D&CA procedure to remove tissue from the cervical canal or the inner lining of the uterus.
D-1MTA substance being studied in the treatment of melanoma and many other types of cancer.
D-20761A synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) antagonist that suppresses LH and sex steroid levels.
D-cycloserine(...SY-kloh-SER-een) A drug used to treat tuberculosis. It is also being studied in the treatment of pain and nerve problems (numbness, tingling) caused…
da-huang(dah-hwong) The root of this plant has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems. It may have anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects.
DACAA substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of topoisomerase inhibitor. Also called acridine carboxamide.
dacarbazineAn anticancer drug that is a type of alkylating agent.
dacliximabA monoclonal antibody that is being studied in the treatment of adult T-cell leukemia and in the treatment of cytopenia (low blood cell count).
daclizumabA monoclonal antibody that is being studied in the treatment of adult T-cell leukemia and in the treatment of cytopenia (low blood cell count).
Dacogen(DA-koh-jen) A drug that is used to treat myelodysplastic syndromes and is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.
dactinomycinAn anticancer drug that is a type of antitumor antibiotic.
daidzeinAn isoflavone found in soy products. Soy isoflavones are being studied in the prevention of cancer.
dalteparin(dul-TEP-uh-rin) A drug used to prevent blood clots from forming or to treat blood clots that have formed in patients with cancer or other conditions.
dalteparin sodium(dul-TEP-uh-rin SOH-dee-um) A drug used to prevent blood clots from forming or to treat blood clots that have formed in patients with cancer or other…
danazolA synthetic hormone that is a type of androgen and is used to treat endometriosis. It is being evaluated in the treatment of endometrial cancer.
daptomycin(dap-toh-MY-sin) A drug used to treat certain bacterial skin and bloodstream infections in adults.
darbepoetin alfa(dar-be-POE-e-tin AL-fa) A substance made in the laboratory that stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood cells.
dark-field microscopeA microscope (device used to magnify small objects) in which objects are lit at a very low angle from the side so that the background appears dark and the…
dasatinib(da-SA-tih-nib) A drug used to treat certain types of chronic myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Data and Safety Monitoring BoardAn impartial group that oversees a clinical trial and reviews the results to see if they are acceptable.
daunorubicin(DAW-noh-ROO-bih-sin) A drug used to treat acute leukemias and some other types of cancer.
daunorubicin hydrochloride(DAW-noh-ROO-bih-sin HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A drug used to treat acute leukemias and some other types of cancer.
DCISA noninvasive condition in which abnormal cells are found in the lining of a breast duct.
DDSA rare disorder that causes kidney failure before age 3, abnormal development of the sexual organs, and, in most cases, Wilms tumor (a type of kidney…
De Novo(dih NO-vo) In cancer, the first occurrence of cancer in the body.
de qi sensation(duh-CHEE sen-SAY-shun) Tingling, numbness, heaviness, and other feelings that occur after an acupuncture needle has been properly placed in the body.
death capA type of poisonous mushroom that has harmful effects on the kidneys and liver. It is responsible for most fatal cases of mushroom poisoning.
death rattle(... RA-tul) A gurgling sound that comes from the back of the throat of a dying person.
debulking(dee-BUL-king) Surgical removal of as much of a tumor as possible. Debulking may increase the chance that chemotherapy or radiation therapy will kill all…
decitabine(deh-SIT-uh-been) A drug that is used to treat myelodysplastic syndromes and is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.
declopramide(deh-KLOH-pruh-mide) A substance that blocks the process cells use to repair DNA. It may help anticancer drugs and radiation kill more cancer cells.
decortication(de-KOR-tih-KAY-shun) Removal of part or all of the external surface of an organ.
deferasirox(deh-FER-uh-SEER-ox) A drug used to treat too much iron in the blood caused by blood transfusions.
deferoxamineAn iron-chelating agent that removes iron from tumors by inhibiting DNA synthesis and causing cancer cell death.
defibrotideA substance that is being studied in the prevention of veno-occlusive disease, a rare complication of high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation…
deficiency(dih-FIH-shun-see) In medicine, a shortage of a substance (such as a vitamin or mineral) needed by the body.
definitive treatment(deh-FIH-nih-tiv TREET-ment) The treatment plan for a disease or disorder that has been chosen as the best one for a patient after all other choices have…
degenerative disease(dih-JEH-neh-ruh-tiv dih-ZEEZ) A disease in which the function or structure of the affected tissues or organs changes for the worse over time.
dehydrationA condition caused by the loss of too much water from the body. Severe diarrhea or vomiting can cause dehydration.
dehydroepiandrosteroneA substance being studied in the prevention of cancer. It is a type of steroid. Also called DHEA.
delayed-type hypersensitivity response(...HY-per-SEN-sih-TIH-vih-tee reh-SPONTS) An inflammatory response that develops 24 to 72 hours after exposure to an antigen that the immune system…
delirium(deh-LEER-ee-um) A mental state in which a person is confused, disoriented, and not able to think or remember clearly.
dementia(deh-MEN-shuh) A condition in which a person loses the ability to think, remember, learn, make decisions, and solve problems.
Demerol(DEH-meh-ROL) A morphine-like drug used to relieve medium to severe pain. It is a type of opioid analgesic and may be habit-forming.
dendritic cellA special type of antigen-presenting cell (APC) that activates T lymphocytes.
dendritic cell vaccineA vaccine made of antigens and dendritic antigen-presenting cells (APCs).
DenialAn insurance company decision to withhold a claim payment or preauthorization. A denial may be made because the medical service is not covered, not…
denileukin diftitox(DEN-ih-LOO-kin DIF-tih-tox) A substance used to treat cutaneous T-cell lymphoma when other treatments have not worked.
denomination(deh-NAH-mih-NAY-shun) In religion, describes a group whose members are organized under a common name and set of rules and have common beliefs and…
denosumab(den-oh-SOO-mab) A type of monoclonal antibody being studied in the treatment of multiple myeloma (a cancer that forms in bones) and in the prevention and…
dental implantA metal, root-shaped device that is placed surgically in the jawbone. It acts as an anchor for attaching false teeth (crowns or bridges).
dentistA health professional who specializes in caring for the teeth, gums, and other tissues in the mouth.
Denys-Drash syndromeA rare disorder that causes kidney failure before age 3, abnormal development of the sexual organs, and, in most cases, Wilms tumor (a type of kidney…
deoxycytidineA drug that protects healthy tissues from the toxic effects of anticancer drugs.
deoxyribonucleic acid(dee-OK-see-RY-boh-noo-KLEE-ik A-sid) The molecules inside cells that carry genetic information and pass it from one generation to the next.
Depo-Cyt(DEE-poh-SITE) A form of the anticancer drug cytarabine that is contained inside very tiny, fat-like particles.
DepressionA depression is a severe and prolonged downturn in the economy. Prices fall, reducing purchasing power.
depsipeptideA substance that is made naturally by some bacteria, fungi, and other organisms, and can also be made in the laboratory.
DerivativeDerivatives are financial products, such as futures contracts, options, and mortgage-backed securities.
dermatitis(DER-muh-TY-tis) Inflammation of the skin.
dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans(DER-ma-toe-FI-bro-sar-KO-ma pro-TOO-ber-anz) A type of tumor that begins as a hard nodule and grows slowly.
dermatologist(der-muh-TAH-loh-jist) A doctor who has special training to diagnose and treat skin problems.
dermis(DER-mis) The lower or inner layer of the two main layers of tissue that make up the skin.
dermoid cyst(DER-moyd sist) A type of benign (noncancerous) germ cell tumor (type of tumor that begins in the cells that give rise to sperm or eggs) that often…
DESA synthetic form of the hormone estrogen that was prescribed to pregnant women between about 1940 and 1971 because it was thought to prevent miscarriages.
deslorelinA substance being studied in the treatment of cancer as a way to block sex hormones made by the ovaries or testicles.
desmoid tumorA tumor of the tissue that surrounds muscles, usually in the abdomen. A desmoid tumor rarely metastasizes (spreads to other parts of the body).
desmoplasticCausing or forming adhesions or fibrous connective tissue within a tumor.
desmoplastic melanomaA rare form of malignant melanoma marked by nonpigmented lesions on sun-exposed areas of the body, most commonly on the head and neck.
desmoplastic small round cell tumor(dez-mo-PLAS-tik...) A rare, aggressive cancer that usually affects young males and usually is located in the abdomen.
detoxify(dee-TOX-ih-fy) To make something less poisonous or harmful. It may refer to the process of removing toxins, poisons, or other harmful substances from the…
developmental stage(dee-VEH-lup-MEN-tul stayj) The physical, mental, and emotional stages a child goes through as he or she grows and matures.
DEXAAn imaging test that measures bone density (the amount of bone mineral contained in a certain volume of bone) by passing x-rays with two different energy…
DEXA scanAn imaging test that measures bone density (the amount of bone mineral contained in a certain volume of bone) by passing x-rays with two different energy…
dexamethasoneA synthetic steroid (similar to steroid hormones produced naturally in the adrenal gland).
dexmethylphenidateA substance being studied in the treatment of fatigue and nervous system side effects caused by chemotherapy.
dexrazoxane(DEKS-ruh-ZOK-sane) The active ingredient in a drug used to treat severe side effects caused by certain anticancer drugs.
dexrazoxane hydrochloride(DEKS-ruh-ZOK-sane HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A drug used to treat severe side effects caused by certain anticancer drugs.
dextroamphetamine-amphetamineA combination of drugs used as a treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy (a sleep disorder).
dextromethorphan acetic acid(DEK-stroh-meh-THOR-fan uh-SEE-tik A-sid) An anticancer drug that is a type of angiogenesis inhibitor.
DFMOA substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. Also called difluoromethylornithine.
DHA-paclitaxel(...PA-klih-TAK-sil) A combination of DHA (a natural fatty acid) and paclitaxel (an anticancer drug) being studied in the treatment of cancer.
DHEAA substance being studied in the prevention of cancer. It is a type of steroid. Also called dehydroepiandrosterone.
DHPLNA childhood condition in which abnormal tissue grows on the outer part of one or both kidneys.
DHTA hormone made from testosterone in the prostate gland, testes, and some other tissues. It is needed for the formation of male sex characteristics.
di-dgA-RFB4An anticancer drug that is a combination of a monoclonal antibody (RFB4) and an immunotoxin (dgA).
DiabetesAny of several diseases in which the kidneys make a large amount of urine. Diabetes usually refers to diabetes mellitus in which there is also a high…
diabetes mellitus(dye-a-BEE-teez MEL-ih-tus) A group of disorders in which there is a defect in the transfer of glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream into cells, leading to…
diagnoseDoctors look at many things to find out if you have breast cancer. For example, they look at different physical signs, ask questions about your symptoms…
DiagnosisThe process of identifying a disease from its signs and symptoms using patient history, examination, and laboratory and other test results.
diagnostic mammogramX-ray of the breasts used to check for breast cancer after a lump or other sign or symptom of breast cancer has been found.