Castleman disease(KA-sel-man dih-ZEEZ) A rare disorder in which noncancerous growths develop in lymph node tissue.
castrationRemoval or destruction of the testicles or ovaries using radiation, surgery, or drugs.
CAT scanA series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body taken from different angles. The pictures are created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine.
CAT-8015A monoclonal antibody linked to a toxic substance. It is being studied in the treatment of some types of B-cell cancer. CAT-8015 is made in the laboratory.
cataract(KA-tuh-RAKT) A condition in which the lens of the eye becomes cloudy. Symptoms include blurred, cloudy, or double vision; sensitivity to light; and…
catechol(ka-tuh-KOL) A chemical originally isolated from a type of mimosa tree. Catechol is used as an astringent, an antiseptic, and in photography…
catecholamine(ka-tuh-KOH-luh-meen) A type of neurohormone (a chemical that is made by nerve cells and used to send signals to other cells).
Catheter(KA-theh-ter) A flexible tube used to deliver fluids into or withdraw fluids from the body.
cauterize(KAW-teh-RIZE) To destroy tissue using a hot or cold instrument, an electrical current, or a chemical that burns or dissolves the tissue.
cavity(KA-vih-tee) A hollow area or hole. It may describe a body cavity (such as the space within the abdomen) or a hole in a tooth caused by decay.
CBCA test to check the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in a sample of blood.
cBR96-doxorubicin immunoconjugate(... DOK-soh-ROO-bih-sin IH-myoo-noh-KON-juh-gayt) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer.
CC-1088A drug that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is similar but not identical to thalidomide.
CC-4047A substance being studied in the treatment of prostate cancer, multiple myeloma, and other types of cancer. CC-4047 is a form of the drug thalidomide.
CC-49A type of monoclonal antibody used in cancer detection or therapy. Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced substances that can locate and bind to…
CC-5013A drug that is similar to thalidomide, and is used to treat multiple myeloma and certain types of anemia.
CC-8490A substance that is being studied in the treatment of brain cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called benzopyrans.
CC49-streptavidinA substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is made by combining the monoclonal antibody CC49 with a chemical called streptavidin.
CCI-779A drug used to treat advanced renal cell carcinoma (a type of kidney cancer). It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.
cCLB8A chimeric (made from human and mouse proteins) monoclonal antibody being studied in the treatment of advanced kidney cancer and other types of cancer.
CD134A protein being studied in the treatment of cancer. Substances that attach to CD134 on the surface of T cells (a type of white blood cell) may help the T…
CD34 antigenA protein found on the surface of some bone marrow and blood cells.
CD40-ligandA substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It binds to certain immune cells and may suppress cancer growth.
CDDOA substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. CDDO may block enzymes involved in inflammation and cancer growth.
CDK inhibitor AT7519M(... in-HIH-bih-ter ...) A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
CEAA substance that is sometimes found in an increased amount in the blood of people who have certain cancers, other diseases, or who smoke.
CEA assayA laboratory test to measure carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), a substance that is sometimes found in an increased amount in the blood of people who have…
cecum(SEE-kum) A pouch that forms the first part of the large intestine. It connects the small intestine to the colon, which is part of the large intestine.
cedarwood(SEE-der-WOOD) A type of evergreen tree with hard fragrant wood that is a member of the cypress family.
cediranib(seh-DIR-uh-nib) A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
cefepimeA drug used to treat infection. It belongs to the family of drugs called cephalosporin antibiotics.
cefiximeAn antibiotic drug used to treat infection. It belongs to the family of drugs called cephalosporins.
ceftriaxoneA drug used to treat infection. It belongs to the family of drugs called cephalosporin antibiotics.
celecoxib(SEL-uh-KOK-sib) A drug that reduces pain. Celecoxib belongs to the family of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents.
CelexaA drug used to treat depression. It belongs to the families of drugs called antidepressant agents and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
celiac diseaseA digestive disease that is caused by an immune response to a protein called gluten, which is found in wheat, rye, barley, and oats.
cell (sel)The individual unit that makes up the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells.
Cell culture(SEL KUL-chur) The growth of microorganisms such as bacteria and yeast, or human, plant, or animal cells in the laboratory.
cell cycle(SEL SY-kul) The process a cell goes through each time it divides. The cell cycle consists of a series of steps during which the chromosomes and other…
cell differentiationThe process during which young, immature (unspecialized) cells take on individual characteristics and reach their mature (specialized) form and function.
CellCept(SEL-sept) A drug used to prevent graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after organ transplants.
cellular adhesion(SEL-yoo-ler ad-HEE-zhun) The close adherence (bonding) to adjoining cell surfaces.
cellular adoptive immunotherapy(SEL-yoo-ler uh-DOP-tiv IH-myoo-noh-THAYR-uh-pee) A treatment used to help the immune system fight cancer.
cellular metabolism(SEL-yoo-ler meh-TA-buh-lih-zum) The sum of all chemical changes that take place in a cell through which energy and basic components are provided for…
cellulitisAn acute, spreading infection of the deep tissues of the skin and muscle that causes the skin to become warm and tender and may also cause fever, chills…
Cellulose(SEL-yoo-lose) A building block of plant cells and fiber. Cellulose cannot be digested by people, and is used to add bulk to the diet.
centimeter(SEN-tih-MEE-ter) A measure of length in the metric system. There are 100 centimeters in a meter and 2ý centimeters in an inch.
Central Nervous System(SEN-trul NER-vus SIS-tem) The brain and spinal cord. Also called CNS.
central nervous system metastasis(SEN-trul NER-vus SIS-tem meh-TAS-tuh-sis) Cancer that has spread from the original (primary) tumor to the central nervous system (CNS).
central nervous system prophylaxis(SEN-trul NER-vus SIS-tem pro-fih-LAK-sis) Chemotherapy or radiation therapy given to the central nervous system (CNS) as a preventive treatment.
central nervous system sanctuary therapy(SEN-trul NER-vus SIS-tem SANK-choo-WAYR-ee THAYR-uh-pee) Chemotherapy or radiation therapy given to the central nervous system (CNS) as a preventive…
central nervous system tumor(SEN-trul NER-vus SIS-tem TOO-mer) A tumor of the central nervous system, including brain stem glioma, craniopharyngioma, medulloblastoma, and meningioma.
central venous access catheter(SEN-trul VEE-nus AK-ses KA-theh-ter) A tube surgically placed into a blood vessel for the purpose of giving intravenous fluid and drugs.
CEP-2563 dihydrochloride(... dy-HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
CEP-701A drug being studied in the treatment of acute leukemias and some other types of cancer.
cephalexinAn antibiotic drug that belongs to the family of drugs called cephalosporins.
cephalosporinA drug used to treat bacterial infections. It belongs to the family of drugs called antibiotics.
ceramideA type of fat produced in the body. It may cause some types of cells to die and is being studied in cancer treatment.
cerebellar hemangioblastoma(ser-eh-BEH-ler hee-MAN-jee-OH-blas-TOH-muh) A benign, slow-growing tumor in the cerebellum (part of the brain at the back of the head), made up of…
cerebellopontine(SER-uh-BEL-o-PON-teen) Having to do with two structures of the brain, the cerebellum (located at the lower back of the brain) and the pons (located at…
cerebellum(ser-uh-BEL-um) The portion of the brain in the back of the head between the cerebrum and the brain stem.
cerebral hemisphere(seh-REE-bral HEM-is-feer) One half of the cerebrum, the part of the brain that controls muscle functions and also controls speech, thought, emotions…
Cerebrospinal fluid(seh-REE-broh-SPY-nul...) The fluid that flows in and around the hollow spaces of the brain and spinal cord, and between two of the meninges (the thin…
cerebrum(seh-REE-brum) The largest part of the brain. It is divided into two hemispheres, or halves, called the cerebral hemispheres.
Cerubidine(seh-ROO-bih-dine) A drug used to treat acute leukemias and some other types of cancer.
cervical(SER-vih-kul) Relating to the neck, or to the neck of any organ or structure. Cervical lymph nodes are located in the neck.
cervical cancer(SER-vih-kul KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in tissues of the cervix (the organ connecting the uterus and vagina).
cervical intraepithelial neoplasia(SER-vih-kul IN-truh-eh-pih-THEE-lee-ul NEE-oh-PLAY-zhuh) Growth of abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix.
cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2/3(SER-vih-kul IN-truh-eh-pih-THEE-lee-ul NEE-oh-play-zhuh â¦) A condition in which abnormal cells grow on the thin layer of tissue that covers…
cervical mediastinoscopy(SUR-vuh-kul MEE-dee-eh-stye-NAH-skuh-pee): A surgical procedure to examine the central area of the chest, called the mediastinum.
cervical squamous intraepithelial neoplasia 1(SER-vih-kul SKWAY-mus IN-truh-eh-pih-THEE-lee-ul NEE-oh-PLAY-zhuh ...) A condition in which slightly abnormal cells grow on the thin layer of tissue that…
cervical squamous intraepithelial neoplasia 2(SER-vih-kul SKWAY-mus IN-truh-eh-pih-THEE-lee-ul NEE-oh-PLAY-zhuh ...) A condition in which moderately abnormal cells grow on the thin layer of tissue…
cervical squamous intraepithelial neoplasia 3(SER-vih-kul SKWAY-mus IN-truh-eh-pih-THEE-lee-ul NEE-oh-PLAY-zhuh â¦) Abnormal cells are found in the cervical epithelium (the innermost lining…
cervicectomy(SER-vih-SEK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove the cervix (the end of the uterus that forms a canal between the uterus and the vagina).
CerviPrep(SER-vih-PREP) A device used to deliver drugs directly to the cervix (the lower, narrow end of the uterus that forms a canal between the uterus and…
cervix(SER-viks) The lower, narrow end of the uterus that forms a canal between the uterus and vagina.
cetuximab(seh-TUK-sih-mab) A monoclonal antibody used to treat certain types of head and neck cancer, and colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the…
cevimelineA substance that increases production of saliva and tears. It is being studied as a treatment for dry mouth caused by radiation therapy to the head and…
CGP 48664A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase inhibitors.
Chamberlain procedure(CHAYM-ber-len proh-SEE-jer) A procedure in which a tube is inserted into the chest to view the tissues and organs in the area between the lungs and…
chamomile(KA-muh-mile) A family of plants with daisy-like flowers. Two types are German chamomile and Roman or English chamomile.
change of lifeThe time of life when a woman no longer has menstrual periods. Change of life is reached when she hasn't had a period for 12 months in a row.
Chantix(CHAN-tix) A drug used to help people stop smoking by acting the same way nicotine acts in the brain. It is a type of nicotine receptor partial agonist.
chaplain(CHA-plin) A member of the clergy in charge of a chapel or who works with the military or with an institution, such as a hospital.
charged-particle radiation therapy(⦠PAR-tih-kul RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee) A type of external radiation therapy that uses a special machine to make invisible, high-energy…
chelating agent(KEE-lay-ting AY-jent) A chemical compound that binds tightly to metal ions. In medicine, chelating agents are used to remove toxic metals from the body.
chemical imbalance(KEH-mih-kul im-BA-lunts) Too much or too little of any substance that helps the body work the way it should.
chemoembolizationA procedure in which the blood supply to the tumor is blocked surgically or mechanically and anticancer drugs are administered directly into the tumor.
chemoimmunotherapy(KEE-moh-IH-myoo-noh-THAYR-uh-pee) Chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy. Chemotherapy uses different drugs to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells…
chemoprevention(KEE-mo-pre-VEN-shun) The use of drugs, vitamins, or other agents to try to reduce the risk of, or delay the development or recurrence of, cancer.
chemoprevention studyIn cancer prevention, a clinical trial that studies whether taking certain medicines, vitamins, minerals, or food supplements can prevent cancer.
chemoprotectiveA quality of some drugs used in cancer treatment. Chemoprotective agents protect healthy tissue from the toxic effects of anticancer drugs.
chemoradiationTreatment that combines chemotherapy with radiation therapy. Also called chemoradiotherapy.