Medical Terms You Need To Know
Many newly diagnosed are inundated with new acronyms that folks think they already know.
Courtesy Mike Greco
Frequently used acronyms in Head and Neck Cancer and what they stand for:
HNC- Head and neck cancer
SCC- Squamous cell carcinoma
ACC- Adenoid cystic carcinoma
MEC – Mucoepidermoid carcinoma
SNEC-Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma
NPC-Nasopharyngeal carcinoma
cSCC-Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
Tx-Treatment plan
NED-No evidence of disease
SBRT- Stereotactic body radiation therapy (Targeted radiation)
DX-Diagnosis or diagnosed
FNA-Fine needle aspiration
HPV-Human Papillomavirus
P16- Strain of HPV
BOT-Base of tongue
LO – Loved one
PRN – As needed (from the Latin, “pro re nata”-meds not scheduled)
EBV – Epstein-Barr Virus
NPO – Nothing by mouth (from the Latin, ‘Nil per so’)
VPI – Velopharyngeal insufficiency (insufficiency closing of the soft palate)
ORN – Osteoradionecrosis
LN – Lymph node
SCM- Sternocleidomastoid muscle
IMRT- Intensity modulated radiation therapy
PBT – Proton beam therapy
SP- Status post (refers to recent condition)often used in medical
HX- History of
CT or CAT scan – Computerized tomography scan .
IMPT- Intensity modulated proton therapy
TORS-TransOral Robotic surgery
PNI- Perineural Invasion
LVI- Linfovascular Invasion
MOHS – Micro-graphically oriented histographic surgery
MRND- Modified radical neck dissection
PET Scan- Positron emission tomography
MRI- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
ID- Immune Deficiency
MTD- Multidisciplinary Team
Rx- Prescription
PN- Peripheral neuropathy
RAD Onc- Radiology oncologist
CLT- Certified Lymphedema Therapist
MLD- Manual Lymphatic Drainage therapy
CMLDT or MLD-C- Certified Manual Lymphatic Drainage therapist.
LE- Lymphedema
ENT- Otolaryngologist (Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor)
PCP- Primary Care Physician
NG – Naso gastric
