Glossary

List of terms beginning with Ad

Adenocarcinoma: A cancer of glandular tissue. For example, an adenocarcinoma of the lung is a cancer of the mucus-secreting cells that line the airways.
Adenoma: A benign tumour formed from glandular structures in epithelial tissue.
Adenomatus polyp: A benign growth in the bowel, which may later develop into cancer.
Adenomavirus: A group of viruses that cause respiratory tract and eye infections. Adenoviruses used in gene therapy are altered to carry a specific tumor-fighting gene.
Adhesion molecules: Molecules found at the cell surface, which help bind a cell to its neighbours or to the extracellular matrix. See also cell adhesion.
Adipose tissue: Body tissue used for the storage of fat.
Adjuvant therapy: A treatment given in addition to the main treatment (for example, chemotherapy as well as surgery) to try to prevent a cancer from coming back.
Adrenal gland: Small glands near the kidneys that make the hormone adrenaline.
Adult T-cell leukaemia: A rare, rapidly progressing form of leukaemia caused by a virus called human T-cell leukemia virus.