CANCER LEGAL GLOSSARY

Laparoscope: A thin, lighted tube used to look at tissues and organs inside the abdomen. 

Laparoscopic: Assisted surgery- surgery done with the aid of a laparoscope (a thin, lighted tube). Tissue can be removed from the abdomen or chest through a small incision. 

Laparoscopy: The insertion of a thin, lighted tube (called a laparoscope) through the abdominal or chest wall to inspect the organs inside and remove tissue samples. 

Laparotomy: A surgical incision made in the wall of the abdomen. 

Large Cell Carcinomas: A group of lung cancers in which the cells are large and look abnormal when viewed under a microscope. 

Laryngectomy: An operation to remove all or part of the larynx (voice box.) 

Laryngoscope: A thin, lighted tube used to examine the larynx. 

Laryngoscopy: Examination of the larynx with a mirror (indirect laryngoscopy) or a laryngoscope. 

Larynx: The area of the throat containing the vocal cords and used for breathing, swallowing, and talking. 

Laser Therapy: The use of an intensely powerful beam of light to kill cancer cells. 

Lesion: A lump or abscess that may be caused by injury or disease, such as cancer.

Leukemia: Cancer of the blood. White blood cells may be produced in excessive amounts and are unable to work properly. 

Leukopenia: A name for a low number of white blood cells. 

Leydig Cell Tumors: A main type of stromal tumor of the testes. Develops from the cells that normally produce the male sex hormone, androgen. Leydig cell tumors rarely spread to other areas of the body, but when they do intensive chemotherapy is required. 

Lobe: A portion of an organ such as the liver, lung, breast, or brain. 

Lobectomy: The removal of a lobe. 

Lobular Carcinoma In Situ: A very early type of breast cancer that develops within the milk-producing glands (lobules) of the breast and does not penetrate through the walls of the lobules. Researchers think that most cases of lobular carcinoma in situ do not progress to invasive lobular cancer. However, having this type of cancer places a woman at increased risk or developing an invasive breast cancer later in life. For this reason, it's important for woman with lobular carcinoma in situ to have a physical examination three times a year and a yearly mammogram. 

Lobule: The glands in a woman's breasts that produce milk. 

Local Therapy: Treatment that affects cells in the tumor and the area close to it. 

Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure: LEEP; an electrical wire loop is used to slice off a thin round area of tissue. 

Lumpectomy: Surgery to remove the tumor and a small amount of normal tissue around it. 

Lymph Node: A rounded mass of lymphatic tissue that is surrounded by a capsule of connective tissue. Also known as a lymph gland. Lymph nodes are spread out along lymphatic vessels throughout the body and many contain lymphocytes, which filter the lymphatic fluid (lymph). 

Lymph: The almost colorless fluid that travels through the lymphatic system and carries cells that help fight infection and disease. Also called lymphatic fluid. 

Lymphangiogram: A test used to look at the lymph nodes.

Lymphangiography: An x-ray study of the lymphatic system. A dye is injected into a lymphatic vessel and travels throughout the lymphatic system. The dye outlines the lymphatic vessels and organs on the x-ray. 

Lymphatic System: The tissues and organs that produce, store, and carry white blood cells that fight infection and other diseases. This system includes the bone marrow, spleen, thymus, lymph nodes, and network of thin tubes that carry lymph and white blood cells. These tubes branch, like blood vessels, into all the tissues of the body. 

Lymphatic Tissue: A structure found within the lymphatic system that consists of lymphocytes within a network of fibers. 

Lymphedema: Swelling either from obstructed cancerous lymph nodes or from surgically removed lymph nodes. 

Lymphocytes: A type of white blood cell. Lymphocytes have a number of roles in the immune system, including the production of antibodies and other substances that fight infection and diseases. 

Lymphocytic: Referring to lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. 

Lymphoepithelioma: A type of cancer that begins in the tissues covering the nasopharynx (the upper part of the throat behind the nose). 

Lymphoma: A cancer of the lymphatic system. Doctors differentiate the different lymphomas by the type of cell that is involved in the makeup of the tumor. Treatments depend on the type of cell that is seen. 

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