Cancer — page 15 of 60

Cancer terms

1401. Demerol (DEH-meh-ROL) A morphine-like drug used to relieve medium to severe pain. It is a type of opioid analgesic and may be habit-forming.
1402. dendritic cell A special type of antigen-presenting cell (APC) that activates T lymphocytes.
1403. dendritic cell vaccine A vaccine made of antigens and dendritic antigen-presenting cells (APCs).
1404. Denial An insurance company decision to withhold a claim payment or preauthorization. A denial may be made because the medical service is not covered, not…
1405. denileukin diftitox (DEN-ih-LOO-kin DIF-tih-tox) A substance used to treat cutaneous T-cell lymphoma when other treatments have not worked.
1406. denomination (deh-NAH-mih-NAY-shun) In religion, describes a group whose members are organized under a common name and set of rules and have common beliefs and…
1407. denosumab (den-oh-SOO-mab) A type of monoclonal antibody being studied in the treatment of multiple myeloma (a cancer that forms in bones) and in the prevention and…
1408. dental implant A metal, root-shaped device that is placed surgically in the jawbone. It acts as an anchor for attaching false teeth (crowns or bridges).
1409. dentist A health professional who specializes in caring for the teeth, gums, and other tissues in the mouth.
1410. Denys-Drash syndrome 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…
1411. deoxycytidine A drug that protects healthy tissues from the toxic effects of anticancer drugs.
1412. deoxyribonucleic acid (dee-OK-see-RY-boh-noo-KLEE-ik A-sid) The molecules inside cells that carry genetic information and pass it from one generation to the next.
1413. Depo-Cyt (DEE-poh-SITE) A form of the anticancer drug cytarabine that is contained inside very tiny, fat-like particles.
1414. Depression A depression is a severe and prolonged downturn in the economy. Prices fall, reducing purchasing power.
1415. depsipeptide A substance that is made naturally by some bacteria, fungi, and other organisms, and can also be made in the laboratory.
1416. Derivative Derivatives are financial products, such as futures contracts, options, and mortgage-backed securities.
1417. dermatitis (DER-muh-TY-tis) Inflammation of the skin.
1418. dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DER-ma-toe-FI-bro-sar-KO-ma pro-TOO-ber-anz) A type of tumor that begins as a hard nodule and grows slowly.
1419. dermatologist (der-muh-TAH-loh-jist) A doctor who has special training to diagnose and treat skin problems.
1420. dermis (DER-mis) The lower or inner layer of the two main layers of tissue that make up the skin.
1421. dermoid cyst (DER-moyd sist) A type of benign (noncancerous) germ cell tumor (type of tumor that begins in the cells that give rise to sperm or eggs) that often…
1422. DES A synthetic form of the hormone estrogen that was prescribed to pregnant women between about 1940 and 1971 because it was thought to prevent miscarriages.
1423. deslorelin A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer as a way to block sex hormones made by the ovaries or testicles.
1424. desmoid tumor A tumor of the tissue that surrounds muscles, usually in the abdomen. A desmoid tumor rarely metastasizes (spreads to other parts of the body).
1425. desmoplastic Causing or forming adhesions or fibrous connective tissue within a tumor.
1426. desmoplastic melanoma A rare form of malignant melanoma marked by nonpigmented lesions on sun-exposed areas of the body, most commonly on the head and neck.
1427. desmoplastic small round cell tumor (dez-mo-PLAS-tik...) A rare, aggressive cancer that usually affects young males and usually is located in the abdomen.
1428. detoxify (dee-TOX-ih-fy) To make something less poisonous or harmful. It may refer to the process of removing toxins, poisons, or other harmful substances from the…
1429. developmental stage (dee-VEH-lup-MEN-tul stayj) The physical, mental, and emotional stages a child goes through as he or she grows and matures.
1430. DEXA An imaging test that measures bone density (the amount of bone mineral contained in a certain volume of bone) by passing x-rays with two different energy…
1431. DEXA scan An imaging test that measures bone density (the amount of bone mineral contained in a certain volume of bone) by passing x-rays with two different energy…
1432. dexamethasone A synthetic steroid (similar to steroid hormones produced naturally in the adrenal gland).
1433. dexmethylphenidate A substance being studied in the treatment of fatigue and nervous system side effects caused by chemotherapy.
1434. dexrazoxane (DEKS-ruh-ZOK-sane) The active ingredient in a drug used to treat severe side effects caused by certain anticancer drugs.
1435. dexrazoxane hydrochloride (DEKS-ruh-ZOK-sane HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A drug used to treat severe side effects caused by certain anticancer drugs.
1436. dextroamphetamine-amphetamine A combination of drugs used as a treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy (a sleep disorder).
1437. dextromethorphan acetic acid (DEK-stroh-meh-THOR-fan uh-SEE-tik A-sid) An anticancer drug that is a type of angiogenesis inhibitor.
1438. DFMO A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. Also called difluoromethylornithine.
1439. DHA-paclitaxel (...PA-klih-TAK-sil) A combination of DHA (a natural fatty acid) and paclitaxel (an anticancer drug) being studied in the treatment of cancer.
1440. DHEA A substance being studied in the prevention of cancer. It is a type of steroid. Also called dehydroepiandrosterone.
1441. DHPLN A childhood condition in which abnormal tissue grows on the outer part of one or both kidneys.
1442. DHT A hormone made from testosterone in the prostate gland, testes, and some other tissues. It is needed for the formation of male sex characteristics.
1443. di-dgA-RFB4 An anticancer drug that is a combination of a monoclonal antibody (RFB4) and an immunotoxin (dgA).
1444. Diabetes Any of several diseases in which the kidneys make a large amount of urine. Diabetes usually refers to diabetes mellitus in which there is also a high…
1445. diabetes mellitus (dye-a-BEE-teez MEL-ih-tus) A group of disorders in which there is a defect in the transfer of glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream into cells, leading to…
1446. diagnose Doctors look at many things to find out if you have breast cancer. For example, they look at different physical signs, ask questions about your symptoms…
1447. Diagnosis The process of identifying a disease from its signs and symptoms using patient history, examination, and laboratory and other test results.
1448. diagnostic mammogram X-ray of the breasts used to check for breast cancer after a lump or other sign or symptom of breast cancer has been found.
1449. diagnostic procedure A method used to identify a disease.
1450. diagnostic trial A research study that evaluates methods of detecting disease.
1451. dialysis (dye-AL-ih-sis) The process of filtering the blood when the kidneys are not able to cleanse it.
1452. Diameter The length of a straight line that extends from one edge of a tumor or other object, through its center and to the opposite edge.
1453. Diaphragm. (DY-uh-fram) The thin muscle below the lungs and heart that separates the chest from the abdomen.
1454. Diarrhea Frequent and watery bowel movements.
1455. diathermy (DY-uh-THER-mee) A procedure in which tissue is heated to destroy abnormal cells.
1456. diazepam (dy-A-zeh-pam) A drug used to treat mild to moderate anxiety and tension and to relax muscles. It is a type of benzodiazepine. Also called Valium.
1457. diaziquone An anticancer drug that is able to cross the blood-brain barrier and kill cancer cells in the central nervous system. Also called AZQ.
1458. diclofenac (dy-KLOH-fen-ak) The active ingredient in a drug that is used to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and is being studied in the prevention and…
1459. diclofenac sodium (dy-KLOH-fen-ak SOH-dee-um) A drug that is used to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and is being studied in the prevention and treatment of some…
1460. diclofenac sodium gel (dy-KLOH-fen-ak SOH-dee-um JEL) The gel form of a drug that is used to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and is being studied in the prevention…
1461. didanosine A drug used in the treatment of infections caused by viruses.
1462. DIEP flap A type of breast reconstruction in which blood vessels called deep inferior epigastric perforators (DIEP), and the skin and fat connected to them are…
1463. diet The things a person eats and drinks.
1464. dietary counseling (DY-uh-TAYR-ee KOWN-suh-ling) A process by which a health professional with special training in nutrition helps people make healthy food choices and form…
1465. dietary protocol (DY-uh-TAYR-ee PROH-tuh-KOL) A detailed diet plan that states what, how, and when a person will eat and drink.
1466. Dietary Reference Intakes (DY-uh-TAYR-ee REH-feh-rens ...) A set of guidelines developed by U.S. and Canadian scientists to give information about the role of nutrients in human…
1467. dietary supplement (DY-uh-TAYR-ee SUH-pleh-ment) A product that is added to the diet. A dietary supplement is taken by mouth, and usually contains one or more dietary…
1468. diethylstilbestrol (dye-EH-thul-stil-BES-trol) A synthetic form of the hormone estrogen that was prescribed to pregnant women between about 1940 and 1971 because it was…
1469. dietitian (dy-eh-TIH-shun) A health professional with special training in nutrition who can help with dietary choices. Also called nutritionist.
1470. Differentiation In cancer, refers to how mature (developed) the cancer cells are in a tumor. Differentiated tumor cells resemble normal cells and tend to grow and spread…
1471. Differientiated (dif fer ren' che ay ted) tumor cells look very similar to normal cells. Pathologists look to see if tumor cells are well differentiated or poorly…
1472. diffuse Widely spread; not localized or confined.
1473. Diffuse cystic mastopathy See Fibrocystic breasts
1474. diffuse hyperplastic perilobar nephroblastomatosis (dih-FYOOS HY-per-PLAS-tik payr-ee-LOH-ber NEH-froh-blas-TOH-muh-TOH-sis) A childhood condition in which abnormal tissue grows on the outer part of one or…
1475. diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (lim-FOH-muh) A type of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (cancer of the immune system) that is usually aggressive (fast-growing).
1476. difluoromethylornithine A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. Also called DFMO.
1477. digestion (dy-JES-chun) The process of breaking down food into substances the body can use for energy, tissue growth, and repair.
1478. digestive system (dy-JES-tiv SIS-tem) The organs that take in food and turn it into products that the body can use to stay healthy.
1479. digestive tract (dy-JES-tiv) The organs through which food and liquids pass when they are swallowed, digested, and eliminated.
1480. digital mammography (DIH-jih-tul ma-MAH-gruh-fee) A technique that uses a computer, rather than x-ray film, to record x-ray images of the breast.
1481. digital photography (DIH-jih-tul fuh-TAH-gruh-fee) A type of photography in which images can be viewed on a computer screen.
1482. digital rectal examination (DIH-jih-tul REK-tul eg-zam-ih-NAY-shun) An examination in which a doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum to feel for abnormalities.
1483. digitalis (DIH-jih-TA-lis) A substance used to make drugs that are used to treat several heart conditions, including congestive heart failure.
1484. digoxin (dih-JOK-sin) A drug used to treat irregular heartbeat and some types of heart failure. It is also being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
1485. dihematoporphyrin ether (dy-HEE-muh-toh-POR-fih-rin EE-ther) Used in photodynamic therapy, a drug that is absorbed by tumor cells; when exposed to light, it becomes active and…
1486. dihydrotestosterone (dy-HY-droh-tes-TOS-teh-RONE) A hormone made from testosterone in the prostate gland, testes, and some other tissues.
1487. diindolylmethane (dy-IN-doh-lil-MEH-thayn) A substance being studied in the treatment of prostate cancer and in the prevention of cervical cancer.
1488. dilatation and curettage (DIH-luh-TA-shun and KYUR-eh-TAHJ) A procedure to remove tissue from the cervical canal or the inner lining of the uterus.
1489. dilate (DYE-late) To widen or enlarge an opening or hollow structure beyond its usual size, such as the pupil of the eye or a blood vessel.
1490. dilation and curettage (DY-LAY-shun and KYUR-eh-TAHJ) A procedure to remove tissue from the cervical canal or the inner lining of the uterus.
1491. dilator (DYE-lay-tor) A device used to stretch or enlarge an opening.
1492. dilute (dy-LOOT) To make something thinner, weaker, less concentrated, or less pure by adding something to it.
1493. DIM A substance being studied in the treatment of prostate cancer and in the prevention of cervical cancer.
1494. Dimericine (dy-MAYR-ih-seen) A lotion being studied in the treatment of skin cancer and a skin condition called xeroderma pigmentosum.
1495. dimesna A drug that belongs to the family of drugs called chemoprotective agents.
1496. dimethyl sulfoxide A colorless liquid that readily dissolves many chemicals and penetrates animal and plant tissues.
1497. dimethylxanthenone acetic acid (DY-MEH-thil-ZAN-theh-none uh-SEE-tik A-sid) An anticancer drug that is a type of angiogenesis inhibitor.
1498. diphenhydramine (dy-fen-HY-druh-meen) A drug used to treat allergies and relieve cough and itching caused by insect bites, sunburn, and poison oak or ivy.
1499. diphosphonate (dy-FOS-foh-nayt) A drug or substance used to treat hypercalcemia (abnormally high blood calcium) and bone pain caused by some types of cancer.
1500. Diploidy (dih ploy' dee) is a normal amount of DNA in cells.