of the fallopian tubes.

Inherited changes in genes that normally repair DNA damage, greatly raising lifetime risk of breast and ovarian cancer and prompting consideration of risk-reducing surgery and genetic counseling for relatives.

Preventive removal of fallopian tubes and ovaries in women at high inherited cancer risk, which lowers ovarian cancer incidence but induces surgical menopause and requires counseling about hormone therapy.

A cervical screening test in which cells collected from the cervix are examined microscopically for abnormalities, allowing detection and treatment of precancer before cancer develops.

The process by which a cancer registry identifies eligible patients from sources such as pathology reports, hospital lists, and treatment records, ensuring complete and timely reporting of cases.

The work of extracting and coding required information from medical records into a cancer registry, including diagnosis, stage, treatment, and follow-up, following standard data definitions and rules.

A systematic review of registry data comparing recorded information with source documents to verify completeness, accuracy, and consistency, with findings used to correct errors and improve processes.

A measure comparing the survival of people with a disease to the survival expected in similar people without the disease, used to estimate the excess mortality caused by the cancer itself.

The return of cancer after a period of improvement or absence following treatment, which may be local near the original site or distant, and is a key outcome tracked during follow-up.

Ongoing clinical contact after cancer treatment to detect recurrence, manage side effects, and support rehabilitation, with findings recorded in the registry to document outcomes and survival.

A patient's voluntary agreement to a test or treatment after receiving understandable information about its purpose, benefits, risks, and alternatives, documented before the procedure begins.