Medical Glossary S

Salivary glands (SAL-i-vair-ee): Glands in the mouth that produce saliva.

Salpingo-oophorectomy (sal-PING-o-OO-for-EK-to-mee): Surgical removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries.

Sarcoma (sar-KO-ma): A malignant tumor that begins in connective and supportive tissue.

Scans: Pictures of organs in the body. Scans often used in diagnosing, staging, and monitoring patients include liver scans, bone scans, and computed tomography (CT) or computed axial tomography (CAT) scans. In liver scanning and bone scanning, radioactive substances that are injected into the bloodstream collect in these organs. A scanner that detects the radiation is used to create pictures. In CT scanning, an x-ray machine linked to a computer is used to produce detailed pictures of organs inside the body.

Schiller test (SHIL-er): A test in which iodine is applied to the cervix. The iodine colors healthy cells brown; abnormal cells remain unstained, usually appearing white or yellow.

Schwannoma (shwah-NO-ma): A type of benign brain tumor that begins in the Schwann cells, which produce the myelin that protects the acoustic nerve ­ the nerve of hearing.

Screening: Checking for disease when there are no symptoms.

Scrotum (SKRO-tum): The external pouch of skin that contains the testicles.

Sebum (SEE-bum): An oily substance produced by certain glands in the skin.

Seizures (SEE-zhurz): Convulsions; sudden, involuntary movements of the muscles.

Semen: The fluid that is released through the penis during orgasm. Semen is made up of sperm from the testicles and fluid from the prostate and other sex glands.

Seminal vesicles (SEM-in-al VES-i-kulz): Glands that help produce semen.

Seminoma (sem-in-O-ma): A type of testicular cancer that arises from sex cells, or germ cells, at a very early stage in their development.

Shunt: A catheter (tube) that carries cerebrospinal fluid from a ventricle in the brain to another area of the body.

Side effects: Problems that occur when treatment affects healthy cells. Common side effects of cancer treatment are fatigue, nausea, vomiting, decreased blood cell counts, hair loss, and mouth sores.

Sigmoidoscope (sig-MOY-da-skope): An instrument used to view the inside of the colon.

Sigmoidoscopy (sig-moid-OSS-ko-pee): A procedure in which the doctor looks inside the rectum and the lower part of the colon (sigmoid colon) through a lighted tube. The doctor may collect samples of tissue or cells for closer examination. Also called proctosigmoidoscopy.

Sinus cancer: Cancer of the paranasal sinus and nasal cavity is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the tissues of the paranasal sinuses or nasal cavity. Your paranasal sinuses are small hollow spaces around your nose. The sinuses are lined with cells that make mucus, which keeps the nose from drying out; the sinuses are also a space through which your voice can echo to make sounds when you talk or sing.

Skin cancer: Skin cancer is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the outer layers of your skin. The skin has two main layers and several kinds of cells. The top layer of skin is called the epidermis. It contains three kinds of cells: flat, scaly cells on the surface called squamous cells; round cells called basal cells; and cells called melanocytes, which give your skin its color.

Skin graft: Skin that is moved from one part of the body to another.

Small cell lung cancer: A type of lung cancer in which the cells are small and round. Also called oat cell lung cancer.

Small intestine: The part of the digestive tract that is located between the stomach and the large intestine.

Smoldering leukemia: See Preleukemia.

Soft tissue sarcoma: A sarcoma that begins in the muscle, fat, fibrous tissue, blood vessels, or other supporting tissue of the body.

Somatic cells: All the body cells except the reproductive cells.

Somatic mutations: See mutation.

Speech pathologist: A specialist who evaluates and treats people with communication and swallowing problems. Also called a speech therapist.

Speculum (SPEK-yoo-lum): An instrument used to widen the opening of the vagina so that the cervix is more easily visible.

Sperm banking: Freezing sperm before cancer treatment for use in the future. This procedure can allow men to father children after loss of fertility.

SPF (Sun protection factor): A scale for rating sunscreens. Sunscreens with an SPF of 15 or higher provide the best protection from the sun's harmful rays. SPF stands for sun protection factor.

Spinal tap: A test in which a fluid sample is removed from the spinal column with a thin needle. Also called a lumbar puncture.

Spleen: An organ that produces lymphocytes, filters the blood, stores blood cells, and destroys those that are aging. It is located on the left side of the abdomen near the stomach.

Splenectomy (splen-EK-toe-mee): An operation to remove the spleen.

Sputum (SPYOO-tum): Mucus from the lungs.

Squamous cells (SKWAY-mus): Flat cells that look like fish scales; they make up most of the epidermis, the outer layer of the skin.

Squamous intraepithelial lesion (SKWAY-mus in-tra-eh-pih-THEEL-ee-ul LEE-zhun): A general term for the abnormal growth of squamous cells on the surface of the cervix. The changes in the cells are described as low grade or high grade, depending on how much of the cervix is affected and how abnormal the cells are. Also called SIL.

Stage: The extent of a cancer, especially whether the disease has spread from the original site to other parts of the body.

Stem cells: The cells from which all blood cells develop.

Stereotaxis (stair-ee-o-TAK-sis): Use of a computer and scanning devices to create three- dimensional pictures. This method can be used to direct a biopsy, external radiation, or the insertion of radiation implants.

Sterile: The inability to produce children.

Steroids (STEH-roidz): Drugs used to relieve swelling and inflammation.

Stoma: An opening in the abdominal wall; also called an ostomy or urostomy.

Stool: The waste matter discharged in a bowel movement; feces.

Stool test: A test to check for hidden blood in the bowel movement.

Subglottis (SUB-glot-is): The lowest part of the larynx; the area from just below the vocal cords down to the top of the trachea.

Sun Protection Factor (SPF): A scale for rating sunscreens. Sunscreens with an SPF of 15 or higher provide the best protection from the sun's harmful rays.

Sunscreen: A substance that blocks the effect of the sun's harmful rays. Using lotions or creams that contain sunscreens can protect the skin from damage that may lead to cancer.

Supportive care: Treatment given to prevent, control, or relieve complications and side effects and to improve the patient's comfort and quality of life.

Supraglottis (SOOP-ra-GLOT-is): The upper part of the larynx, including the epiglottis; the area above the vocal cords.

Surgery: A procedure to remove or repair a part of the body or to find out if disease is present.

Systemic (sis-TEM-ik): Reaching and affecting cells all over the body.

Systemic therapy (sis-TEM-ik): Treatment that uses substances that travel through the bloodstream, reaching and affecting cancer cells all over the body.  Also known as Systemic Treatment.