Medical terms in plain language

It is always appropriate to ask your doctor or specialist to explain any term in plain language. No question is too small. If something is not clear after this glossary, write it down and ask at your next appointment.

What do diagnosis and staging terms mean?

Terminal diagnosis A diagnosis of an illness that cannot be cured and is expected to lead to death. The timeframe varies enormously depending on the condition and the person. A terminal diagnosis does not mean there are no options or no time.

Prognosis The expected course and outcome of an illness. A prognosis is a medical estimate, not a certainty. Doctors give prognoses based on data from many patients with similar conditions. Your individual experience may be very different.

Staging A way of describing how advanced an illness is, usually using a scale from 1 to 4. Stage 1 typically means the disease is localised. Stage 4 typically means it has spread significantly. Not all conditions are staged the same way.

Metastasis The spread of disease from its original location to other parts of the body. When disease has spread, it is described as metastatic. This is sometimes called secondary disease.

Primary site The part of the body where a disease originally developed. If a disease has spread, the new locations are called secondary sites or metastases, but the disease is still identified by its primary origin.

Remission A reduction in or disappearance of signs and symptoms of disease. Partial remission means disease has reduced significantly. Complete remission means it is no longer detectable on scans or tests. Remission does not always mean the disease is gone permanently.

Recurrence The return of a disease after a period of remission. A local recurrence means it has returned in the same location. A distant recurrence means it has returned in a new location.

Biopsy A procedure where a small sample of tissue is removed and examined under a microscope to determine whether disease is present and what type it is. Biopsies are often how a diagnosis is confirmed.

Pathology The laboratory analysis of tissue, blood, or other samples. When your doctor says 'the pathology shows', they are referring to the results of this analysis.

Histology The microscopic examination of tissue. A histology report describes what type of cells are present and how abnormal they look, which helps determine diagnosis and treatment.

What do common treatment terms mean?

Chemotherapy Drug treatments that target rapidly dividing cells throughout the body. Often shortened to 'chemo'. Can be given orally (tablets) or intravenously (via a drip). Side effects vary depending on the drugs used.

Immunotherapy Treatment that uses or stimulates the body's own immune system to fight disease. Works differently to chemotherapy and can have different side effects. A relatively newer treatment approach with promising results for some conditions.

Targeted therapy Drugs that target specific genetic mutations, proteins, or pathways within diseased cells. These are more selective than standard chemotherapy and often have fewer side effects, but only work if your disease has the specific target.

Radiation therapy Also called radiotherapy. The use of high-energy radiation to target and destroy diseased cells or shrink tumours. Can be used to treat disease, prevent spread, or relieve symptoms such as pain. Delivered by a radiation oncologist.

Palliative treatment Treatment designed to improve comfort and quality of life rather than to cure. Palliative treatment includes managing pain, nausea, breathlessness, and other symptoms. It can be given alongside curative treatment and is not an endpoint.

Clinical trial A research study testing a new treatment, drug, or approach in real patients. Participation is voluntary. Trials can offer access to treatments not yet widely available. You can search for trials relevant to your diagnosis at australianclinicaltrials.gov.au.

First-line treatment The initial treatment given for a diagnosis, usually the most established or effective option. If first-line treatment stops working or is not tolerated, second-line (and then third-line) treatments may be offered.

Curative intent Treatment given with the goal of curing the disease. Not all treatment is curative; some is palliative (for comfort) or adjuvant (to reduce the risk of recurrence).

Adjuvant therapy Treatment given after primary treatment (such as surgery) to reduce the risk of the disease returning. For example, chemotherapy given after surgery to catch any remaining disease cells.

Hormone therapy Treatment that blocks or lowers the levels of certain hormones in the body, used when a disease is fuelled by those hormones. Also called endocrine therapy.

Infusion The administration of medication directly into the bloodstream, usually through a vein. Some treatments, including certain chemotherapy drugs and immunotherapy, are given by infusion at a day oncology unit or hospital.

Port or port-a-cath A small device implanted under the skin, usually in the chest, that provides easy access to a vein for repeated treatments, blood draws, or infusions. Avoids the need for a new needle each time.

What do common scan and test terms mean?

CT scan Computed tomography. An X-ray technique that produces detailed cross-sectional images of the inside of the body. Commonly used to diagnose disease, monitor treatment response, and check for spread.

MRI Magnetic resonance imaging. Uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of soft tissue. Particularly useful for the brain, spine, and organs. Does not use radiation.

PET scan Positron emission tomography. Uses a mildly radioactive substance to show metabolic activity in the body. Areas of high activity, such as rapidly growing disease, appear as bright spots. Often combined with a CT scan (PET-CT).

Ultrasound Uses sound waves to produce images of internal organs and tissues in real time. Non-invasive and radiation-free. Often used to examine the abdomen, liver, and other soft tissue areas.

Bone scan A nuclear imaging test that shows areas of increased bone activity, which can indicate disease that has spread to the bones. Uses a mildly radioactive tracer injected into the bloodstream.

Blood markers / tumour markers Substances measured in the blood that may be elevated in the presence of certain diseases. Used to monitor treatment response and detect recurrence, but are not always a reliable standalone indicator of disease activity.

What do palliative care and comfort terms mean?

Palliative care A specialised form of care focused on improving quality of life for people with serious illness. Involves managing symptoms, providing emotional and psychological support, and helping with practical and family needs. Can begin at any stage of a serious illness. Palliative Care Australia (palliativecare.org.au) has information on finding services in your area.

Hospice A specialist setting providing palliative care for people in the final stages of a serious illness. Can refer to a physical place (an inpatient hospice facility) or a philosophy of care (hospice-style care at home). Focuses on comfort rather than curative treatment.

Advance Care Directive A legal document that records your wishes about medical treatment if you become unable to communicate them yourself. Also called an advance care plan. Different formats apply in different Australian states and territories.

DNACPR Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. A medical order that records a decision not to attempt resuscitation if the heart or breathing stops. Made in consultation with the patient and medical team. Different to an Advance Care Directive but can be part of end-of-life planning.

Syringe driver A small device used in palliative care to deliver a continuous, controlled dose of medication under the skin. Often used when a person can no longer swallow tablets. Manages pain and other symptoms continuously.

Breakthrough medication Medication available for sudden increases in pain or other symptoms that occur between regular doses of medication. Sometimes called rescue medication.

Who are the different people in my care team?

GP (general practitioner) Your family or local doctor. The GP is the starting point for referrals and remains an important part of your care team throughout a serious illness. They coordinate care, manage prescriptions, and can help navigate the health system.

Specialist A doctor with advanced training in a specific field of medicine. After receiving a medical degree and junior doctor training, specialists complete several more years of specialty training and exams. FRACP after a name indicates Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

Registrar A doctor who has completed their basic medical degree and is in the process of completing specialist training. They work under a senior specialist (consultant) and often conduct much of the day-to-day care in hospitals.

Clinical nurse specialist A nurse with advanced training in a specific area of care. In specialist settings, clinical nurse specialists are often the most accessible and responsive member of your team for day-to-day questions.

MDT (multidisciplinary team) A group of specialists from different disciplines who meet to discuss complex cases together. May include medical specialists, surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, nurses, social workers, and allied health. MDT involvement is considered best practice for complex diagnoses.

Day oncology unit A hospital unit where patients receive treatments such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or infusions on an outpatient basis, going home the same day. Also called a day hospital or treatment centre.

What do common medical abbreviations stand for?

MDT Multidisciplinary team. A group of specialists from different fields who discuss your care together.

FRACP Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. A qualification indicating completion of specialist physician training.

FRACS Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. Indicates completion of specialist surgical training.

FANZCA Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists. Indicates specialist anaesthetist training.

ED Emergency department. The accident and emergency section of a hospital.

ICU Intensive care unit. A specialised hospital ward for patients who require close monitoring and intensive medical support.

OT Occupational therapist. A health professional who helps adapt daily life and home environment to changing needs.

SW Social worker. A professional who helps with practical support, navigating services, and emotional wellbeing.

GP General practitioner. Your family or local doctor.

ACD Advance Care Directive. A legal document recording treatment wishes for a time when you may be unable to communicate them yourself.

What should I do when I hear a term I don't understand?

It is always appropriate to stop a doctor mid-conversation and say: "I'm sorry, can you explain what that means in plain language?" No reputable specialist will think less of you for asking.

Other helpful phrases: "Can you write that down for me?", "Is there a patient information sheet I can take home?", "I'd like to look this up before our next appointment."

You can also ask a specialist nurse or your GP to explain terms after an appointment. They are often better at plain-language explanations than specialists who have been immersed in medical language for decades. Healthdirect (healthdirect.gov.au) is a reliable, government-funded source for plain-language health information if you want to look up a term before your next appointment.

Writing down unfamiliar terms as they come up, and looking them up later when you have more time and calm, is a legitimate strategy. You do not have to absorb everything in the room.