A B C D E F G H I L M N O P R S T U V W

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Imaging study that uses a magnetic field and a computer to create detailed pictures of the body.

Malignant: When applied to tumours means that the tumour has the ability to spread to other parts of the body and so threaten the patient's life. However, the term does not imply that the tumour has, or will, spread, merely that it is capable of spreading. Some tumours classed as malignant, e.g. basal cell cancer of the skin, only very rarely spread to other parts of the body, so this event is not usually considered when planning treatment. Other malignant tumours may spread more frequently.

Margin: The edge or border of the tissue removed in cancer surgery. The margin is “negative” or clean when the pathologist finds no cancer cells at the edge of the tissue, suggesting that all of the cancer has been removed. The margin is “positive” or involved when the pathologist finds cancer cells at edge of the tissue, suggesting that all of the cancer has not been removed.