Medical Glossary L

Laparoscopy (lap-a-ROS-ko-pee): A surgical procedure in which a lighted instrument shaped like a thin tube is inserted through a small incision in the abdomen. The doctor can look through the instrument and see inside the abdomen.

Laparotomy (lap-a-ROT-o-mee): An operation that allows the doctor to inspect the organs in the abdomen.

Large cell carcinomas: A group of lung cancers in which the cells are large and look abnormal.

Laryngeal (lair-IN-jee-al): Having to do with the larynx.

Laryngectomee (lair-in-JEK-toe-mee): A person who has had his or her voice box removed.

Laryngectomy (lair-in-JEK-toe-mee): An operation to remove all or part of the larynx.

Laryngoscope (lair-IN-jo-skope): A flexible lighted tube used to examine the larynx.

Laryngoscopy (lair-in-GOS-ko-pee): Examination of the larynx with a mirror (indirect laryngoscopy) or with a laryngoscope (direct laryngoscopy).

Larynx (LAIR-inks): An organ in the throat used in breathing, swallowing, and talking. It is made of cartilage and is line by a mucous membrane similar to the lining of the mouth. Also called the "voice box."

Larynx cancer: Cancer of the larynx (or voice box) is a disease in which cancer (malignant)cells are found in the tissues of the larynx. Your larynx is a short passageway shaped like a triangle that is just below your pharynx in your neck. The pharynx is a hollow tube about 5 inches long that starts behind the nose and goes down to the neck to become part of the tube that goes to the stomach (the esophagus).

Laser (LAY-zer): A powerful beam of light used in some types of surgery to cut or destroy tissue.

Leiomyosarcoma: Leiomyosarcoma is a tumor of smooth muscle tissue. This cancer affects the uterus, lower abdomen, and extremities (hands and feet) most often.

Lesion (LEE-zhun): An area of abnormal tissue change.

Leukemia (loo-KEE-mee-a): Cancer of the blood cells.

• acute lymphoblastic: Acute lymphocytic leukemia (also called acute lymphoblastic leukemia or ALL) is a disease in which too many infection-fighting white blood cells called lymphocytes are found in the blood and bone marrow.
• acute myeloblastic: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the blood and bone marrow. Normally, the bone marrow makes cells called blasts that develop (mature) into several different types of blood cells that have specific jobs to do in the body. AML affects the blasts that are developing into white blood cells called granulocytes. In AML, the blasts do not mature and become too numerous.
• chronic myelogenous: Chronic myelogenous leukemia (also called CML or chronic granulocytic leukemia) is a disease in which too many white blood cells are made in the bone marrow. CML affects the blasts that are developing into white blood cells called granulocytes.

Leukocytes (LOO-ko-sites): Cells that help the body fight infections and other diseases. Also called white blood cells (WBCs).

Leukoplakia (loo-ko-PLAY-kee-a): A white spot or patch in the mouth

Li-Fraumeni Syndrome: A rare family predisposition to multiple cancers, caused by an alteration in the p53 tumor suppressor gene.

Ligation (lye-GAY-shun): The process of tying off blood vessels so that blood cannot flow to a part of the body or to a tumor.

Limb perfusion (per-FYOO-zhun): A chemotherapy technique that may be used when melanoma occurs on an arm or leg. The flow of blood to and from the limb is stopped for a while with a tourniquet, and anticancer drugs are put directly into the blood of the limb. This allows the patient to receive a high dose of drugs in the area where the melanoma occurred.

Liver: A large, glandular organ, located in the upper abdomen, that cleanses the blood and aids in digestion by secreting bile.

Liver cancer: Liver cancer is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells start to grow in the tissues of the liver. The liver is one of the largest organs in the body, filling the upper right side of the abdomen and protected by the rib cage.

Liver scan: An image of the liver created on a computer screen or on film. For a liver scan, a radioactive substance is injected into a vein and travels through the bloodstream. It collects in the liver, especially in abnormal areas, and can be detected by the scanner.

Lobe: A portion of the liver, lung, breast, or brain.

Lobectomy (lo-BEK-to-mee): The removal of a lobe.

Lobular carcinoma in situ (LOB-yoo-lar-sin-O-ma in SY-too): Abnormal cells in the lobules of the breast. This condition seldom becomes invasive cancer. However, having lobular carcinoma in situ is a sign that the woman has an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Also called LCIS.

Lobule (LOB-yule): A small lobe.

Local: Reaching and affecting only the cells in a specific area.

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

Lower GI series: A series of x-rays of the colon and rectum that is taken after the patient is given a barium enema. (Barium is a white, chalky substance that outlines the colon and rectum on the x-ray.)

Lubricant (LOO-brih-kant): An oily or slippery substance. A vaginal lubricant may be helpful for women who feel pain during intercourse because of vaginal dryness.

Lumbar puncture: The insertion of a needle into the lower part of the spinal column to collect cerebrospinal fluid or to give intrathecal chemotherapy. Also called a spinal tap.

Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist (LOO-tin-eye-zing...AG-o-nist): A substance that closely resembles LHRH, which controls the production of sex hormones. However, LHRH agonists affect the body differently than does LHRH. LHRH agonists keep the testicles from producing hormones.

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

Lymphangiogram (lim-FAN-jee-o-gram): An x-ray of the lymphatic system. A dye is injected to outline the lymphatic vessels and organs.

Lymphangiography (imf-an-jee-OG-ra-fee): X-ray study of lymph nodes and lymph vessels made visible by the injection of a special dye.

Lymphedema (LIMF-eh-DEE-ma): A condition in which excess fluid collects in tissue and causes swelling. It may occur in the arm or leg after lymph vessels or lymph nodes in the underarm or groin are removed.

Lymphoma: Cancer that arises in cells of the lymphatic system.

Lymphocytes (LIMF-o-sites): White blood cells that fight infection and disease.

Lymphocytic (lim-fo-SIT-ik): Referring to lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell.

Lymphoid (LIM-foyd): Referring to lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. Also refers to tissue in which lymphocytes develop.