Cancer

Cancer terms

1. 1-methyl-d-tryptophan (… MEH-thul-d-TRIP-toh-fan) A substance being studied in the treatment of melanoma and many other types of cancer.
2. 10-propargyl-10-deazaaminopterin A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called folate analogs.
3. 11C topotecan (... toh-poh-TEE-kan) A substance being studied in the treatment of certain types of cancer, including ovarian cancer and lung cancer.
4. 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (12-oh-TEH-truh-DEK-uh-noyl-FOR-bol-13- A-suh-TAYT) A substance being studied in the treatment of hematologic cancers. It is a type of phorbol ester.
5. 126-F A liquid that has been promoted as a treatment for a wide range of diseases, including cancer.
6. 13-cis retinoic acid (... REH-tih-NOH-ik A-sid) A drug that is used in the treatment of acne and psoriasis and is being studied in cancer prevention. It is a type of retinoid.
7. 131I-MIBG A radioactive substance that is used in imaging tests, and is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of radiopharmaceutical.
8. 17-AAG A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is made from an antibiotic called geldanamycin.
9. 17-dimethylaminoethylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-dy-MEH-thul-uh-MEE-noh-EH-thul-uh-MEE-noh-17-dee-meh-THOK-see-gel-DAN-uh-MY-sin) 17-DMAG. A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer.
10. 17-N-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-N-A-lul-uh-MEE-noh-17-DEE-meh-THOK-sih-gel-DAN-uh-MY-sin) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer.
11. 18F-EF5 A substance that is being studied in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging to detect tumor hypoxia (a low level of oxygen in the tumor).
12. 18F-FLT A radioactive substance being studied in the diagnosis of cancer. 18F-FLT is injected into the blood and builds up in cells that are dividing, including…
13. 18F-fluoromisonidazole (…-FLOOR-oh-MY-soh-NID-uh-sole) A radioactive substance being studied as an imaging agent in head and neck cancers and other types of cancer.
14. 18F-MISO A radioactive substance being studied as an imaging agent in head and neck cancers and other types of cancer.
15. 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (... NOO-klee-er mag-NEH-tik REH-zoh-nants SPEK-troh-SKAH-pik IH-muh-jing) A noninvasive imaging method that provides information about cellular activity…
16. 2-methoxyestradiol 2ME2. A drug that prevents the formation of new blood vessels that tumors need in order to grow.
17. 2IT-BAD monoclonal antibody 170 (… MAH-noh-KLOH-nul AN-tih-BAH-dee …) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer.
18. 3'-deoxy-3'-(18F) fluorothymidine (… dee-OK-see … FLOOR-oh-THY-mih-DEEN) A radioactive substance being studied in the diagnosis of cancer.
19. 3-aminopyridine-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor. Also called 3-AP and Triapine.
20. 3-AP A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor.
21. 3-D A graphic display of depth, width, and height. Also called 3-dimensional.
22. 3-dimensional A graphic display of depth, width, and height. Also called 3-D.
23. 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3-dih-MEN-shuh-nul kun-FOR-mul RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee) A procedure that uses a computer to create a 3-dimensional picture of the tumor.
24. 3-dimensional radiation therapy (3-dih-MEN-shuh-nul RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee) A procedure that uses a computer to create a 3-dimensional picture of the tumor.
25. 3F8 A type of monoclonal antibody used in cancer detection or therapy. Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced substances that can locate and bind to…
26. 4-demethoxydaunorubicin (... DEE-meh-THOK-see-DAW-noh-ROO-bih-sin) A drug used in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of antitumor antibiotic. Also called idarubicin.
27. 4-hydroxytamoxifen A form of the drug tamoxifen that is made by the body after taking tamoxifen. It can also be made in the laboratory, and may help decrease breast density.
28. 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide A substance that is used in cancer research to cause tumors in laboratory animals.
29. 4-NQO A substance that is used in cancer research to cause tumors in laboratory animals.
30. 5-fluoro-2-deoxycytidine (5-FLOOR-oh-2-dee-OK-see-SY-tih-deen) A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
31. 5-FU A drug used in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of antimetabolite. Also called fluorouracil.
32. 5-HT3 receptor antagonist (…reh-SEP-ter an-TAG-uh-nist) A type of drug used to treat certain types of irritable bowel syndrome and relieve nausea and vomiting.
33. 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (,,, hy-DROK-see-IN-dole-uh-SEE-tik A-sid) 5HIAA. A breakdown product of serotonin that is excreted in the urine.
34. 5-hydroxytryptamine A hormone found in the brain, platelets, digestive tract, and pineal gland. It acts both as a neurotransmitter (a substance that nerves use to send…
35. 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 receptor antagonist (hy-DROK-see-TRIP-tuh-meen reh-SEP-ter an-TAG-uh-nist) A type of drug used to treat certain types of irritable bowel syndrome and relieve nausea and…
36. 506U78 A drug used to treat certain types of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL).
37. 5Q minus syndrome (...MY-nus SIN-drome) A rare disorder caused by loss of part of the long arm (Q arm) of human chromosome 5.
38. 5Q- syndrome (...SIN-drome) A rare disorder caused by loss of part of the long arm (Q arm) of human chromosome 5.
39. 6-hydroxymethylacylfulvene (6-hy-DROK-see-MEH-thul-AY-sel-FUL-veen) A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
40. 852A A substance being studied in the treatment of certain adult and childhood blood cancers and other types of cancer.
41. 9-cis retinoic acid (... REH-tih-NOH-ik A-sid) A substance being studied in the prevention of cancer. It is a type of retinoid.
42. 90Y-DOTA-biotin A compound that contains the radioisotope yttrium Y 90 linked to the chemical biotin.
43. A33 A type of monoclonal antibody used in cancer detection or therapy. Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced substances that can locate and bind to…
44. AAP An enzyme that is used as a biomarker to detect damage to the kidneys, and that may be used to help diagnose certain kidney disorders.
45. abarelix (a-ba-REL-iks) A drug used to reduce the amount of testosterone made in patients with advanced symptomatic prostate cancer for which no other treatment…
46. ABCD rating A staging system for prostate cancer that uses ABCD. "A" and "B" refer to cancer that is confined to the prostate.
47. abdomen (AB-doh-men) The area of the body that contains the pancreas, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and other organs.
48. abdominal Having to do with the abdomen, which is the part of the body between the chest and the hips that contains the pancreas, stomach, intestines, liver…
49. abdominal x-ray (ab-DAH-mih-nul EX-ray) An x-ray of the organs inside the abdomen. An x-ray is a type of radiation that can pass through the body and onto film, making…
50. abdominoperineal resection Surgery to remove the anus, the rectum, and part of the sigmoid colon through an incision made in the abdomen.
51. aberrant crypt foci (uh-BAYR-unt KRIPT FOH-sy) Clusters of abnormal tube-like glands in the lining of the colon and rectum.
52. ABI-007 A drug used to treat breast cancer that has spread or that has come back within 6 months after chemotherapy.
53. Ablation (a-BLAY-shun) In medicine, the removal or destruction of a body part or tissue or its function.
54. abnormal Not normal. An abnormal lesion or growth may be cancerous, premalignant (likely to become cancer), or benign.
55. abnormality (ab-nohr-MAL-uh-tee): A growth or area of tissue that is not normal. An abnormality may be cancer or likely to become cancer.
56. Abraxane (uh-BRAX-ayn) A drug used to treat breast cancer that has spread or that has come back within 6 months after chemotherapy.
57. abscess An enclosed collection of pus in tissues, organs, or confined spaces in the body. An abscess is a sign of infection and is usually swollen and inflamed.
58. Absorption (ub-SORP-shun) The process of taking nutrients from the digestive system into the blood so they can be used in the body.
59. ABT-263 A substance being studied in the treatment of lymphomas and other types of cancer. It blocks some of the enzymes that keep cancer cells from dying.
60. ABT-510 A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of angiogenesis inhibitor.
61. ABT-751 A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called sulfonamides.
62. ABT-888 A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. It blocks enzymes that repair DNA damage caused by cancer treatments such as radiation…
63. ABX-EGF A human monoclonal antibody that is being used to treat colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
64. ACAPHA (a-KAF-uh) A mixture of six herbs that has been used in China to prevent and treat diseases such as lung and esophageal cancers.
65. accelerated phase chronic myelogenous leukemia (ak-SEH-leh-ray-ted FAYZ KRAH-nik MY-eh-LAH-jeh-nus loo-KEE-mee-uh) A phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia in which the disease is progressing.
66. ACE inhibitor A drug that is used to lower blood pressure. An ACE inhibitor is a type of antihypertensive agent. Also called angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor.
67. acetaminophen A drug that reduces pain and fever (but not inflammation). It belongs to the family of drugs called analgesics.
68. acetylcysteine A drug usually used to reduce the thickness of mucus and ease its removal. It is also used to reverse the toxicity of high doses of acetaminophen.
69. ACF Clusters of abnormal tube-like glands in the lining of the colon and rectum. ACF form before colorectal polyps and are one of the earliest changes that…
70. achlorhydria (a-klor-HY-dree-a) A lack of hydrochloric acid in the digestive juices in the stomach. Hydrochloric acid helps digest food.
71. Acini (as ih' nie) the grape-like structure in the lobules of the breasts that produce milk.
72. acitretin A substance that is used in the prevention of cancer and in the treatment of psoriasis. It belongs to the family of drugs called retinoids.
73. ACN53 A substance that has been studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. ACN53 is a weakened adenovirus that carries the p53 gene into tumor cells…
74. acne A disorder of the skin in which oil glands and hair glands become inflamed.
75. acoustic (ah-KOOS-tik) Having to do with sound or hearing.
76. acoustic neurofibromatosis (a-KOOS-tik NOOR-oh-fy-broh-muh-TOH-sis) A genetic condition in which tumors form on the nerves of the inner ear and cause loss of hearing and balance.
77. acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (uh-KWY-erd IH-myoo-noh-dih-FIH-shun-see SIN-drome) A disease caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
78. acridine carboxamide A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of topoisomerase inhibitor. Also called DACA.
79. acromegaly (A-kroh-MEH-guh-lee) A condition in which the pituitary gland makes too much growth hormone after normal growth of the skeleton is finished.
80. acrylonitrile (ak-ri-low-NYE-tril) A substance used to make plastics, rubber, and textiles. Being exposed to acrylonitrile may increase the risk of developing certain…
81. ACTH A hormone made in the pituitary gland. ACTH acts on the outer part of the adrenal gland to control its release of corticosteroid hormones.
82. Actimid (AK-tih-mid) A substance being studied in the treatment of prostate cancer, multiple myeloma, and other types of cancer.
83. Actinex A drug put on the skin to treat growths caused by sun exposure. A form of Actinex that is taken by mouth is being studied in the treatment of prostate…
84. actinic keratosis (ak-TIH-nik KAYR-uh-TOH-sis) A precancerous condition of thick, scaly patches of skin. Also called senile keratosis and solar keratosis.
85. action study In cancer prevention clinical trials, a study that focuses on finding out whether actions people take can prevent cancer.
86. Activase (AK-tih-VAYS) A form of tissue plasminogen activator that is made in the laboratory.
87. activate In biology, to stimulate a cell in a resting state to become active. This causes biochemical and functional changes in the activated cell.
88. active surveillance (AK-tiv ser-VAY-lents) Closely monitoring a patient's condition but withholding treatment until symptoms appear or change.
89. Activities of daily living To live independently, you must be able to handle certain essential functions, called activities of daily living (ADLs).
90. Actos A drug that is used to treat type 2 diabetes and is being studied in the prevention of head and neck cancer.
91. acupoint (AK-yoo-poynt) A specific spot on the body where an acupuncture needle may be inserted to control pain and other symptoms. Also called acupuncture point.
92. acupressure (AK-yoo-PREH-sher) The application of pressure or localized massage to specific sites on the body to control symptoms such as pain or nausea.
93. acupuncture (AK-yoo-PUNK-cher) The technique of inserting thin needles through the skin at specific points on the body to control pain and other symptoms.
94. acupuncture needle (AK-yoo-PUNK-cher NEE-dul) A stainless steel needle that is slightly thicker than a human hair.
95. acupuncture point (AK-yoo-PUNK-cher poynt) A specific spot on the body where an acupuncture needle may be inserted to control pain and other symptoms. Also called acupoint.
96. acupuncture point injection (AK-yoo-PUNK-cher poynt in-JEK-shun) A procedure in which drugs, vitamins, herbal extracts, or other fluids are injected into the body at an acupuncture…
97. acupuncturist (AK-yoo-PUNK-cheh-rist) A person trained in acupuncture (therapy that uses thin needles inserted through the skin at specific points on the body to…
98. acustimulation Mild electrical stimulation of acupuncture points to control symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.
99. Acute (uh-KYOOT) Symptoms or signs that begin and worsen quickly; not chronic.
100. acute leukemia (uh-KYOOT loo-KEE-mee-uh) A rapidly progressing cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of white…