Glossary

List of terms beginning with Ma

MALT (mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue) lymphoma: A tumour formed in the antibody producing cells found in the tissue.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Method that uses a magnetic field to produce pictures of the structures inside the body. Produces better images of organs and soft tissues than other scanning technologies such as X-rays. Particularly useful for imaging the brain and spine, as well as the soft tissues of joints and the interior structure of bones.
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy: Similar to conventional MRI. Measures the levels of substances within the brain.
Malarial parasite: Organism that causes malaria by infecting the host in which it lives.
Malignant: Describes a tumour that has spread to and grows in other parts of the body. The opposite is benign.
Malignant melanoma: Skin cancer of melanocytes.
Mammogram: Image of breast tissue obtained using X-ray to diagnose and locate tumours of the breast.
Mammographic density: Density of the tissue of the breast. Women with denser breast tissue are at higher risk of developing breast cancer.
Mastectomy: Surgery to remove a breast.