high blood pressure(hy blud PREH-sher) A blood pressure of 140/90 or higher. High blood pressure usually has no symptoms.
high blood sugar(⦠blud SHUH-gur) Higher than normal amount of glucose (a type of sugar) in the blood.
high gradeWhen referring to cancerous and precancerous growths, a term used to describe cells that look abnormal under a microscope.
high-dose chemotherapy(hy-dose kee-moh-THAYR-uh-pee) An intensive drug treatment to kill cancer cells, but that also destroys the bone marrow and can cause other severe side…
high-dose radiation(hy-dose RAY-dee-AY-shun) An amount of radiation that is greater than that given in typical radiation therapy.
high-dose-rate remote brachytherapy(hy-dose-rate ree-MOTE BRAY-kee-THAYR-uh-pee) A type of internal radiation treatment in which the radioactive source is removed between treatments.
high-dose-rate remote radiation therapy(hy-dose-rate ree-MOTE RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee) A type of internal radiation treatment in which the radioactive source is removed between treatments.
high-energy photon therapy(hy-EH-nur-jee FOH-ton THAYR-uh-pee) A type of radiation therapy that uses high-energy photons (units of light energy).
high-grade lymphomaA type of lymphoma that grows and spreads quickly, and has severe symptoms. It is seen frequently in patients who are HIV-positive (AIDS-related lymphoma).
high-intensity focused ultrasound therapy(⦠in-TEN-sih-tee FOH-kust UL-truh-SOWND THAYR-uh-pee) A procedure in which high-energy sound waves are aimed directly at an area of abnormal…
high-risk cancerCancer that is likely to recur (come back), or spread.
high-selenium Brassica juncea(BRA-sih-kuh JUN-see-uh) Brassica juncea that has been grown in high levels of selenium.
highly active antiretroviral therapy(...AN-tee-REH-troh-VY-rul THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection that uses a combination of several antiretroviral…
hilar(HY-ler) Refers to the area where nerves and blood vessels attach to an organ.
Hind milk(hind milk) the high fat milk produced at the end of the feeding.
histamine dihydrochloride(HIS-tuh-meen dy-HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer and other conditions.
histiocytic lymphoma(HIS-tee-oh-SIH-tik lim-FOH-muh) An outdated term referring to non-Hodgkin lymphomas made up of large abnormal lymphoid cells.
histologic examination(HIS-tuh-LAH-jik ig-ZA-mih-NAY-shun) The examination of tissue specimens under a microscope.
histology(his-TAH-loh-jee) The study of tissues and cells under a microscope.
histoneA type of protein found in chromosomes. Histones bind to DNA, help give chromosomes their shape, and help control the activity of genes.
histone deacetylaseAn enzyme that changes the way histone binds to DNA. Histone deacetylase inhibitors are being studied as a treatment for cancer. Also called HDAC.
histone deacetylase inhibitor(HIS-tone dee-uh-SET-ih-lase in-HIH-bih-ter) A substance that causes a chemical change that stops tumor cells from dividing.
histopathology(HIS-toh-puh-THAH-loh-jee) The study of diseased cells and tissues using a microscope.
historic cohort studyA research study in which the medical records of groups of individuals who are alike in many ways but differ by a certain characteristic (for example…
historical control subjectAn individual treated in the past and used in a comparison group when researchers analyze the results of a clinical study that had no control group.
HIVThe cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Also called human immunodeficiency virus.
HIV antibodyA substance produced by certain white blood cells in reaction to contact with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
HIV positive(... PAH-zih-tiv) Infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
HLAOne of a group of proteins found on the surface of white blood cells and other cells that play an important part in the body's immune response to foreign…
HLHA rare disorder in which histiocytes and lymphocytes (types of white blood cells) build up in organs including the skin, spleen, and liver, and destroy…
HLRCCA rare inherited disorder that increases the risk of developing benign (noncancerous) tumors of the skin and the uterus (leiomyomas) and malignant…
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor(HMG-koh-EN-zime-A ree-DUK-tayz in-HIH-bih-ter) A substance that blocks an enzyme needed by the body to make cholesterol and lowers the amount of…
HMGA1A protein that binds to the DNA and certain proteins in chromosomes. It is involved in many functions in the cell, and helps protect cells from dying.
HNPCCAn inherited disorder in which affected individuals have a higher-than-normal chance of developing colorectal cancer and certain other types of cancer…
Hodgkin disease(HOJ-kin dih-ZEEZ) A cancer of the immune system that is marked by the presence of a type of cell called the Reed-Sternberg cell.
Hodgkin lymphoma(HOJ-kin lim-FOH-muh) A cancer of the immune system that is marked by the presence of a type of cell called the Reed-Sternberg cell.
holmium Ho 166 DOTMPA drug containing a radioactive isotope that is used in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
holy thistle(... THIH-sel) A plant whose leaves, stems, and flowers have been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems.
homeopathic medicineAn alternative approach to medicine based on the belief that natural substances, prepared in a special way and used most often in very small amounts…
homeopathyAn alternative approach to medicine based on the belief that natural substances, prepared in a special way and used most often in very small amounts…
Homeostasis(HOH-mee-oh-STAY-sis) A state of balance among all the body systems needed for the body to survive and function correctly.
homeostatic(HOH-mee-oh-STA-tik) Having to do with homeostasis, which is a state of balance among all the body systems, needed for the body to function correctly.
homoharringtonineAn anticancer drug that belongs to the plant alkaloid family of drugs.
hormonal therapy(hor-MOH-nul THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment that adds, blocks, or removes hormones. For certain conditions (such as diabetes or menopause), hormones are given to…
hormone(HOR-mone) One of many chemicals made by glands in the body. Hormones circulate in the bloodstream and control the actions of certain cells or organs.
hormone receptor(HOR-mone reh-SEP-ter) A protein on the surface of a cell to which a specific hormone binds. The hormone causes many changes to take place in the cell.
hormone receptor test(HOR-mone reh-SEP-ter test) A test to measure the amount of certain proteins, called hormone receptors, in cancer tissue.
hormone replacement therapy(HOR-mone ree-PLAYS-ment THAYR-uh-pee) Hormones (estrogen, progesterone, or both) given to women after menopause to replace the hormones no longer…
hormone responsiveIn oncology, describes cancer that responds to hormone treatment.
hormone therapy(HOR-mone THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment that adds, blocks, or removes hormones. For certain conditions (such as diabetes or menopause), hormones are given to…
hormone treatmentTreatment that adds, blocks, or removes hormones. For certain conditions (such as diabetes or menopause), hormones are given to adjust low hormone levels.
Horner syndrome(...SIN-drome) A condition in which one side of the face is flushed, does not produce sweat, and has a constricted pupil and drooping eyelid.
hospice(HOS-pis) A program that provides special care for people who are near the end of life and for their families, either at home, in freestanding facilities…
host cellA cell that is infected by a virus or another type of microorganism.
hot flashA sudden, temporary onset of body warmth, flushing, and sweating (often associated with menopause).
Hot flashesA sudden flow of the blood through the skin, which makes a woman feel a hot flush and a sensation of warmth.
hot noduleWhen radioactive material is used to examine the thyroid with a scanner, nodules that collect more radioactive material than the surrounding thyroid…
hotspotIn genetics, an area of DNA that is likely to mutate (change).
HPPH2-(1-hexyloxyethyl)-2-devinyl pyropheophorbide-a. A drug that is used in photodynamic therapy that is absorbed by tumor cells; when exposed to light, it…
HPVA member of a family of viruses that can cause abnormal tissue growth (for example, genital warts) and other changes to cells.
HPV vaccine(... vak-SEEN) A vaccine being studied in the prevention of human papillomavirus infection and cervical cancer.
HRTHormones (estrogen, progesterone, or both) given to women after menopause to replace the hormones no longer produced by the ovaries.
HSILA precancerous condition in which the cells of the uterine cervix are moderately or severely abnormal.
HSPOne of a group of proteins that help protect cells from stresses such as heat, cold, and low amounts of oxygen or glucose (sugar).
HTLV-1A type of virus that infects T cells (a type of white blood cell) and can cause leukemia and lymphoma.
Hu3S193A monoclonal antibody that is being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
HuAFP31A monoclonal antibody being studied in the treatment of several types of cancer.
Huang LianA Chinese herb that has been used as a treatment for a variety of medical problems. It is being studied as an anticancer drug.
huC242-DM4A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. It is made by linking the monoclonal antibody huC242 to a toxic substance called…
HuHMFG1A monoclonal antibody that binds to the protein MUC1, which is found on breast, ovarian, pancreatic, gastric, and colon cancer cells.
HuLuc63A monoclonal antibody being studied in the treatment of advanced multiple myeloma.
human corticotropin-releasing factorA substance being studied in the treatment of brain cancer. It is made naturally by the hypothalamus (a part of the brain) and can also be made in the…
human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HYOO-mun eh-pih-DER-mul grohth FAK-ter reh-SEP-ter ...) A protein involved in normal cell growth. It is found in high levels on some breast cancer cells.
human herpesvirus 8(HYOO-mun HER-peez-VY-rus...) A type of herpesvirus that may cause Kaposi sarcoma (a rare cancer that can cause skin lesions) and a type of lymphoma…
human immunodeficiency virus(HYOO-mun ih-MYOO-noh-dih-FIH-shun-see VY-rus) The cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Also called HIV.
human leukocyte antigen(HYOO-mun LOO-koh-SITE AN-tih-jen) One of a group of proteins found on the surface of white blood cells and other cells that play an important part in the…
human lymphocyte antigen(HYOO-mun LIM-foh-site AN-tih-jen) One of a group of proteins found on the surface of white blood cells and other cells that play an important part in the…
human papillomavirus(HYOO-mun PA-pih-LOH-muh-VY-rus) A member of a family of viruses that can cause abnormal tissue growth (for example, genital warts) and other changes to…
human papillomavirus vaccine(HYOO-mun PA-pih-LOH-muh-VY-rus vak-SEEN) A vaccine being studied in the prevention of human papillomavirus infection and cervical cancer.
human T-cell leukemia virus type 1(HYOO-mun TEE-sel loo-KEE-mee-uh VY-rus...) A type of virus that infects T cells (a type of white blood cell) and can cause leukemia and lymphoma.
human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1(HYOO-mun TEE-sel LIM-foh-TROH-pik VY-rus...) A type of virus that infects T cells (a type of white blood cell) and can cause leukemia and lymphoma.
humanized monoclonal antibody(HYOO-muh-nized MAH-noh-KLOH-nul AN-tee-BAH-dee) A type of antibody made in the laboratory by combining a human antibody with a small part of a mouse or…
HuMax-CD20A monoclonal antibody being studied in the treatment of certain types of B-cell cancers including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and follicular…
Humidifier(hyoo-MID-ih-fye-er) A machine that puts moisture in the air.
Hurthle cell neoplasm(HEERT-leh...NEE-oh-PLA-zum) An uncommon type of thyroid tumor that can be benign or malignant.
Hycamtin(hy-KAM-tin) A drug used to treat certain types of ovarian cancer, lung cancer, and cervical cancer. Hycamtin is a type of topoisomerase inhibitor.
hydatidiform mole(HY-duh-TIH-dih-form...) A slow-growing tumor that develops from trophoblastic cells (cells that help an embryo attach to the uterus and help form the…
hydrazine sulfateA substance that has been studied as a treatment for cancer and as a treatment for cachexia (body wasting) associated with advanced cancer.
hydrocephalus(hye-dro-SEF-uh-lus) The abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain.
hydrocortisoneA drug used to relieve the symptoms of certain hormone shortages and to suppress an immune response.
hydrogen peroxideA chemical used in bleaches, dyes, cleansers, antiseptics, and disinfectants. In a concentrated form, it is toxic and irritating to tissues.
HydrolysisA chemical reaction that uses water to break down a compound.
hydronephrosisAbnormal enlargement of a kidney, which may be caused by blockage of the ureter (such as by a kidney stone) or chronic kidney disease that prevents urine…
hydroureter(HY-droh-YER-eh-ter) Abnormal enlargement of the ureter caused by any blockage that prevents urine from draining into the bladder.
hydroxychloroquineA substance that decreases immune responses in the body. It is used to treat some autoimmune diseases, and is being studied as a treatment for…