Cancer — page 14 of 60

Cancer terms

1301. CT-2106 A form of the anticancer drug camptothecin that may have fewer side effects and work better than camptothecin.
1302. CT-2584 A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It may prevent the growth of blood vessels from surrounding tissue into a solid tumor.
1303. CT-322 A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. CT-322 prevents the growth of new blood vessels needed for tumors to grow and may kill cancer cells.
1304. CT53518 A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. It may stop cancer cell growth by blocking certain enzymes and by preventing the…
1305. CTC A procedure in which a detailed picture of the colon is created by an x-ray machine linked to a computer. Also called computed tomographic colonography.
1306. Cubicin (KYOO-bih-sin) A drug used to treat certain bacterial skin and bloodstream infections in adults.
1307. Culture (KUL-chur) The beliefs, values, and behaviors that are shared within a group, such as a religious group or a nation.
1308. cultured cell A human, plant, or animal cell that has been adapted to grow in the laboratory.
1309. cultured cell line Cells of a single type (human, animal, or plant) that have been adapted to grow continuously in the laboratory and are used in research.
1310. cumulative dose In medicine, the total amount of a drug or radiation given to a patient over time; for example, the total dose of radiation given in a series of radiation…
1311. CUP A case in which cancer cells are found in the body, but the place where the cells first started growing (the origin or primary site) cannot be determined.
1312. cupping (KUP-ping) A procedure in which a rounded glass cup is warmed and placed upside down over an area of the body, creating suction that holds the cup to the…
1313. curcumin A yellow pigment of the spice turmeric that is being studied in cancer prevention.
1314. Cure To bring your credit account current by paying all past due accounts.
1315. curettage (kyoo-reh-TAHZH) Removal of tissue with a curette (a spoon-shaped instrument with a sharp edge).
1316. curette (kyoo-RET) A spoon-shaped instrument with a sharp edge.
1317. cutaneous (kyoo-TAY-nee-us) Having to do with the skin.
1318. cutaneous breast cancer Cancer that has spread from the breast to the skin.
1319. cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (kyoo-TAY-nee-us … lim-FOH-muh) Any of a group of T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas that begins in the skin as an itchy, red rash that can thicken…
1320. cyanocobalamin (SY-uh-NOH-koh-BA-luh-min) A vitamin that is needed to make red blood cells and DNA (the genetic material in cells) and to keep nerve cells healthy.
1321. cyanogenic glucoside A plant compound that contains sugar and produces cyanide.
1322. cyanosis Blue-colored skin caused by too little oxygen in the blood.
1323. CYC116 A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. It blocks certain enzymes involved in cell division and may kill cancer cells.
1324. cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor (SY-kloh-OK-sih-jeh-NASE in-HIH-bih-ter) COX inhibitor. A type of drug that is used to treat inflammation and pain, and is being studied in the prevention…
1325. cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitor (SY-kloh-OK-sih-jeh-NASE in-HIH-bih-ter) A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to relieve pain and inflammation.
1326. cyclooxygenase-2 (SY-kloh-OK-sih-jeh-NAYZ …) An enzyme that speeds up the formation of substances that cause inflammation and pain.
1327. cyclophosphamide An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called alkylating agents.
1328. cyclosporine A drug used to help reduce the risk of rejection of organ and bone marrow transplants by the body.
1329. Cymbalta (sim-BAL-tuh) A drug used to treat depression and peripheral neuropathy (pain, numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness in the hands or feet) that can…
1330. cyproheptadine (si-pro-HEP-ta-deen) A drug that is used to treat asthma, allergies, and colds, and to relieve itching caused by certain skin disorders.
1331. cyproterone acetate A synthetic hormone being studied for treatment of hot flashes in men with prostate cancer who have had both testicles removed by surgery.
1332. Cyst (sist) a sac or capsule in the body. It may be filled with fluid or other material.
1333. cyst (sist) A sac or capsule in the body. It may be filled with fluid or other material.
1334. cystectomy (sis-TEK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove all or part of the bladder (the organ that holds urine) or to remove a cyst (a sac or capsule in the body).
1335. cystic fibrosis A common hereditary disease in which exocrine (secretory) glands produce abnormally thick mucus.
1336. cystoprostatectomy (SIS-toh-pros-tuh-TEK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove the bladder (the organ that holds urine) and the prostate.
1337. cystosarcoma phyllodes (SIS-toh-sar-KOH-muh fih-LOH-deez) A type of tumor found in breast or prostate tissue. It is often large and bulky and grows quickly.
1338. cystoscope (SISS-toh-SKOPE) A thin, tube-like instrument used to look inside the bladder and urethra.
1339. cystoscopy (siss-TOSS-koh-pee) Examination of the bladder and urethra using a cystoscope, inserted into the urethra.
1340. cystourethrectomy (SIS-toh-yoo-ree-THREK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove the bladder (the organ that holds urine) and urethra (the tube through which urine leaves the body).
1341. cytarabine (sy-TAYR-uh-been) A drug used to treat certain types of leukemia and prevent the spread of leukemia to the meninges (three thin layers of tissue that…
1342. cytarabine liposome (sy-TAYR-uh-been LY-poh-SOME) A form of the anticancer drug cytarabine that is contained inside very tiny, fat-like particles.
1343. cytochlor (SY-toh-klor) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of radiosensitizer.
1344. cytochrome P450 enzyme system (SY-tuh-krome ... EN-zym SIS-tem) A group of enzymes involved in drug metabolism and found in high levels in the liver.
1345. Cytogenetics (SY-toh-jeh-NEH-tix) The study of chromosomes and chromosomal abnormalities.
1346. cytokine (SY-toh-kine) A substance that is made by cells of the immune system. Some cytokines can boost the immune response and others can suppress it.
1347. cytology (sy-TAH-loh-jee) The study of cells using a microscope.
1348. cytomegalovirus (SY-tuh-meh-guh-loh-VY-rus) A virus that may be carried in an inactive state for life by healthy individuals.
1349. Cytomel (SY-toh-mel) A drug that is used to treat certain thyroid (a gland located near the voice box) conditions.
1350. cytopenia (SY-toh-PEE-nee-uh) A reduction in the number of blood cells.
1351. Cytoplasm (SY-toh-PLA-zum) The fluid inside a cell but outside the cell's nucleus. Most chemical reactions in a cell take place in the cytoplasm.
1352. cytotoxic (SY-toh-TOK-sik) Cell-killing.
1353. cytotoxic chemotherapy (SY-toh-TOK-sik KEE-moh-THAYR-uh-pee) Anticancer drugs that kill cells, especially cancer cells.
1354. cytotoxic T cell (SY-toh-TOK-sik ... sel) A type of white blood cell that can directly destroy specific cells.
1355. D&C A procedure to remove tissue from the cervical canal or the inner lining of the uterus.
1356. D-1MT A substance being studied in the treatment of melanoma and many other types of cancer.
1357. D-20761 A synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) antagonist that suppresses LH and sex steroid levels.
1358. D-cycloserine (...SY-kloh-SER-een) A drug used to treat tuberculosis. It is also being studied in the treatment of pain and nerve problems (numbness, tingling) caused…
1359. da-huang (dah-hwong) The root of this plant has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems. It may have anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects.
1360. DACA A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of topoisomerase inhibitor. Also called acridine carboxamide.
1361. dacarbazine An anticancer drug that is a type of alkylating agent.
1362. dacliximab A monoclonal antibody that is being studied in the treatment of adult T-cell leukemia and in the treatment of cytopenia (low blood cell count).
1363. daclizumab A monoclonal antibody that is being studied in the treatment of adult T-cell leukemia and in the treatment of cytopenia (low blood cell count).
1364. Dacogen (DA-koh-jen) A drug that is used to treat myelodysplastic syndromes and is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.
1365. dactinomycin An anticancer drug that is a type of antitumor antibiotic.
1366. daidzein An isoflavone found in soy products. Soy isoflavones are being studied in the prevention of cancer.
1367. dalteparin (dul-TEP-uh-rin) A drug used to prevent blood clots from forming or to treat blood clots that have formed in patients with cancer or other conditions.
1368. dalteparin sodium (dul-TEP-uh-rin SOH-dee-um) A drug used to prevent blood clots from forming or to treat blood clots that have formed in patients with cancer or other…
1369. danazol A synthetic hormone that is a type of androgen and is used to treat endometriosis. It is being evaluated in the treatment of endometrial cancer.
1370. daptomycin (dap-toh-MY-sin) A drug used to treat certain bacterial skin and bloodstream infections in adults.
1371. darbepoetin alfa (dar-be-POE-e-tin AL-fa) A substance made in the laboratory that stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood cells.
1372. dark-field microscope A microscope (device used to magnify small objects) in which objects are lit at a very low angle from the side so that the background appears dark and the…
1373. dasatinib (da-SA-tih-nib) A drug used to treat certain types of chronic myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
1374. Data and Safety Monitoring Board An impartial group that oversees a clinical trial and reviews the results to see if they are acceptable.
1375. daunorubicin (DAW-noh-ROO-bih-sin) A drug used to treat acute leukemias and some other types of cancer.
1376. daunorubicin hydrochloride (DAW-noh-ROO-bih-sin HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A drug used to treat acute leukemias and some other types of cancer.
1377. DCIS A noninvasive condition in which abnormal cells are found in the lining of a breast duct.
1378. DDS A rare disorder that causes kidney failure before age 3, abnormal development of the sexual organs, and, in most cases, Wilms tumor (a type of kidney…
1379. De Novo (dih NO-vo) In cancer, the first occurrence of cancer in the body.
1380. de qi sensation (duh-CHEE sen-SAY-shun) Tingling, numbness, heaviness, and other feelings that occur after an acupuncture needle has been properly placed in the body.
1381. death cap A type of poisonous mushroom that has harmful effects on the kidneys and liver. It is responsible for most fatal cases of mushroom poisoning.
1382. Death Rate See Mortality.
1383. death rattle (... RA-tul) A gurgling sound that comes from the back of the throat of a dying person.
1384. debulking (dee-BUL-king) Surgical removal of as much of a tumor as possible. Debulking may increase the chance that chemotherapy or radiation therapy will kill all…
1385. deceased (dih-SEEST) Dead.
1386. decitabine (deh-SIT-uh-been) A drug that is used to treat myelodysplastic syndromes and is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.
1387. declopramide (deh-KLOH-pruh-mide) A substance that blocks the process cells use to repair DNA. It may help anticancer drugs and radiation kill more cancer cells.
1388. decortication (de-KOR-tih-KAY-shun) Removal of part or all of the external surface of an organ.
1389. deferasirox (deh-FER-uh-SEER-ox) A drug used to treat too much iron in the blood caused by blood transfusions.
1390. deferoxamine An iron-chelating agent that removes iron from tumors by inhibiting DNA synthesis and causing cancer cell death.
1391. defibrotide A substance that is being studied in the prevention of veno-occlusive disease, a rare complication of high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation…
1392. deficiency (dih-FIH-shun-see) In medicine, a shortage of a substance (such as a vitamin or mineral) needed by the body.
1393. definitive treatment (deh-FIH-nih-tiv TREET-ment) The treatment plan for a disease or disorder that has been chosen as the best one for a patient after all other choices have…
1394. degenerative disease (dih-JEH-neh-ruh-tiv dih-ZEEZ) A disease in which the function or structure of the affected tissues or organs changes for the worse over time.
1395. dehydration A condition caused by the loss of too much water from the body. Severe diarrhea or vomiting can cause dehydration.
1396. dehydroepiandrosterone A substance being studied in the prevention of cancer. It is a type of steroid. Also called DHEA.
1397. Delayed Reporting See Reporting delay.
1398. delayed-type hypersensitivity response (...HY-per-SEN-sih-TIH-vih-tee reh-SPONTS) An inflammatory response that develops 24 to 72 hours after exposure to an antigen that the immune system…
1399. delirium (deh-LEER-ee-um) A mental state in which a person is confused, disoriented, and not able to think or remember clearly.
1400. dementia (deh-MEN-shuh) A condition in which a person loses the ability to think, remember, learn, make decisions, and solve problems.