A33A type of monoclonal antibody used in cancer detection or therapy. Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced substances that can locate and bind to…
AAPAn enzyme that is used as a biomarker to detect damage to the kidneys, and that may be used to help diagnose certain kidney disorders.
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…
ABCD ratingA staging system for prostate cancer that uses ABCD. "A" and "B" refer to cancer that is confined to the prostate.
abdomen(AB-doh-men) The area of the body that contains the pancreas, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and other organs.
abdominalHaving 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…
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…
abdominoperineal resectionSurgery to remove the anus, the rectum, and part of the sigmoid colon through an incision made in the abdomen.
aberrant crypt foci(uh-BAYR-unt KRIPT FOH-sy) Clusters of abnormal tube-like glands in the lining of the colon and rectum.
ABI-007A drug used to treat breast cancer that has spread or that has come back within 6 months after chemotherapy.
Ablation(a-BLAY-shun) In medicine, the removal or destruction of a body part or tissue or its function.
abnormalNot normal. An abnormal lesion or growth may be cancerous, premalignant (likely to become cancer), or benign.
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.
Abraxane(uh-BRAX-ayn) A drug used to treat breast cancer that has spread or that has come back within 6 months after chemotherapy.
abscessAn 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.
Absorption(ub-SORP-shun) The process of taking nutrients from the digestive system into the blood so they can be used in the body.
ABT-263A 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.
ABT-510A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of angiogenesis inhibitor.
ABT-751A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called sulfonamides.
ABT-888A 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…
ABX-EGFA human monoclonal antibody that is being used to treat colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
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.
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.
ACE inhibitorA drug that is used to lower blood pressure. An ACE inhibitor is a type of antihypertensive agent. Also called angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor.
acetaminophenA drug that reduces pain and fever (but not inflammation). It belongs to the family of drugs called analgesics.
acetylcysteineA 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.
ACFClusters 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…
achlorhydria(a-klor-HY-dree-a) A lack of hydrochloric acid in the digestive juices in the stomach. Hydrochloric acid helps digest food.
Acini(as ih' nie) the grape-like structure in the lobules of the breasts that produce milk.
acitretinA substance that is used in the prevention of cancer and in the treatment of psoriasis. It belongs to the family of drugs called retinoids.
ACN53A 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…
acneA disorder of the skin in which oil glands and hair glands become inflamed.
acoustic(ah-KOOS-tik) Having to do with sound or hearing.
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.
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome(uh-KWY-erd IH-myoo-noh-dih-FIH-shun-see SIN-drome) A disease caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
acridine carboxamideA substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of topoisomerase inhibitor. Also called DACA.
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.
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…
ACTHA hormone made in the pituitary gland. ACTH acts on the outer part of the adrenal gland to control its release of corticosteroid hormones.
Actimid(AK-tih-mid) A substance being studied in the treatment of prostate cancer, multiple myeloma, and other types of cancer.
ActinexA 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…
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.
action studyIn cancer prevention clinical trials, a study that focuses on finding out whether actions people take can prevent cancer.
Activase(AK-tih-VAYS) A form of tissue plasminogen activator that is made in the laboratory.
activateIn biology, to stimulate a cell in a resting state to become active. This causes biochemical and functional changes in the activated cell.
active surveillance(AK-tiv ser-VAY-lents) Closely monitoring a patient's condition but withholding treatment until symptoms appear or change.
Activities of daily livingTo live independently, you must be able to handle certain essential functions, called activities of daily living (ADLs).
ActosA drug that is used to treat type 2 diabetes and is being studied in the prevention of head and neck cancer.
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.
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.
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.
acupuncture needle(AK-yoo-PUNK-cher NEE-dul) A stainless steel needle that is slightly thicker than a human hair.
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.
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…
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…
acustimulationMild electrical stimulation of acupuncture points to control symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.
Acute(uh-KYOOT) Symptoms or signs that begin and worsen quickly; not chronic.
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…
acute lymphoblastic leukemia(uh-KYOOT LIM-foh-BLAS-tik loo-KEE-mee-uh) An aggressive (fast-growing) type of leukemia (blood cancer) in which too many lymphoblasts (immature white…
acute lymphocytic leukemia(uh-KYOOT LIM-foh-SIH-tik loo-KEE-mee-uh) An aggressive (fast-growing) type of leukemia (blood cancer) in which too many lymphoblasts (immature white…
acute myeloblastic leukemia(uh-KYOOT MY-eh-loh-BLAS-tik loo-KEE-mee-uh) A quickly progressing disease in which too many immature white blood cells (not lymphocytes) are found in the…
acute myelogenous leukemia(uh-KYOOT MY-eh-LAH-jeh-nus loo-KEE-mee-uh) A quickly progressing disease in which too many immature white blood cells (not lymphocytes) are found in the…
acute myeloid leukemia(uh-KYOOT MY-eh-loyd loo-KEE-mee-uh) A quickly progressing disease in which too many immature white blood cells (not lymphocytes) are found in the blood…
acute nonlymphocytic leukemia(uh-KYOOT non-lim-foh-SIH-tik loo-KEE-mee-uh) A quickly progressing disease in which too many immature white blood cells (not lymphocytes) are found in…
acute pain(uh-KYOOT payn) Pain that comes on quickly, can be severe, but lasts a relatively short time.
acute promyelocytic leukemia(uh-KYOOT PRO-MY-eh-loh-SIH-tik loo-KEE-mee-uh) An aggressive (fast-growing) type of acute myeloid leukemia in which there are too many immature…
acyclovirA substance used to prevent or treat cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex infections that may occur when the body is immunosuppressed.
AD 32A drug used to treat bladder cancer that does not respond to BCG (Bacillus Calmette Guerin). It is an anthracycline and is a type of antitumor antibiotic.
AdderallA combination of drugs used as a treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy (a sleep disorder).
AddictionUncontrollable craving, seeking, and use of a substance such as a drug or alcohol.
adenocarcinoma(A-den-oh-KAR-sih-NOH-muh) Cancer that begins in cells that line certain internal organs and that have gland-like (secretory) properties.
adenoid cystic carcinoma(A-deh-noyd SIS-tik KAR-sih-NOH-muh) A rare type of cancer that usually begins in the salivary glands.
adenoma(A-deh-NOH-muh) A noncancerous tumor that starts in gland-like cells of the epithelial tissue (thin layer of tissue that covers organs, glands, and other…
adenopathy(A-deh-NAH-puh-thee) Large or swollen lymph glands.
adenosine triphosphate(uh-DEH-nuh-seen try-FOS-fayt) A substance present in all living cells that provides energy for many metabolic processes and is involved in making RNA.
Adenosis(ad" eh no' sis) any disease of the glands.
adenosquamous carcinoma(A-den-oh-SKWAY-mus KAR-sih-NOH-muh) A type of cancer that contains two types of cells: squamous cells (thin, flat cells that line certain organs) and…
adenovirus(A-den-oh-VY-rus) A group of viruses that cause respiratory tract and eye infections.
ADI-PEG 20A substance being studied in the treatment of melanoma, liver cancer, and other types of cancer.
adjunct agent(A-junkt AY-jent) In cancer therapy, a drug or substance used in addition to the primary therapy.
adjunct therapy(A-junkt THAYR-uh-pee) Another treatment used together with the primary treatment. Its purpose is to assist the primary treatment.
adjunctive therapy(A-junk-tiv THAYR-uh-pee) Another treatment used together with the primary treatment. Its purpose is to assist the primary treatment.
adjustment disorder(uh-JUST-ment dis-OR-der) A condition in which a person responds to a stressful event (such as an illness, job loss, or divorce) with extreme emotions and…
Adjuvant(ad'-joo vunt) therapy is cancer treatment given after the primary tumor has been removed by some other method.
adjuvant therapy(A-joo-vant THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment given after the primary treatment to increase the chances of a cure.
ADLActivities of daily living. The tasks of everyday life. Basic ADLs include eating, dressing, getting into or out of a bed or chair, taking a bath or…
administration(ad-MIH-nih-STRAY-shun) In medicine, the act of giving a treatment, such as a drug, to a patient.
adnexal mass(ad-NEK-sulâ¦) A lump in tissue near the uterus, usually in the ovary or fallopian tube.
Adrenal androgrens((uh-dree'-nul an'-dro-junz) steroids synthesized by the adrenal cortex that promote masculinization.
adrenal cancer(uh-DREE-nul KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in the tissues of the adrenal glands (two glands located just above the kidneys).
adrenal cortex(uh-DREE-nul KOR-tex) The outer part of the adrenal gland (a small organ on top of each kidney).
adrenal gland(uh-DREE-nul...) A small gland that makes steroid hormones, adrenaline, and noradrenaline.
adrenal medulla(uh-DREE-nul meh-DOO-luh) The inner part of the adrenal gland (a small organ on top of each kidney).
adrenalectomy(uh-DREE-nul-EK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove one or both adrenal glands (a small organ on top of each kidney).
adrenalineA hormone and neurotransmitter. Also called epinephrine.
adrenocortical(uh-DREE-noh-KOR-tih-kol) Having to do with or made by the outer layer of the adrenal gland, which produces steroid hormones.
adrenocortical cancer(uh-DREE-noh-KOR-tih-kol KAN-ser) A rare cancer that forms in the outer layer of tissue of the adrenal gland (a small organ on top of each kidney that…
adrenocortical carcinoma(uh-DREE-noh-KOR-tih-kol KAR-sih-NOH-muh) A rare cancer that forms in the outer layer of tissue of the adrenal gland (a small organ on top of each kidney…
adrenocorticotropic hormone(uh-DREE-noh-KOR-tih-koh-TROH-pik HOR-mone) A hormone made in the pituitary gland.
Adriamycin PFS(AY-dree-uh-MY-sin â¦) A drug that is used to treat many types of cancer and is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.