intraductal carcinoma(IN-truh-DUK-tul KAR-sih-NOH-muh) A noninvasive condition in which abnormal cells are found in the lining of a breast duct.
intraductal papilloma(IN-truh-DUK-tul PA-pih-LOH-muh) A benign (noncancerous), wart-like growth in a milk duct of the breast.
intraepithelial(IN-truh-eh-pih-THEEL-ee-ul) Within the layer of cells that form the surface or lining of an organ.
intrahepatic(IN-truh-heh-PA-tik) Within the liver.
intrahepatic bile duct(IN-truh-heh-PA-tik BILE dukt) A bile duct that passes through and drains bile from the liver.
intrahepatic infusion(IN-truh-heh-PA-tik in-FYOO-zhun) The delivery of anticancer drugs directly to the blood vessels of the liver.
intralesionalWithin a cancerous area, for example, within a tumor in the skin.
intraluminal intubation and dilationA procedure in which a plastic or metal tube is inserted through the mouth into the esophagus (the tube that carries food to the stomach) to keep it open.
intramuscular(IN-truh-MUS-kyoo-ler) Within or into muscle. Also called IM.
intraocular(IN-truh-AH-kyoo-ler) Within the eyeball.
intraocular melanoma(IN-truh-AH-kyoo-ler MEH-luh-NOH-muh) A rare cancer of melanocytes (cells that produce the pigment melanin) found in the eye. Also called ocular melanoma.
intraoperative radiation therapy(IN-truh-AH-puh-ruh-tiv RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee) Radiation treatment aimed directly at a tumor during surgery. Also called IORT.
intrapelvic(IN-truh-PEL-vik) Within the pelvis, the lower part of the abdomen between the hip bones.
intraperitoneal(IN-truh-PAYR-ih-toh-NEE-ul) Within the peritoneal cavity (the area that contains the abdominal organs). Also called IP.
intraperitoneal chemotherapy(IN-truh-PAYR-ih-toh-NEE-ul KEE-moh-THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment in which anticancer drugs are put directly into the abdominal cavity through a thin tube.
intraperitoneal infusion(IN-truh-PAYR-ih-toh-NEE-ul in-FYOO-zhun) A method of delivering fluids and drugs directly into the abdominal cavity through a thin tube.
intraperitoneal radiation therapy(IN-truh-PAYR-ih-toh-NEE-ul RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment in which a radioactive liquid is put directly into the abdomen through a thin tube.
intraspinal(IN-truh-SPY-nul) Within the spine (backbone).
intrathecal(IN-truh-THEE-kul) Describes the fluid-filled space between the thin layers of tissue that cover the brain and spinal cord.
intrathecal chemotherapy(IN-truh-THEE-kul KEE-moh-THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment in which anticancer drugs are injected into the fluid-filled space between the thin layers of tissue…
intrauterine(IN-truh-YOO-teh-rin) Inside the uterus (the small, hollow, pear-shaped organ in a woman's pelvis where a baby grows).
intrauterine device(IN-truh-YOO-teh-rin dee-VICE) A small, plastic T-shaped device that is placed inside the uterus (the small, hollow, pear-shaped organ in a woman's…
intravaginal(IN-truh-VA-jih-nul) Having to do with the inside of the vagina (the birth canal).
Intravenous(IN-truh-VEE-nus) Into or within a vein. Intravenous usually refers to a way of giving a drug or other substance through a needle or tube inserted into a…
intravenous infusion(IN-truh-VEE-nus in-FYOO-zhun) A method of putting fluids, including drugs, into the bloodstream. Also called infusion.
intravenous pyelogram(IN-truh-VEE-nus PY-eh-loh-GRAM) A series of x-rays of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. The x-rays are taken after a dye is injected into a blood vessel.
intravenous pyelography(IN-truh-VEE-nus PY-eh-LAH-gruh-fee) X-ray study of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. The x-rays are taken after a dye is injected into a blood vessel.
intraventricular infusion(IN-truh-ven-TRIH-kyoo-ler in-FYOO-zhun) The delivery of a drug into a fluid-filled cavity within the heart or brain.
intravesical(IN-truh-VES-ih-kal) Within the bladder.
intrusive thought(in-TROO-siv thawt) An unpleasant memory or idea that occurs often in a person's everyday thoughts and keeps him or her from thinking about other things.
Invasive(in-va'siv) having the ability to enter and spread throughout the tissues of the body; the ability to infiltrate and actively destroy surrounding tissue.
invasive breast cancer(in-VAY-siv brest KAN-ser) Cancer that has spread from where it started in the breast into surrounding, healthy tissue.
Invasive Cancer(in-VAY-siv KAN-ser) Cancer that has spread beyond the layer of tissue in which it developed and is growing into surrounding, healthy tissues.
invasive cervical cancer(in-VAY-siv SER-vih-kul KAN-ser) Cancer that has spread from the surface of the cervix to tissue deeper in the cervix or to other parts of the body.
invasive hydatidiform mole(in-VAY-siv hy-da-TID-ih-form mohl) A type of cancer that grows into the muscular wall of the uterus.
invasive procedureA medical procedure that invades (enters) the body, usually by cutting or puncturing the skin or by inserting instruments into the body.
inverted papillomaA type of tumor in which surface epithelial cells grow downward into the underlying supportive tissue.
investigational(in-VES-tih-GAY-shuh-nul) In clinical trials, refers to a drug (including a new drug, dose, combination, or route of administration) or procedure that has…
investigational drug(in-VES-tih-GAY-shuh-nul drug) A substance that has been tested in a laboratory and has gotten approval from the U.S.
investigatorA researcher in a clinical trial or clinical study.
involuntary(in-VAH-lun-TAYR-ee) An action that is not made by choice. In the body, involuntary actions (such as blushing) occur automatically, and cannot be…
involuntary nervous system(in-VAH-lun-TAYR-ee NER-vus SIS-tem) The part of the nervous system that controls muscles of internal organs (such as the heart, blood vessels, lungs…
iodine(I-oh-dine) An element that is necessary for the body to make thyroid hormone. It is found in shellfish and iodized salt.
iodine I 131 metaiodobenzylguanidine(I-oh-dine ... meh-tuh-I-oh-doh-BEN-zeel-GWAH-nih-deen) A radioactive substance that is used in imaging tests, and is being studied in the treatment of…
iodine I 131 monoclonal antibody BC8(I-oh-dine ⦠MAH-noh-KLOH-nul AN-tee-BAH-deeâ¦) A monoclonal antibody that contains the radioactive substance iodine I131.
iodine I 131 tositumomab(I-oh-dine I 131 TAH-sih-TOO-moh-mab) A monoclonal antibody (tositumomab) that has been chemically changed by adding radioactive iodine, and that is used…
iododoxorubicin(I-oh-doh-DOK-soh-ROO-bih-sin) A substance that is being studied as a treatment for cancer and for primary systemic amyloidosis (a disease in which…
ionizing radiation(I-uh-NYZ-ing RAY-dee-AY-shun) A type of radiation made (or given off ) by x-ray procedures, radioactive substances, rays that enter the Earth's…
ionomycinAn antibiotic drug used to treat infection.
IORTRadiation treatment aimed directly at a tumor during surgery. Also called intraoperative radiation therapy.
IPWithin the peritoneal cavity (the area that contains the abdominal organs). Also called intraperitoneal.
IP6A substance found in many foods that come from plants, including corn, wheat, rice, and soybeans, and in large amounts in cereals and legumes.
ipilimumab(ih-pih-LIM-yoo-mab) A monoclonal antibody being studied in the treatment of certain types of cancer.
ipsilateralHaving to do with the same side of the body.
IRBA group of scientists, doctors, clergy, and consumers that reviews and approves the action plan for every clinical trial.
Iressa(i-REH-suh) A drug that is used to treat certain types of non-small cell lung cancer and is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.
irinotecanAn anticancer drug that is a type of topoisomerase inhibitor. It is a camptothecin analog. Also called CPT 11.
IRIS(I-ris) The colored tissue at the front of the eye that contains the pupil in the center.
irofulven(i-roh-FUL-ven) A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. Irofulven attaches to the cell's DNA and may block cancer cell growth.
iron(I-urn) An important mineral the body needs to make hemoglobin, a substance in the blood that carries oxygen from the lungs to tissues throughout the body.
irradiation(ih-RAY-dee-AY-shun) The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, protons, and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
irreversible toxicity(eer-ih-VER-sih-bul tok-SIH-sih-tee) Side effects that are caused by toxic substances or something harmful to the body and do not go away.
iseganan hydrochloride(i-seh-GAN-an HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A substance being studied in the treatment of oral mucositis (painful mouth sores) caused by cancer therapy and other…
ISIS 2503A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer.
ISIS 3521A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer.
ISIS 5132A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer.
islet cellA pancreatic cell that produces hormones (e.g., insulin and glucagon) that are secreted into the bloodstream.
islet cell carcinoma(I-let sel KAR-sih-NOH-muh) A rare cancer that forms in the islets of Langerhans cells (a type of cell found in the pancreas).
islet cell tumor(I-let sel TOO-mer) A mass of abnormal cells that forms in the endocrine (hormone-producing) tissues of the pancreas.
islet of Langerhans cell(EYE-let of LANG-er-hanz) A pancreatic cell that produces hormones (e.g., insulin and glucagon) that are secreted into the bloodstream.
isoflavoneAn estrogen-like substance made by some plants, including the soy plant. Soy isoflavones are being studied in the prevention of cancer, hot flashes that…
isointenseHaving the same intensity as another object. Used to describe the results of imaging tests, such as x-rays, MRIs, or CT scans.
isolated hepatic perfusion(I-soh-LAY-ted heh-PA-tik per-FYOO-zhun) A procedure in which a catheter is placed into the artery that provides blood to the liver.
isolated limb infusion(I-soh-LAY-ted LIM in-FYOO-zhun) A procedure used to deliver anticancer drugs directly to an arm or leg but not to the rest of the body.
isolated limb perfusion(I-soh-LAY-ted LIM per-FYOO-zhun) A procedure that may be used to deliver anticancer drugs directly to an arm or leg.
isolated lung perfusion(I-soh-LAY-ted ... per-FYOO-zhun) A surgical procedure during which the circulation of blood to the lungs is separated from the circulation of blood…
Isolation(I-soh-LAY-shun) State of being separated from others. Isolation is sometimes used to prevent disease from spreading.
isomerOne of two or more compounds that have the same chemical formula but different arrangements of the atoms within the molecules and that may have different…
isosulfan blue(I-soh-SUL-fan â¦) A dye made in the laboratory that helps identify the sentinel lymph node (the first lymph node that cancer spreads to from a…
isotope(I-soh-tope) A form of a chemical element in which the atoms have the same number of protons (part of the nucleus of an atom) but with a different number…
isotretinoinA drug that is used in the treatment of acne and psoriasis and is being studied in cancer prevention. It is a type of retinoid.
ispinesib(is-PIN-eh-sib) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. Ispinesib blocks a protein that tumor cells need to divide.
isthmus(iz-muhs) A narrow part inside the body that connects two larger structures.
ITPA condition in which platelets (blood cells that cause blood clots to form) are destroyed by the immune system.
itraconazoleA drug used to prevent or treat fungal infections. It belongs to the family of drugs called antifungal agents.
IUA unit used to measure the activity of many vitamins, hormones, enzymes, and drugs.
IUDA small, plastic T-shaped device that is placed inside the uterus (the small, hollow, pear-shaped organ in a woman's pelvis) to prevent pregnancy.
IVPIntravenous pyelogram or intravenous pyelography (in-tra-VEE-nus PYE-el-o-gram or pye-LAH-gra-fee).
ixabepilone(ix-ab-EP-ih-lone) A drug used to treat metastatic or locally advanced breast cancer that has not improved after treatment with certain other anticancer…
Ixempra(ix-EM-pruh) A drug used to treat metastatic or locally advanced breast cancer that has not improved after treatment with certain other anticancer drugs.