Chantix(CHAN-tix) A drug used to help people stop smoking by acting the same way nicotine acts in the brain. It is a type of nicotine receptor partial agonist.
chaplain(CHA-plin) A member of the clergy in charge of a chapel or who works with the military or with an institution, such as a hospital.
charged-particle radiation therapy(⦠PAR-tih-kul RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee) A type of external radiation therapy that uses a special machine to make invisible, high-energy…
chelating agent(KEE-lay-ting AY-jent) A chemical compound that binds tightly to metal ions. In medicine, chelating agents are used to remove toxic metals from the body.
chemical imbalance(KEH-mih-kul im-BA-lunts) Too much or too little of any substance that helps the body work the way it should.
chemoembolizationA procedure in which the blood supply to the tumor is blocked surgically or mechanically and anticancer drugs are administered directly into the tumor.
chemoimmunotherapy(KEE-moh-IH-myoo-noh-THAYR-uh-pee) Chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy. Chemotherapy uses different drugs to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells…
chemoprevention(KEE-mo-pre-VEN-shun) The use of drugs, vitamins, or other agents to try to reduce the risk of, or delay the development or recurrence of, cancer.
chemoprevention studyIn cancer prevention, a clinical trial that studies whether taking certain medicines, vitamins, minerals, or food supplements can prevent cancer.
chemoprotectiveA quality of some drugs used in cancer treatment. Chemoprotective agents protect healthy tissue from the toxic effects of anticancer drugs.
chemoradiationTreatment that combines chemotherapy with radiation therapy. Also called chemoradiotherapy.
chemoradiotherapy(KEE-moh-RAY-dee-oh-THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment that combines chemotherapy with radiation therapy. Also called chemoradiation .
chemosensitivityThe susceptibility of tumor cells to the cell-killing effects of anticancer drugs.
chemosensitivity assayA laboratory test that measures the number of tumor cells that are killed by a cancer drug.
chemosensitizerA drug that makes tumor cells more sensitive to the effects of chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy(KEE-moh-THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment with drugs that kill cancer cells.
chest wallThe muscles, bones, and joints that make up the area of the body between the neck and the abdomen.
chest X-rayAn x-ray of the structures inside the chest. An x-ray is a type of high-energy radiation that can go through the body and onto film, making pictures of…
chiasma(ki-AZ-ma) An anatomy term for an X-shaped crossing (for example, of nerves or tendons).
child-life workerA professional who is responsible for making a child's hospital and treatment experience less scary.
chimeric(ky-MEER-ik) Having parts of different origins. In medicine, refers to a person, organ, or tissue that contains cells with different genes than the rest…
Chinese meridian theory(chy-NEEZ meh-RID-ee-un THEER-ee) In traditional Chinese medicine, meridians are channels that form a network in the body, through which qi (vital energy)…
Chinese rhubarb(chy-NEEZ ROO-barb) The root of this plant has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems.
CHIR-265A substance being studied in the treatment of melanoma. CHIR-265 may block the growth of tumors and the growth of blood vessels from surrounding tissue to…
chitinA type of polysaccharide (sugar molecule) that is made by some plants and animals.
chlorambucilAn anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called alkylating agents.
chlorineA chemical used to disinfect water and as a bleach.
chloromaA malignant, green-colored tumor of myeloid cells (a type of immature white blood cell). This tumor is usually associated with myelogenous leukemia.
chloroquinoxaline sulfonamide(KLOR-oh-kwih-NOK-sah-leen sul-FAH-nuh-MIDE) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of topoisomerase inhibitor.
cholangiocarcinomaA rare type of cancer that develops in cells that line the bile ducts in the liver.
cholangiosarcoma(ko-LAN-jee-o-sar-KO-ma) A tumor of the connective tissues of the bile ducts.
cholecalciferol(KOH-leh-kal-SIH-fuh-rol) A nutrient that helps the body use calcium and phosphorus and make strong bones and teeth.
cholelithSolid material that forms in the gallbladder or common bile duct. Choleliths are made of cholesterol or other substances found in the gallbladder.
cholestasisAny condition in which the release of bile from the liver is blocked. The blockage can occur in the liver (intrahepatic cholestasis) or in the bile ducts…
cholesterol(kuh-LESS-tuh-rawl) A waxy, fat-like substance made in the liver, and found in the blood and in all cells of the body.
choline magnesium trisalicylate(KOH-leen mag-NEE-see-um TRY-suh-LIH-sih-LAYT) A substance used to treat arthritis and relieve pain, inflammation, and fever.
chondrocyteCartilage cell. Chondrocytes make the structural components of cartilage.
chondroitin sulfateThe major glycosaminoglycan (a type of sugar molecule) in cartilage.
chondrosarcoma(KON-droh-sar-KOH-muh) A type of cancer that forms in bone cartilage. It usually starts in the pelvis (between the hip bones), the shoulder, the ribs, or…
chordoma(kor-DO-ma) A type of bone cancer that usually starts in the lower spinal cord.
chorioadenoma destruens(KOR-ee-oh-A-deh-NOH-muh des-TROO-ens) A type of cancer that grows into the muscular wall of the uterus.
chorioallantoic membraneThe membrane in hens' eggs that helps chicken embryos get enough oxygen and calcium for development. The calcium comes from the egg shell.
chorioblastoma(KOR-ee-oh-blas-TOH-muh) A malignant, fast-growing tumor that develops from trophoblastic cells (cells that help an embryo attach to the uterus and help…
choriocarcinoma(KOR-ee-oh-KAR-sih-NOH-muh) A malignant, fast-growing tumor that develops from trophoblastic cells (cells that help an embryo attach to the uterus and…
chorioepithelioma(KOR-ee-oh-EH-pih-THEE-lee-OH-muh) A malignant, fast-growing tumor that develops from trophoblastic cells (cells that help an embryo attach to the uterus…
chorionic carcinoma(KOR-ee-AH-nik KAR-sih-NOH-muh) A malignant, fast-growing tumor that develops from trophoblastic cells (cells that help an embryo attach to the uterus and…
choroid(KOR-oid) A thin layer of tissue that is part of the middle layer of the wall of the eye, between the sclera (white outer layer of the eye) and the retina…
choroid plexus tumor(KOR-oyd PLEK-sus TOO-mer) A rare type of cancer that occurs in the ventricles of the brain. It usually occurs in children younger than 2 years.
CHPPA procedure that bathes the abdominal cavity in fluid that contains anticancer drugs. This fluid is warmer than body temperature.
chromaffin cell(KROH-muh-fin ...) A type of cell that makes neurohormones (chemicals that are made by nerve cells and used to send signals to other cells) and releases…
chromium(KROH-mee-yum): A kind of metal that comes in different forms and is found in rocks and soil. Some forms are also produced during industrial processes.
Chromosome(KROH-muh-some) Part of a cell that contains genetic information. Except for sperm and eggs, all human cells contain 46 chromosomes.
chronic(KRAH-nik) A disease or condition that persists or progresses over a long period of time.
chronic eosinophilic leukemia(KRAH-nik EE-oh-SIH-noh-FIH-lik loo-KEE-mee-uh) A disease in which too many eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) are found in the bone marrow, blood…
chronic fatigue syndrome(KRAH-nik fuh-TEEG SIN-drome) A condition lasting for more than 6 months in which a person feels tired most of the time and may have trouble concentrating…
chronic granulocytic leukemia(KRAH-nik GRAN-yoo-loh-SIH-tik loo-KEE-mee-uh) A slowly progressing disease in which too many white blood cells (not lymphocytes) are made in the bone…
chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis(KRAH-nik IH-dee-oh-PA-thik MY-eh-loh-fy-BROH-sis) A progressive, chronic disease in which the bone marrow is replaced by fibrous tissue and blood is made…
chronic leukemia(KRAH-nik loo-KEE-mee-uh) A slowly progressing cancer that starts in blood-forming tissues such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of white…
chronic lymphoblastic leukemia(KRAH-nik LIM-foh-BLAS-tik loo-KEE-mee-uh) A slow-growing type of leukemia (blood cancer) in which too many lymphoblasts (immature white blood cells) are…
chronic lymphocytic leukemia(KRAH-nik LIM-foh-SIH-tik loo-KEE-mee-uh) A slow-growing type of leukemia (blood cancer) in which too many lymphoblasts (immature white blood cells) are…
chronic myelogenous leukemia(KRAH-nik MY-eh-LAH-jeh-nus loo-KEE-mee-uh) A slowly progressing disease in which too many white blood cells (not lymphocytes) are made in the bone marrow.
chronic myeloid leukemia(KRAH-nik MY-eh-loyd loo-KEE-mee-uh) A slowly progressing disease in which too many white blood cells (not lymphocytes) are made in the bone marrow.
chronic myelomonocytic leukemia(KRAH-nik MY-eh-loh-MAH-noh-SIH-tik loo-KEE-mee-uh) A slowly progressing type of myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative disease in which too many…
chronic neutrophilic leukemia(KRAH-nik NOO-tro-FIH-lik loo-KEE-mee-uh) A disease in which too many neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) are found in the blood.
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(KRAH-nik ob-STRUK-tiv PUL-muh-NAYR-ee dih-ZEEZ) A type of lung disease marked by permanent damage to tissues in the lungs, making it hard to breathe.
chronic pain(KRAH-nik payn) Pain that can range from mild to severe, and persists or progresses over a long period of time.
chronic phase(KRAH-nik fayz) Refers to the early stages of chronic myelogenous leukemia or chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
chronic phase chronic myelogenous leukemia(KRAH-nik FAYZ KRAH-nik MY-eh-LAH-jeh-nus loo-KEE-mee-uh) A phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia in which fewer than 10% of the cells in the blood and…
CHS 828A drug that is being studied in the treatment of solid tumors.
CI-1033A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. CI-1033 blocks the action of proteins called epidermal growth factor receptors, and…
CI-958A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. CI-958 binds to DNA and stops cells, including cancer cells, from repairing damage to…
CI-980An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called mitotic inhibitors. Also called mivobulin isethionate.
CI-994A substance being studied in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Also called N-acetyldinaline.
cidofovirA drug used in the treatment of infections caused by viruses.
cilengitideA substance that is being studied as an anticancer and antiangiogenesis drug. Also called EMD 121974.
ciliary body(SIH-lee-ayr-ee ...) A part of the middle layer of the wall of the eye. The ciliary body includes the ring-shaped muscle that changes the size of the…
cimetidineA drug usually used to treat stomach ulcers and heartburn. It is also commonly used in a regimen to prevent allergic reactions.
CINGrowth of abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix. Numbers from 1 to 3 may be used to describe how abnormal the cells are and how much of the cervical…
CIN 1A condition in which slightly abnormal cells grow on the thin layer of tissue that covers the cervix.
CIN 2A condition in which moderately abnormal cells grow on the thin layer of tissue that covers the cervix.
CIN 2/3A condition in which abnormal cells grow on the thin layer of tissue that covers the cervix (the lower, narrow end of the uterus).
CIN 3Abnormal cells are found in the cervical epithelium (the innermost lining of the cervix).
CiproA drug that is used to treat infections caused by bacteria and is being studied in the treatment of bladder cancer. Cipro is a type of fluoroquinolone.
ciprofloxacin(sip-roe-FLOX-a-sin) A drug that is used to treat infections caused by bacteria and is being studied in the treatment of bladder cancer.
Circulation(ser-kyoo-LAY-shun) In the body, the flow of blood through the heart and blood vessels, and the flow of lymph through the lymph vessels.
circulatory system(SER-kyoo-lah-tor-ee SIS-tem) The system that contains the heart and the blood vessels and moves blood throughout the body.
circumcision(SUR-kum-SIH-zhun) Surgery to remove part or all of the foreskin (loose skin that covers the head of the penis).
cirrhosisA type of chronic, progressive liver disease in which liver cells are replaced by scar tissue.
CISThe CIS is the National Cancer Institute's link to the public, interpreting and explaining research findings in a clear and understandable manner, and…
cisplatin(sis-PLA-tin) A drug used to treat many types of cancer. Cisplatin contains the metal platinum.
citalopram(sy-TAL-oh-pram) A drug used to treat depression. It belongs to the families of drugs called antidepressant agents and selective serotonin reuptake…
citric acid/potassium-sodium citrate(SIH-trik A-sid/poh-TAH-see-um-SOH-dee-um SIH-trayt) A drug used in the treatment of metabolic acidosis (a disorder in which the blood is too acidic).
Citrovorum factor(sih-troh-VOR-um FAK-ter) The active ingredient in a drug used to reduce the toxic effects of folic acid antagonists (substances that block the action of…
cladribineAn anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called antimetabolites.
clarithromycinAn antibiotic drug used in the treatment of infections. It belongs to the family of drugs called macrolides.
classical Hodgkin lymphoma(KLA-sih-kul HOJ-kin lim-FOH-muh) The most common type of Hodgkin lymphoma, which is a cancer of the immune system.
Claus modelA computer program that uses statistics to predict a person's risk for developing breast cancer based on family history.