inalimarev(IN-uh-LIM-uh-rev) A cancer vaccine made with a form of vaccinia virus that does not cause disease in humans.
IncidenceThe number of new cases of a disease diagnosed each year.
Incidence RateThe ratio of the number of new cancers of a specific site/type occurring in a specified population during a year to the number of individuals who were at…
Incidence, Delay-AdjustedA term related to incidence. An algorithm is used to estimate the incidence if it were unaffected by reporting delays.
Incision(in-SIH-zhun) A cut made in the body to perform surgery.
incisional biopsy(in-SIH-zhun-al BY-op-see) A surgical procedure in which a portion of a lump or suspicious area is removed for diagnosis.
incomplete Freund's adjuvant(in-kum-PLEET froyndz A-juh-vunt) A drug used in vaccine therapy to stimulate the immune system.
incontinence(in-KAHN-tih-nens) Inability to control the flow of urine from the bladder (urinary incontinence) or the escape of stool from the rectum (fecal…
incubatedGrown in the laboratory under controlled conditions. For example, white blood cells can be grown in special conditions so that they attack specific cancer…
Indian cress(IN-dee-un kres) Parts of the flowering plant have been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems. It may have anticancer effects.
Indian elmThe inner bark of this plant has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems. It may have antioxidant effects.
Indian rhubarb(IN-dee-un ROO-barb) The root of this plant has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems.
Indian saffron(IN-dee-un SA-fron) An East Indian plant that is a member of the ginger family and is used as a spice and food color.
Indian valerianA plant whose roots are used as a sedative and to treat certain medical conditions.
IndicationIn medicine, a sign, symptom, or medical condition that leads to the recommendation of a treatment, test, or procedure.
indinavirA drug that interferes with the ability of a virus to make copies of itself.
indirect ophthalmoscopy(⦠OP-thal-MOS-koh-pee) An exam of the inside of the back of the eye using a beam of light and a hand-held lens.
indium In 111 CHX-A DTPA trastuzumab(IN-dee-um ⦠tras-TOO-zuh-mab) A substance being studied in the imaging of breast cancer and some other types of cancer.
indium In 111 ibritumomab tiuxetan(IN-dee-um ⦠ih-brih-TOO-moh-mab ty-oo-EKS-eh-tan) A radiolabeled monoclonal antibody that is used to detect certain types of B-cell…
indole-3-carbinolA substance that is being studied as a cancer prevention drug. It is found in cruciferous vegetables.
indolent(IN-doe-lint) A type of cancer that grows slowly.
indolent lymphoma(IN-doh-lent lim-FOH-muh) A type of lymphoma that tends to grow and spread slowly, and has few symptoms. Also called low-grade lymphoma.
Indomethacin(IN-doh-MEH-thuh-sin) A drug that reduces pain, fever, swelling, and redness. It is also being used to reduce tumor-induced suppression of the immune…
induction therapy(in-DUK-shun THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment designed to be used as a first step toward shrinking the cancer and in evaluating response to drugs and other agents.
InfectionInvasion and multiplication of germs in the body. Infections can occur in any part of the body and can spread throughout the body.
inferior vena cavaA large vein that empties into the heart. It carries blood from the legs and feet and from organs in the abdomen and pelvis.
infertility(IN-fer-TIH-lih-tee) The inability to produce children.
infiltrating breast cancerCancer that has spread from where it started in the breast into surrounding, healthy tissue.
infiltrating cancerCancer that has spread beyond the layer of tissue in which it developed and is growing into surrounding, healthy tissues. Also called invasive cancer.
infiltrating ductal carcinomaThe most common type of invasive breast cancer. It starts in the cells that line the milk ducts in the breast, grows outside the ducts, and often spreads…
inflammation(IN-fluh-MAY-shun) Redness, swelling, pain, and/or a feeling of heat in an area of the body.
InflammatoryHaving to do with inflammation (redness, swelling, pain, and a feeling of heat that helps protect tissues affected by injury or disease).
inflammatory bowel disease(in-FLA-muh-TOR-ee BOW-ul dih-ZEEZ) A general term that refers to the inflammation of the colon and rectum.
inflammatory breast cancerA type of breast cancer in which the breast looks red and swollen and feels warm.
infliximabA monoclonal antibody that blocks the action of a cytokine called tumor necrosis factor alfa.
Informed consentA process in which a person is given important facts about a medical procedure or treatment, a clinical trial, or genetic testing before deciding whether…
infrared coagulationA technique in which abnormal tissue is exposed to a burst of infrared light (a type of radiation).
infrared thermography(IN-fruh-RED ther-MAH-gruh-fee) In medicine, a procedure in which an infrared camera (one that senses heat) is used to measure temperature differences on…
infusion(in-FYOO-zhun) A method of putting fluids, including drugs, into the bloodstream. Also called intravenous infusion.
inguinal orchiectomy(IN-gwih-nul OR-kee-EK-toh-mee) An operation in which the testicle is removed through an incision in the groin.
inhalationIn medicine, refers to the act of taking a substance into the body by breathing.
inhaler(in-HAY-ler) A device for giving medicines in the form of a spray that is inhaled (breathed in) through the nose or mouth.
inherited(in-HAYR-it-ed) Transmitted through genes that have been passed from parents to their offspring (children).
inherited bone marrow failure syndrome(in-HAYR-it-ed bone MAYR-oh FAYL-yer SIN-drome) A rare disorder in which a person's bone marrow is unable to make enough blood cells and there is a family…
injectionUse of a syringe and needle to push fluids or drugs into the body; often called a "shot."
Innohep(IN-oh-HEP) A drug that is used with another drug, warfarin, to treat blood clots that form deep in the veins and to prevent new blood clots from forming.
inoperableDescribes a condition that cannot be treated by surgery.
inositol(ih-NAH-sih-TOL) A type of sugar that has a different chemical structure than glucose (the chief source of energy for living organisms).
inositol hexaphosphate(ih-NAH-sih-TOL HEK-suh-FOS-fayt) A substance found in many foods that come from plants, including corn, wheat, rice, and soybeans, and in large amounts…
INS316A substance being studied in the diagnosis of lung diseases, including lung cancer.
insomniaDifficulty in going to sleep or getting enough sleep.
instillationIn medicine, a method used to put a liquid into the body slowly or drop by drop.
Institutional Review BoardA group of scientists, doctors, clergy, and consumers that reviews and approves the action plan for every clinical trial.
insulin(IN-su-lin) A hormone made by the islet cells of the pancreas. Insulin controls the amount of sugar in the blood by moving it into the cells, where it can…
intensification therapy(in-TEN-sih-fih-KAY-shun THAYR-uh-pee) A type of high-dose chemotherapy often given as the second phase (after induction therapy) of a cancer treatment…
intensity-modulated radiation therapy(in-TEN-sih-tee-MAH-juh-LAY-tid RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee) A type of 3-dimensional radiation therapy that uses computer-generated images to show the…
intercalatorIn biochemistry, a type of molecule that binds to DNA and inserts itself into the DNA structure. Some intercalators are used as treatments for cancer.
interfering thought(IN-ter-FEER-ing thawt) An unpleasant memory or idea that occurs often in a person's everyday thoughts and keeps him or her from thinking about other…
interferon(in-ter-FEER-on) A biological response modifier (a substance that can improve the body's natural response to infections and other diseases).
interleukin(in-ter-LOO-kin) One of a group of related proteins made by leukocytes (white blood cells) and other cells in the body.
interleukin-1(in-ter-LOO-kin â¦) One of a group of related proteins made by leukocytes (white blood cells) and other cells in the body.
interleukin-1-alfa(in-ter-LOO-kin â¦) One of a group of related proteins made by leukocytes (white blood cells) and other cells in the body.
interleukin-1-alpha(in-ter-LOO-kin â¦) One of a group of related proteins made by leukocytes (white blood cells) and other cells in the body.
interleukin-1-beta(in-ter-LOO-kin ... BAY-tuh) One of a group of related proteins made by leukocytes (white blood cells) and other cells in the body.
interleukin-11(in-ter-LOO-kin...) One of a group of related proteins made by leukocytes (white blood cells) and other cells in the body.
interleukin-12(in-ter-LOO-kin) One of a group of related proteins made by leukocytes (white blood cells) and other cells in the body.
interleukin-2(in-ter-LOO-kin...) One of a group of related proteins made by leukocytes (white blood cells) and other cells in the body.
interleukin-3(in-ter-LOO-kin...) One of a group of related proteins made by leukocytes (white blood cells) and other cells in the body.
interleukin-4(in-ter-LOO-kin...) One of a group of related proteins made by leukocytes (white blood cells) and other cells in the body.
interleukin-4 PE38KDEL cytotoxin(in-ter-LOO-kin ... SY-toh-TOK-sin) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is made by combining interleukin-4 with a bacterial toxin.
interleukin-6(in-ter-LOO-kin...) One of a group of related proteins made by leukocytes (white blood cells) and other cells in the body.
interleukin-7(in-ter-LOO-kin...) One of a group of related proteins made by leukocytes (white blood cells) and other cells in the body.
intermediate-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).
internal examination(in-TER-nul ex-am-ih-NAY-shun) A physical examination in which the health care professional will feel for lumps or changes in the shape of the vagina…
internal radiation therapy(in-TER-nul RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee) A type of radiation therapy in which radioactive material sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or catheters is…
International UnitA unit used to measure the activity of many vitamins, hormones, enzymes, and drugs.
interstitial radiation therapy(IN-ter-STIH-shul RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee) A type of internal radiation therapy in which radioactive material sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or…
Intervention(IN-ter-VEN-shun) In medicine, a treatment or action taken to prevent or treat disease, or improve health in other ways.
intervention group(IN-ter-VEN-shun groop) The group receiving the study agent that is being tested in a clinical trial or clinical study.
intestinal villiTiny hair-like projections that line the inside of the small intestine. They contain blood vessels and help absorb nutrients.
Intestine(in-TES-tin) The long, tube-shaped organ in the abdomen that completes the process of digestion.
intoplicine(in-TOP-lih-seen) A substance that has been studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
intoxicating pepper(in-TOK-sih-KAYT-ing...) An herb native to islands in the South Pacific. Substances taken from the root have been used in some cultures to relieve stress…
intra-arterial(IN-truh-ar-TEER-ee-ul) Within an artery (blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to tissues and organs in the body).
intracarotid infusion(IN-truh-kuh-RAH-tid in-FYOO-zhun) The introduction of fluids and drugs directly into the carotid artery, the main artery in the neck that carries blood…
intracavitary(IN-truh-KA-vuh-tayr-ee) Within a cavity or space, such as the abdomen, pelvis, or chest.
intracavitary radiation therapy(IN-truh-KA-vih-tayr-ee RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee) A type of internal radiation therapy in which radioactive material sealed in needles, seeds, wires…