strokeIn medicine, a loss of blood flow to part of the brain, which damages brain tissue.
Stroma(stro' mah) the supporting tissue or matrix of an organ; as distinguished from the functional part of the organ.
Stromagen(stroh-MUH-jen) A product that is made of special stem cells taken from a patient's bone marrow and grown in the laboratory.
Stromal cell(STROH-mul SEL) A type of cell that makes up certain types of connective tissue (supporting tissue that surrounds other tissues and organs).
stromal tumor(STRO-mal) A tumor that arises in the supporting connective tissue of an organ.
strontiumA metal often used in a radioactive form for imaging tests and in the treatment of cancer.
strontium chloride Sr 89(STRON-shee-um KLOR-ide â¦) A salt form of the radioactive metal strontium-89 that is absorbed by a part of growing bone.
strontium ranelate(STRON-chee-um RAN-uh-layt) A substance that is being studied in the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
strontium-89(STRON-shee-umâ¦) A radioactive form of the metal strontium that is taken up by a part of growing bone.
study agentA medicine, vitamin, mineral, food supplement, or a combination of them that is being tested in a clinical trial.
Sturge-Weber syndromeA rare, congenital disorder that affects the brain, skin, and eyes. Abnormal blood vessel growth occurs in the trigeminal nerve in the face and the…
SU006668A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the families of drugs called protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors and…
SU011248A drug used to treat gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) that have not responded to treatment with imatinib mesylate (Gleevec).
SU101An anticancer drug that works by inhibiting a cancer cell growth factor. Also called leflunomide.
SU11248A drug used to treat gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) that have not responded to treatment with imatinib mesylate (Gleevec).
SU5416A substance that has been studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the families of drugs called angiogenesis inhibitors and tyrosine kinase…
SU6668A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the families of drugs called protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors and…
subcutaneous portA tube surgically placed into a blood vessel and attached to a disk placed under the skin.
subependymal(SUB-eh-PEN-dih-mul) Describes the layer of cells just under the ependyma (the thin membrane that lines the fluid-filled spaces in the brain and spinal…
suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid(SOO-ber-oyl-AN-ih-lide hy-drok-SA-mik A-sid) A drug that is used to treat cutaneous T-cell lymphoma that does not get better, gets worse, or comes back…
subglottis(SUB-glot-is) The lowest part of the larynx; the area from just below the vocal cords down to the top of the trachea.
subjective improvementAn improvement that is reported by the patient, but cannot be measured by the healthcare provider (for example, "I feel better").
submucosa(sub-myoo-KOH-suh) The layer of tissue under the mucosa (inner lining of some organs and body cavities that makes mucus).
subserosa(sub-seh-ROH-suh) The layer of tissue under the serosa (outer lining of some organs and body cavities).
subset analysisIn a clinical study, the evaluation of results for some but not all of the patients who participated.
substance abuse(SUB-stunts uh-BYOOS) The use of illegal drugs or the use of prescription or over-the-counter drugs or alcohol for purposes other than those for which…
subtenonUsed to describe injections through the membrane covering the muscles and nerves at the back of the eyeball.
subtotal hysterectomy(sub-TOH-tul HIS-teh-REK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove the uterus, but not the cervix. Also called partial hysterectomy.
sucralfateA drug used to treat ulcers. It adheres to proteins at the ulcer site and forms a protective coating over the ulcer.
suction aspiration(SUK-shun as-per-AY-shun) A surgical procedure in which the cervix is dilated (opened) and vacuum is used to remove tissue from the uterus.
suction evacuation(SUK-shun ee-VA-kyoo-A-shun) A surgical procedure in which the cervix is dilated (opened) and vacuum is used to remove tissue from the uterus.
sudden infant death syndrome(â¦SIN-drome) The sudden and unexpected death of a healthy child who is younger than one year old, usually during sleep.
suicide(SOO-ih-SYDE) The act of taking one's own life on purpose.
sulfa drugA type of antibiotic used to treat infection. Also called sulfonamide.
sulfonamideA type of antibiotic used to treat infection. Also called sulfa drug.
sulfuric acid(sul-FYUR-ik A-sid) A strong acid that, when concentrated, is extremely corrosive to the skin and mucous membranes.
sulindacA nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is being studied as a treatment for cancer.
sun protection factor(... proh-TEK-shun FAK-ter) A scale for rating the level of sunburn protection in sunscreen products.
Sun's Soup (sunz soop)A mixture of vegetables and other edible plants that has been studied in the treatment of cancer.
sunitinib(soo-NIH-tih-nib) A drug used to treat gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) that have not responded to treatment with imatinib mesylate (Gleevec).
sunitinib malate(soo-NIH-tih-nib MA-layt) A drug used to treat gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) that have not responded to treatment with imatinib mesylate…
sunscreenA substance that helps protect the skin from the sun's harmful rays. Sunscreens reflect, absorb, and scatter both ultraviolet A and B radiation to provide…
SuperficialAffecting cells on the surface. Not invasive.
superfractionated radiation therapy(SOO-per FRAK-shuh-NAYT-ed RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee) Radiation therapy that gives smaller doses (fractions) of radiation more often than standard…
superior vena cavaThe large vein that carries blood from the head, neck, arms, and chest to the heart.
superior vena cava syndromeA condition in which a tumor presses against the superior vena cava (the large vein that carries blood from the head, neck, arms, and chest to the heart).
supplemental nutrition(SUH-pleh-MEN-tul noo-TRIH-shun) A substance or product that is added to a person's diet to make sure they get all the nutrients they need.
supplemental oxygen therapy(SUH-pleh-MEN-tul OK-sih-jen THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment in which a storage tank of oxygen or a machine called a compressor is used to give oxygen to people…
support groupA group of people with similar disease who meet to discuss how better to cope with their disease and treatment.
supportive careCare given to improve the quality of life of patients who have a serious or life-threatening disease.
suppository(suh-POZ-ih-TOR-ee) A form of medicine contained in a small piece of solid material, such as cocoa butter or glycerin, that melts at body temperature.
supraclavicular lymph node(SOO-pruh-kla-VIH-kyuh-ler...) A lymph node located above the clavicle (collarbone).
supraglottic laryngectomy(SOO-prah-GLOT-ik LA-rin-JEK-toh-mee) An operation to remove the supraglottis, which is part of the larynx (voice box) above the vocal cords.
supraglottis(SOO-pra-GLOT-is) The upper part of the larynx (voice box), including the epiglottis; the area above the vocal cords.
suprarenal gland(SOO-pruh-REE-nul...) A small gland that makes steroid hormones, adrenaline, and noradrenaline.
supratentorial(soo-pruh-ten-TOR-ee-ul) Having to do with the upper part of the brain.
suramin(SOO-rah-min) A drug that is used to treat infections caused by parasites. It is also being studied in the treatment of cancer.
surface electrode(SER-fuss ee-LEK-trode) A small device that is attached to the skin to measure or cause electrical activity in the tissue under it.
SurgeonA doctor who removes or repairs a part of the body by operating on the patient.
SurgeryA procedure to remove or repair a part of the body or to find out whether disease is present; an operation.
surgical biopsy(SER-jih-kul BY-op-see) The removal of tissues by a surgeon for examination by a pathologist. The pathologist may study the tissue under a microscope.
surgical castrationSurgical removal of the testicles (orchiectomy) or ovaries (oophorectomy) to stop the production of sex hormones.
surgical oncologist(SER-jih-kul on-KAH-loh-jist) A doctor who performs biopsies and other surgical procedures in cancer patients.
Surveillance(ser-VAY-lents) In medicine, the ongoing collection of information about a disease, such as cancer, in a certain group of people.
Surveillance Data (Cancer)Data is used to monitor changes in cancer in a population. Included are measures of cancer incidence, morbidity, survival, prevalence and mortality.
SurvivalSurvival examines how long after diagnosis people live. Cancer survival is measured in a number of different ways depending on the intended purpose.
survival rate(ser-VY-vul ...) The percentage of people in a study or treatment group who are alive for a certain period of time after they were diagnosed with or…
Survival, Cause-specificA measure of net survival that is calculated by using the cause of death listed on death certificates to estimate the proportion of deaths due to cancer.
Survival, NetSurvival from cancer that is calculated in the absence of other causes of death.
Survival, ObservedAn estimate of the probability of surviving all causes of death for a specified time interval calculated from the cohort of cancer cases.
Survival, PeriodA newer method for calculating survival that uses only information from the most recent calendar years available.
Survival, Progression-FreeThe length of time during and after treatment in which a patient is living with a disease that does not get worse.
Survival, RelativeA measure of net survival that is calculated by comparing observed (overall) survival with expected survival from a comparable set of people that do not…
survivor(ser-VY-ver) One who remains alive and continues to function after overcoming difficulties or life-threatening diseases like cancer.
Survivorship(ser-VY-ver-ship) In cancer, survivorship covers the physical, psychosocial, and economic issues of cancer, from diagnosis until the end of life.
Sutent(SOO-tent) A drug used to treat gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) that have not responded to treatment with imatinib mesylate (Gleevec).
SV40Simian virus 40. A virus that infects some types of monkeys. It may also infect humans, and was found in some polio vaccines tested in the early 1960s.
sweet elmThe inner bark of this plant has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems. It may have antioxidant effects.
SWSA rare, congenital disorder that affects the brain, skin, and eyes. Abnormal blood vessel growth occurs in the trigeminal nerve in the face and the…
sympathetic nervous system(SIM-puh-THEH-tik NER-vus SISS-tum) The part of the nervous system that increases heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, and pupil size.
SymptomA sign or indication that a person has a condition or disease. Some examples of symptoms are headache, fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and pain.
symptom managementCare given to improve the quality of life of patients who have a serious or life-threatening disease.
symptomaticHaving to do with symptoms, which are signs of a condition or disease.
syncytiumA large cell-like structure formed by the joining together of two or more cells. The plural is syncytia.
syndrome(SIN-drome) A set of symptoms or conditions that occur together and suggest the presence of a certain disease or an increased chance of developing the…
synergistic(SIH-ner-JIS-tik) In medicine, describes the interaction of two or more drugs when their combined effect is greater than the sum of the effects seen when…
Syngeneic(SIN-juh-NAY-ik) Having to do with individuals or tissues that have identical genes.
syngeneic bone marrow transplantation(SIN-jeh-NAY-ik bone MAYR-oh tranz-plan-TAY-shun) A procedure in which a person receives bone marrow donated by his or her healthy identical twin.
syngeneic stem cell transplantation(SIN-jeh-NAY-ik stem sel tranz-plan-TAY-shun) A procedure in which a patient receives blood-forming stem cells (cells from which all blood cells develop)…
synovial membraneA layer of connective tissue that lines the cavities of joints, tendon sheaths, and bursae (fluid-filled sacs between tendons and bones).
synovial sarcomaA malignant tumor that develops in the synovial membrane of the joints.
synovitis(SIH-noh-VY-tis) Inflammation (swelling, pain, and warmth) of a synovial membrane, which is a layer of connective tissue that lines a joint, such as the…
synthetic(sin-THEH-tik) Having to do with substances that are man-made instead of taken from nature.
synthetic protegrin analog(sin-THEH-tik proh-TEH-grin A-nuh-log) A form of a protegrin that is made in the laboratory.
synthetic retinoid(sin-THET-ik RET-in-oyd) A substance related to vitamin A that is produced in a laboratory.
syringeA small hollow tube used for injecting or withdrawing liquids. It may be attached to a needle in order to withdraw fluid from the body or inject drugs…