smoldering leukemiaA group of diseases in which the bone marrow does not make enough healthy blood cells. Also called myelodysplastic syndromes and preleukemia.
smoldering myeloma(... MY-eh-LOH-muh) A very slow-growing type of myeloma in which abnormal plasma cells (a type of white blood cell) make too much of a single type of…
SN-38 liposome(...LY-poh-SOME) A form of the anticancer drug irinotecan that is contained in very tiny, fat-like particles.
SnET2An anticancer drug that is also used in cancer prevention. It belongs to the family of drugs called photosensitizing agents.
SNPThe most common type of change in DNA (molecules inside cells that carry genetic information).
SNX 111A drug used in the treatment of chronic pain. Also called Prialt and ziconotide.
SNX-5422A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. SNX-5422 blocks a protein needed for cells to grow and may kill cancer cells.
SNX-5422 mesylate(â¦MEH-zih-layt) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer.
soblidotinA substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of tubulin inhibitor. Also called TZT-1027.
social service(SOH-shul SER-vis) A community resource that helps people in need. Services may include help getting to and from medical appointments, home delivery of…
social support(SOH-shul suh-PORT) A network of family, friends, neighbors, and community members that is available in times of need to give psychological, physical, and…
social workerA professional trained to talk with people and their families about emotional or physical needs, and to find them support services.
sodium(SOH-dee-um) A mineral needed by the body to keep body fluids in balance. Sodium is found in table salt and in many processed foods.
sodium borocaptate(SOH-dee-um BORE-oh-KAP-tayt) A substance used in a type of radiation therapy called boron neutron capture therapy.
sodium salicylate(SOH-dee-um suh-LIH-sih-LAYT) A drug that is a type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
sodium stibogluconate(SOH-dee-um stib-oh-GLOO-kuh-nayt) A substance being studied in the treatment of certain solid tumors, lymphoma, and myeloma.
sodium sulfite(SOH-dee-um SUL-fite) A chemical used in photography, paper making, water treatment, and for other purposes.
sodium thiosulfate(SOH-dee-um THY-oh-SUL-fayt) A substance that is used in medicine as an antidote to cyanide poisoning and to decrease side effects of the anticancer drug…
soft dietA diet consisting of bland foods that are softened by cooking, mashing, pureeing, or blending.
soft palate(PAL-et) The back, muscular (not bony) part of the roof of the mouth.
soft tissueRefers to muscle, fat, fibrous tissue, blood vessels, or other supporting tissue of the body.
soft tissue sarcoma(â¦TIH-shoo sar-KOH-muh) A cancer that begins in the muscle, fat, fibrous tissue, blood vessels, or other supporting tissue of the body.
solar keratosisA precancerous condition of thick, scaly patches of skin. Also called actinic keratosis and senile keratosis.
solid tumorAn abnormal mass of tissue that usually does not contain cysts or liquid areas. Solid tumors may be benign (not cancerous), or malignant (cancerous).
Soliris(soh-LAYR-is) A monoclonal antibody used to prevent red blood cells from being destroyed in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), a red…
soluble(SOL-yoo-bul) Able to be dissolved in a liquid.
solvent(SOL-vent) A liquid that is able to dissolve a solid.
Somatic cell(soh-MA-tik ...) Any of the body cells except the reproductive (germ) cells.
somatic mutation(soh-MA-tik myoo-TAY-shun) An alteration in DNA that occurs after conception. Somatic mutations can occur in any of the cells of the body except the germ…
somatostatin receptor scintigraphy(SOH-muh-toh-STA-tin reh-SEP-ter sin-TIH-gruh-fee) A type of radionuclide scan used to find carcinoid and other types of tumors.
somatotropin(SOH-muh-toh-TROH-pin) A protein made by the pituitary gland that helps control body growth and the use of glucose and fat in the body.
somnolence syndrome(SOM-noh-lens SIN-drome) Periods of drowsiness, lethargy, loss of appetite, and irritability in children following radiation therapy treatments to the…
sonogram(SON-o-gram) A computer picture of areas inside the body created by bouncing high-energy sound waves (ultrasound) off internal tissues or organs.
sorafenib(soh-RAF-eh-nib) A drug used to treat advanced kidney cancer and a type of liver cancer that cannot be removed by surgery.
sorafenib tosylate(soh-RAF-eh-nib TOH-suh-layt) A drug used to treat advanced kidney cancer and a type of liver cancer that cannot be removed by surgery.
sorivudineAn antiviral drug that is being studied as a treatment for herpesvirus. It belongs to the family of drugs called nucleic acid synthesis inhibitors.
sorrelA plant that has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems. It may have anticancer effects. The scientific name is Rumex acetosella .
soyA product from a plant of Asian origin that produces beans used in many food products.
soya(SOY-uh) A product from a plant of Asian origin that produces beans used in many food products.
soybeanA product from a plant of Asian origin that produces beans used in many food products.
spasm(SPA-zum) A sudden contraction of a muscle or group of muscles, such as a cramp.
Spatial CorrelationA measure of the tendency for places that are near to each other to have more similar (positive correlation) or dissimilar (negative correlation) values…
SpecialistA specialist or specialist unit is a member of a securities exchange responsible for maintaining a fair and orderly market in a specific security or…
specific immune cell(speh-SIH-fik ih-MYOON SEL) An immune cell such as a T or B lymphocyte that responds to a single, specific antigen.
specificityWhen referring to a medical test, specificity refers to the percentage of people who test negative for a specific disease among a group of people who do…
SPECTA special type of computed tomography (CT) scan in which a small amount of a radioactive drug is injected into a vein and a scanner is used to make…
spectroscopy(spek-TRAH-skoh-pee) The study of the amount of light that is taken up, given off, or scattered (reflected) by an object.
speculum(SPEK-yoo-lum) An instrument used to widen an opening of the body to make it easier to look inside.
speech pathologist(... puh-THAH-loh-jist) A specialist who evaluates and treats people with communication and swallowing problems. Also called speech therapist.
speech therapistA specialist who evaluates and treats people with communication and swallowing problems. Also called speech pathologist.
sperm (spurm)The male reproductive cell, formed in the testicle. A sperm unites with an egg to form an embryo.
sperm banking (spurm...)Freezing sperm for use in the future. This procedure can allow men to father children after loss of fertility.
sperm count (spurm kownt)A count of the number of sperm in a sample of semen. A sperm count may be used as a measure of fertility.
sperm retrieval(spurm rih-TREE-vul) Removal of sperm from a man's testis or epididymis by a doctor using a fine needle or other instrument.
spermatic cord(sper-MA-tik KORD) A cord-like structure in the male reproductive system that contains nerves, blood and lymph vessels, and the vas deferens (a coiled…
SPFA scale for rating the level of sunburn protection in sunscreen products. The higher the SPF, the more sunburn protection it gives.
sphenoid sinus(SFEE-noyd SY-nus) A type of paranasal sinus (a hollow space in the bones around the nose).
sphincterA ring-shaped muscle that relaxes or tightens to open or close a passage or opening in the body.
spiculated mass(SPIK-you-lay-ted...) A lump of tissue with spikes or points on the surface.
spinal column(SPY-nul KAH-lum) The bones, muscles, tendons, and other tissues that reach from the base of the skull to the tailbone.
spinal cordA column of nerve tissue that runs from the base of the skull down the back. It is surrounded by three protective membranes, and is enclosed within the…
spinal cord compression(SPY-nul KORD kum-PREH-shun) Pressure on the spinal cord that may be caused by a tumor, a spinal fracture, or other conditions.
spinal tap(SPY-nul ...) A procedure in which a thin needle called a spinal needle is put into the lower part of the spinal column to collect cerebrospinal fluid or…
spindle cell cancer(... KAN-ser) A type of cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs and that contains long spindle-shaped cells.
spindle cell sarcomaA type of connective tissue cancer in which the cells are spindle-shaped when examined under a microscope.
SPINEThe bones, muscles, tendons, and other tissues that reach from the base of the skull to the tailbone.
spine cancerCancer that begins in the spinal column (backbone) or spinal cord. The spinal column is made up of linked bones, called vertebrae.
spiral CT scanA detailed picture of areas inside the body. The pictures are created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine that scans the body in a spiral path.
spirituality(SPIR-ih-choo-A-lih-tee) Having to do with deep, often religious, feelings and beliefs, including a person's sense of peace, purpose, connection to…
spleenAn organ that is part of the lymphatic system. The spleen makes lymphocytes, filters the blood, stores blood cells, and destroys old blood cells.
Splenectomy(spleh-NEK-toh-mee) An operation to remove the spleen.
splenic(SPLEH-nik) Having to do with the spleen (an organ in the abdomen that makes immune cells, filters the blood, stores blood cells, and destroys old blood…
spotted thistle(... THIH-sel) A plant whose leaves, stems, and flowers have been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems.
Sprycel(SPRY-sel) A drug used to treat certain types of chronic myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
sputum(SPYOO-tum) Mucus and other matter brought up from the lungs by coughing.
sputum cytology(SPYOO-tum sy-TAH-loh-jee) Examination under a microscope of cells found in sputum (mucus and other matter brought up from the lungs by coughing).
squalamine lactateA drug that belongs to the family of drugs called angiogenesis inhibitors. It prevents the growth of new blood vessels into a solid tumor.
squamous cell(SKWAY-mus sel) Flat cell that looks like a fish scale under a microscope. These cells cover inside and outside surfaces of the body.
squamous cell carcinoma(SKWAY-mus sel KAR-sih-NOH-muh) Cancer that begins in squamous cells, which are thin, flat cells that look like fish scales.
squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck(SKWAY-mus sel KAR-sih-NOH-muh â¦) Cancer of the head and neck that begins in squamous cells (thin, flat cells that form the surface of the…
squamous intraepithelial lesion(SKWAY-mus IN-truh-eh-pih-THEEL-ee-ul LEE-zhun) A general term for the abnormal growth of squamous cells on the surface of the cervix.
SR-29142A drug that may protect healthy tissue from the toxic effects of anticancer drugs.
SR-45023AAn anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called bisphosphonates. It affects cancer cell receptors governing cell growth and cell death.
SR49059A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It inhibits a hormone growth factor that causes some cancer cells to divide.
SRSA type of radionuclide scan used to find carcinoid and other types of tumors. Radioactive octreotide, a drug similar to somatostatin, is injected into a…
SSGA substance being studied in the treatment of certain solid tumors, lymphoma, and myeloma. SSG may block enzymes needed for cancer growth.
SSRIA type of drug that is used to treat depression. SSRIs slow the process by which serotonin (a substance that nerves use to send messages to one another)…
St. Benedict's thistle(SAYNT BEH-neh-diktz THIH-sel) A plant whose leaves, stems, and flowers have been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems. St.
St. John's wortAn herbal product sold as an over-the-counter treatment for depression. It is being studied for its ability to lessen certain side effects of cancer…
ST1481A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called topoisomerase inhibitors. Also called gimatecan.
stable diseaseCancer that is neither decreasing nor increasing in extent or severity.
StageThe extent of a cancer in the body. Staging is usually based on the size of the tumor, whether lymph nodes contain cancer, and whether the cancer has…
stage 0 anal carcinoma in situ(... AY-nul KAR-sih-NOH-muh in SY-too) Abnormal cells are found in the innermost lining of the anus.
stage 0 bladder carcinoma in situ(... BLA-der KAR-sih-NOH-muh in SY-too) Abnormal cells are found on tissue lining the inside of the bladder.
stage 0 breast carcinoma in situ(... brest KAR-sih-NOH-muh in SY-too) There are 2 types of stage 0 breast cancer: ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS).
stage 0 cervical carcinoma in situ(... SER-vih-kul KAR-sih-NOH-muh in SY-too) Abnormal cells are found in the cervical epithelium (the innermost lining of the cervix).
stage 0 chronic lymphocytic leukemia(... KRAH-nik LIM-foh-SIH-tik loo-KEE-mee-uh) There are too many lymphocytes in the blood, but there are no other symptoms of leukemia.
stage 0 colorectal carcinoma in situ(...KOH-loh-REK-tul KAR-sih-NOH-muh in SY-too) Abnormal cells are found in the innermost lining of the colon and/or rectum.