dipyridamoleA drug that prevents blood cell clumping and enhances the effectiveness of fluorouracil and other chemotherapeutic agents.
direct ophthalmoscopy(⦠OP-thal-MOS-koh-pee) An exam of the inside of the back of the eye using an ophthalmoscope (a flashlight-sized instrument with a light source…
Discharge(DIS-charj) In medicine, a fluid that comes out of the body. Discharge can be normal or a sign of disease.
DiseaseA disordered or incorrectly functioning organ, part, structure, or system of the body resulting from the effect of genetic or developmental errors…
disease-free survival(dih-ZEEZ... ser-VY-vul) The length of time after treatment for a specific disease during which a patient survives with no sign of the disease.
disease-specific survival rate(dih-ZEEZ-speh-SIH-fik ser-VY-vul ...) The percentage of people in a study or treatment group who have not died from a specific disease in a defined…
disorder(dis-OR-der) In medicine, a disturbance of normal functioning of the mind or body. Disorders may be caused by genetic factors, disease, or trauma.
disorientation(dis-OR-ee-en-TAY-shun) A mental state marked by confusion about time, place, or who one is.
disseminate(dih-SEM-ih-NATE) Scatter or distribute over a large area or range.
distalIn medicine, refers to a part of the body that is farther away from the center of the body than another part.
distal pancreatectomy(DIS-tul PAN-kree-uh-TEK-toh-mee) Removal of the body and tail of the pancreas.
distant cancerRefers to cancer that has spread from the original (primary) tumor to distant organs or distant lymph nodes. Also known as distant metastasis.
distant metastasis(...meh-TAS-tuh-sis) Refers to cancer that has spread from the original (primary) tumor to distant organs or distant lymph nodes.
distractionIn medicine, a pain relief method that takes the patient's attention away from the pain.
distress(dih-STRESS) Extreme mental or physical pain or suffering.
disulfiramA drug that slows the metabolism of retinoids, allowing them to act over a longer period of time.
diureticA drug that increases the production of urine.
diverticulosisA condition marked by small sacs or pouches (diverticula) in the walls of an organ such as the stomach or colon.
DJ-927A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of taxane derivative.
DNAThe molecules inside cells that carry genetic information and pass it from one generation to the next. Also called deoxyribonucleic acid.
DNA cytometry(si tom" eh tree') is a test sometimes used to help predict the aggressiveness of a tumor.
DNA gene-expression microarray(⦠JEEN-ek-SPREH-shun MY-kroh-uh-RAY) A process that allows thousands of pieces of DNA that are fixed to a glass slide to be analyzed at one…
DNA methylase(⦠MEH-thih-LAYZ) An enzyme (a protein that speeds up chemical reactions in the body) that attaches a methyl group to DNA.
DNA methyltransferase(... MEH-thul-TRANZ-fer-ayz) An enzyme (a protein that speeds up chemical reactions in the body) that attaches a methyl group to DNA.
DNA or deoxyribonucleic acidsubstances in the body that make up the genes and carry gentic (inherited) information.
DNA replication(⦠reh-plih-KAY-shun) The process by which a copy of the DNA in a cell is made before the cell divides.
DNR orderA type of advance directive in which a person states that healthcare providers should not perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (restarting the heart) if…
do not resuscitate order(â¦ree-SUH-sih-TAYTâ¦) A type of advance directive in which a person states that healthcare providers should not perform…
docetaxel(doh-seh-TAK-sel) A drug used together with other drugs to treat certain types of breast cancer, stomach cancer, prostate cancer, and certain types of…
dockA plant that has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems. It may have anticancer effects. The scientific name is Rumex acetosella .
dolasetron(doh-LAH-seh-tron) The active ingredient in a drug used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatment.
dolasetron mesylate(doh-LAH-seh-tron MEH-zih-layt) A drug used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatment.
dolastatin 10(DOH-luh-STA-tin â¦) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer.
donepezil(doh-NEP-eh-zil) A drug that is used to treat Alzheimer disease and is being studied in the treatment of side effects caused by radiation therapy to the…
dong quai(dahng-kwye) An herb native to China. A substance taken from the roots has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat menstrual and menopausal…
donor lymphocyte infusion(DOH-ner LIM-foh-site in-FYOO-zhun) A type of therapy in which lymphocytes from the blood of a donor are given to a patient who has already received a…
dornase alfa inhalation solution(DOR-nayz AL-fuh in-huh-LAY-shun suh-LOO-shun) A drug given in an aerosol mist to decrease the thickness of mucus in the lungs of patients with cystic…
doseThe amount of medicine taken, or radiation given, at one time.
dose-dense chemotherapy(DOSE-dents KEE-moh-THAYR-uh-pee) A chemotherapy treatment plan in which drugs are given with less time between treatments than in a standard chemotherapy…
dose-dependentRefers to the effects of treatment with a drug. If the effects change when the dose of the drug is changed, the effects are said to be dose-dependent.
dose-limitingDescribes side effects of a drug or other treatment that are serious enough to prevent an increase in dose or level of that treatment.
dose-rateThe strength of a treatment given over a period of time.
dosimetrist(do-SIM-uh-trist) A person who determines the proper radiation dose for treatment.
dosimetry(doh-SIH-muh-tree) Measurement of radiation exposure from x-rays, gamma rays, or other types of radiation used in the treatment or detection of diseases…
double-blindedA clinical trial in which neither the medical staff nor the person knows which of several possible therapies the person is receiving.
Double-contrast barium enemaA procedure in which x-rays of the colon and rectum are taken after a liquid containing barium is put into the rectum.
doubling time(DUH-bling...) In biology, the amount of time it takes for one cell to divide or for a group of cells (such as a tumor) to double in size.
douche (DOOSH)A procedure in which water or a medicated solution is used to clean the vagina and cervix.
Down syndrome(...SIN-drome) A disorder caused by the presence of an extra chromosome 21 and characterized by mental retardation and distinguishing physical features.
Dox-SLA form of the anticancer drug doxorubicin that is contained in very tiny, fat-like particles.
doxazosin(dox-AY-zoh-sin) A drug used to treat high blood pressure and urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate.
doxazosin mesylate(dox-AY-zoh-sin MEH-zih-layt) A drug used to treat high blood pressure and urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate.
doxercalciferolA substance being studied in the prevention of recurrent prostate cancer. It is a type of vitamin D analog.
Doxil(DOK-sil) A form of the anticancer drug doxorubicin that is contained in very tiny, fat-like particles.
doxorubicin(DOK-soh-ROO-bih-sin) A drug that is used to treat many types of cancer and is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.
doxorubicin hydrochloride(DOK-soh-ROO-bih-sin HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A drug that is used to treat many types of cancer and is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.
doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome(DOK-soh-ROO-bih-sin HY-droh-KLOR-ide LY-poh-SOME) A form of the anticancer drug doxorubicin that is contained in very tiny, fat-like particles.
DoxycyclineAn antibiotic drug used to treat infection.
DPAA type of power of attorney. A power of attorney is a legal document that gives one person (such as a relative, lawyer, or friend) the authority to make…
DrainIn medicine, to remove fluid as it collects; or, a tube or wick-like device used to remove fluid from a body cavity, wound, or infected area.
DREAn examination in which a doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum to feel for abnormalities. Also called digital rectal examination.
DRIA set of guidelines developed by U.S. and Canadian scientists to give information about the role of nutrients in human health.
dronabinolA synthetic pill form of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), an active ingredient in marijuana that is used to treat nausea and vomiting associated with…
droperidol(droh-PAYR-ih-dol) A drug used to prevent nausea and vomiting in patients who receive anesthesia before surgery. It is also used to treat anxiety.
drugAny substance, other than food, that is used to prevent, diagnose, treat or relieve symptoms of a disease or abnormal condition.
drug abuse(...uh-BYOOS) The use of illegal drugs or the use of prescription or over-the-counter drugs for purposes other than those for which they are meant to be…
drug interaction(⦠IN-ter-AK-shun) A change in the way a drug acts in the body when taken with certain other drugs, herbals, or foods, or when taken with…
Drug resistanceThe failure of cancer cells, viruses, or bacteria to respond to a drug used to kill or weaken them.
drug toleranceA condition that occurs when the body gets used to a medicine so that either more medicine is needed or different medicine is needed.
dry orgasmSexual climax without the release of semen from the penis.
DSMBData and Safety Monitoring Board. An impartial group that oversees a clinical trial and reviews the results to see if they are acceptable.
DT388IL3 fusion protein(...FYOO-zhun PROH-teen) A substance being studied in the treatment of myeloid leukemia (a disease in which too many immature non-lymphocyte white blood…
DTGM fusion proteinAn anticancer drug formed by the combination of diphtheria toxin and a colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF).
DTHAn inflammatory response that develops 24 to 72 hours after exposure to an antigen that the immune system recognizes as foreign.
DU 145A cell line made from human prostate cancer cells that is used in the laboratory to study the way prostate cancer cells grow.
dual energy x-ray absorptiometric scan(... ub-SORP-shee-uh-MEH-trik SKAN) An imaging test that measures bone density (the amount of bone mineral contained in a certain volume of bone) by…
dual x-ray absorptiometry(... ub-SORP-shee-AH-meh-tree) An imaging test that measures bone density (the amount of bone mineral contained in a certain volume of bone) by passing…
duct (dukt)In medicine, a tube or vessel of the body through which fluids pass.
Duct Ectasia(duct eck-tay'-shuh) is a type of non-proliferative fibrocystic change. It is associated with a mass that can be felt around the nipple area.
ductal carcinomaThe most common type of breast cancer. It begins in the cells that line the milk ducts in the breast.
ductal carcinoma in situ(DUK-tal KAR-sih-NOH-muh in SYE-too) A noninvasive condition in which abnormal cells are found in the lining of a breast duct.
Ductal Carcinoma in situ (DCIS)(duck'-tul kar-sin-oh'-ma in si'-too) (also called Intraductal Carcinoma ) is noninvasive, which means that is has not spread out of the milk ducts to…
ductal lavage(DUK-tal luh-VAHZ) A method used to collect cells from milk ducts in the breast.
Ducts (milk)the part of the breast that carries the milk to the nipple.
Dukes A colorectal cancerCancer has spread beyond the innermost lining of the colon and/or rectum to the second and third layers and involves the inside wall of the colon and/or…
Dukes B colorectal cancerCancer has spread outside the colon and/or rectum to nearby tissue, but it has not gone into the lymph nodes. Also called stage II colorectal cancer.
Dukes C colorectal cancerTumor cells have spread to organs and lymph nodes near the colon/rectum. Also called stage III colorectal cancer.
Dukes classificationA staging system used to describe the extent of colorectal cancer. Stages range from A (early stage) to D (advanced stage).
Dukes D colorectal cancerCancer may have spread to nearby lymph nodes and has spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver or lungs. Also called stage IV colorectal cancer.
duloxetine(duh-LOX-uh-teen) A drug used to treat depression and peripheral neuropathy (pain, numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness in the hands or feet) that can…
duloxetine hydrochloride(duh-LOX-uh-teen HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A drug used to treat depression and peripheral neuropathy (pain, numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness in the hands…
dumping syndromeA condition that occurs when food or liquid moves too fast into the small intestine.
duodenitisInflammation of the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine that connects to the stomach).
duodenum(doo-ah-DEE-num) The first part of the small intestine that connects to the stomach.
durable power of attorney(DUR-uh-bul...uh-TER-nee) A type of power of attorney. A power of attorney is a legal document that gives one person (such as a relative, lawyer, or…
Duragesic(der-uh-JEE-sik) A drug used to treat moderate to severe pain that is ongoing and cannot be managed with other pain medicines.
dutasteride(duh-TAS-ter-ide) A drug used to treat symptoms of an enlarged prostate gland. It is being studied in the treatment of male hair loss and prostate cancer.
DX-52-1An anticancer drug that is a type of antitumor antibiotic. It is an anthracycline.