folate antagonistA substance that blocks the activity of folic acid. Folate antagonists are used to treat cancer. Also called antifolate.
FOLFOXAn abbreviation for a type of combination chemotherapy that is used to treat colorectal cancer. It includes fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin.
folic acid(FOH-lik A-sid) A B-complex vitamin being studied as a cancer prevention agent. Also called folic acid. Also called folate.
folinic acid(foh-LIN-ik A-sid) The active ingredient in a drug used to reduce the toxic effects of folic acid antagonists (substances that block the action of folic…
follicular large cell lymphoma(fuh-LIH-kyoo-ler larj sel lim-FOH-muh) A rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system) with large cells that look cleaved (split) or…
follicular lymphoma(fuh-LIH-kyoo-ler lim-FOH-muh) A type of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (cancer of the immune system) that is usually indolent (slow-growing).
follicular mixed cell lymphoma(fuh-LIH-kyoo-ler miks'd sel lim-FOH-muh) An indolent (slow-growing) type of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system) in which there…
follicular thyroid cancer(fuh-LIH-kyoo-ler THY-royd KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in follicular cells in the thyroid. It grows slowly and is highly treatable.
follow-upMonitoring a person's health over time after treatment. This includes keeping track of the health of people who participate in a clinical study or…
fondaparinux(fon-duh-PAYR-ih-nux) A drug used to prevent blood clots from forming inside blood vessels in the leg.
fondaparinux sodium(fon-duh-PAYR-ih-nux SOH-dee-um) A drug used to prevent blood clots from forming inside blood vessels in the leg.
Food and Drug AdministrationAn agency in the U.S. federal government whose mission is to protect public health by making sure that food, cosmetics, and nutritional supplements are…
Fore milk(for milk) the high protein milk produced at the beginning of the feeding.
foreskin(FOR-skin) The loose skin that covers the head of the penis.
Formaldehyde(for-MAL-duh-hide) A chemical used in manufacturing and chemical industries, and as a preservative by anatomists, embalmers, and pathologists.
forodesine(FOR-oh-deh-seen) A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of leukemia and lymphoma.
forodesine hydrochloride(FOR-oh-deh-seen HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of leukemia and lymphoma.
Fosamax(FAH-suh-max) A drug used to treat certain bone conditions, such as osteoporosis and Paget disease of the bone.
fotemustineA substance being studied in the treatment of brain tumors and metastatic melanoma of the eye. It is a type of nitrosourea.
FR901228A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. FR901228 is a type of depsipeptide and histone deacetylase inhibitor. Also called romidepsin.
fractionationDividing the total dose of radiation therapy into several smaller, equal doses delivered over a period of several days.
Fragmin(FRAG-min) A drug used to prevent blood clots from forming or to treat blood clots that have formed in patients with cancer or other conditions.
frankincense tree(FRAN-kin-SENTSâ¦) A tree that belongs to the incense tree family. The tree's amber-colored resin is used in incense.
free radicalA highly reactive chemical that often contains oxygen and is produced when molecules are split to give products that have unpaired electrons (a process…
freeze-driedA method used to dry substances, such as food, to make them last longer. The substance is frozen and then dried in a vacuum.
frontal sinus(FRUN-tul SY-nus) A type of paranasal sinus (a hollow space in the bones around the nose).
fruit acid(FROOT A-sid) One of a group of substances that are found in several types of fruit and in milk.
FtorafurA substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. It is a combination of tegafur and uracil.
fulguration(ful-guh-RAY-shun) A procedure to destroy tissue (such as a tumor) using an electric current. Also called electrofulguration.
fulvestrant(fool-VES-trant) A drug used to treat certain types of breast cancer in postmenopausal women.
functional magnetic resonance imagingA noninvasive tool used to observe functioning in the brain or other organs by detecting changes in chemical composition, blood flow, or both.
functioning tumor(FUNK-shuh-ning TOO-mer) A tumor that is found in endocrine tissue and makes hormones (chemicals that travel in the bloodstream and control the actions of…
fundusThe larger part of a hollow organ that is farthest away from the organ's opening.
fungating lesionA type of skin lesion that is marked by ulcerations (breaks on the skin or surface of an organ) and necrosis (death of living tissue) and that usually has…
fungusA plant-like organism that does not make chlorophyll. Mushrooms, yeasts, and molds are examples. The plural is fungi.
fusion gene(FYOO-zhun JEEN) A gene made by joining parts of two different genes. Fusion genes may occur naturally in the body by transfer of DNA between chromosomes.
fusion protein(FYOO-zhun PROH-teen) A protein made from a fusion gene, which is created by joining parts of two different genes.
G-CSFA colony-stimulating factor that stimulates the production of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell).
gabapentinA substance that is being studied as a treatment for relieving hot flashes in women with breast cancer.
GADA condition marked by excessive worry and feelings of fear, dread, and uneasiness that last six months or longer.
gadolinium(GA-duh-LIH-nee-um) A metal element that is used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and other imaging methods.
gadolinium texaphyrin(GA-doh-LIH-nee-um tek-SA-fih-rin) A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer.
gadopentetate dimeglumine(GAD-oh-PEN-teh-tayt dy-MEG-loo-meen) A substance used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to help make clear pictures of the brain, spine, heart, soft…
Gail modelA computer program that uses personal and family history to estimate a woman's chance of developing breast cancer.
galiximab(gal-IX-ih-mab) A monoclonal antibody that is being studied in the treatment of follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
gallbladder(GAWL-bla-der) The pear-shaped organ found below the liver. Bile is concentrated and stored in the gallbladder.
gallbladder cancer(GAWL-bla-der KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in tissues of the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ below the liver that collects and stores…
gallium nitrateA drug that lowers blood calcium. Used as treatment for hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood) and for cancer that has spread to the bone (bone…
gallium scanA procedure to detect areas of the body where cells are dividing rapidly. It is used to locate cancer cells or areas of inflammation.
gallstoneSolid material that forms in the gallbladder or common bile duct. Gallstones are made of cholesterol or other substances found in the gallbladder.
galvanic skin response(gal-VA-nik ... reh-SPONTS) A change in the heat and electricity passed through the skin by nerves and sweat.
gamma irradiationA type of radiation therapy that uses gamma radiation. Gamma radiation is a type of high-energy radiation that is different from x-rays.
Gamma Knife therapyA treatment using gamma rays, a type of high-energy radiation that can be tightly focused on small tumors or other lesions in the head or neck, so very…
Gamma RayA type of high-energy radiation that is different from an x-ray.
ganciclovirAn antiviral agent used to prevent or treat cytomegalovirus infections that may occur when the body's immune system is suppressed.
gangliosideA complex molecule that contains both lipids (fats) and carbohydrates (sugars) and is found in the plasma (outer) membrane of many kinds of cells.
garden heliotropeA plant whose roots are used as a sedative and to treat certain medical conditions.
garden valerianA plant whose roots are used as a sedative and to treat certain medical conditions.
garlic(GAR-lik) A European plant that has a bulb used to flavor food. It has also been used in some cultures to treat certain medical conditions including high…
gastrectomy(ga-STREK-toh-mee) An operation to remove all or part of the stomach.
gastric atrophy(GAS-trik AT-ro-fee) A condition in which the stomach muscles shrink and become weak.
gastric cancer(GAS-trik KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in tissues lining the stomach. Also called stomach cancer .
gastric mucosal hypertrophy(GAS-trik myoo-KOH-sul hy-PER-troh-fee) A condition marked by inflammation and ulcers (breaks on the skin or on the surface of an organ) of the mucosa…
gastric refluxThe backward flow of stomach acid contents into the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach).
gastrin(GAS-trin) A group of hormones released after eating that control the amount of acid in the stomach.
gastrinoma(gas-trih-NOH-muh) A tumor that causes overproduction of gastric acid. It usually begins in the duodenum (first part of the small intestine that connects…
gastritisInflammation of the lining of the stomach.
Gastroenterologist(GAS-troh-EN-teh-RAH-loh-jist) A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the digestive system.
gastroesophageal reflux(GAS-tro-ee-SAH-fuh-JEE-ul REE-flux) The backward flow of stomach acid contents into the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach).
gastrointestinal(GAS-troh-in-TES-tih-nul) Refers to the stomach and intestines. Also called GI.
gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor(GAS-troh-in-TES-tih-nul KAR-sih-noyd TOO-mer) An indolent (slow-growing) cancer that forms in cells that make hormones in the lining of the…
gastrointestinal stromal tumorA type of tumor that usually begins in cells in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract. It can be benign or malignant. Also called GIST.
Gastrointestinal tract(GAS-troh-in-TES-tih-nul trakt) The stomach and intestines. The gastrointestinal tract is part of the digestive system, which also includes the salivary…
gastroscope(GASS-troh-SKOPE) A thin, tube-like instrument used to examine the inside of the stomach.
gastroscopy(gas-TROS-koh-pee) Examination of the inside of the stomach using a gastroscope passed through the mouth and esophagus.
gastrostomy tube(gas-TROS-toh-mee ...) A tube inserted through the wall of the abdomen directly into the stomach.
GBMA fast-growing type of central nervous system tumor that forms from glial (supportive) tissue of the brain and spinal cord and has cells that look very…
GC1008A monoclonal antibody being studied in the treatment of kidney cancer, melanoma, and pulmonary fibrosis.
Gd-DTPAA substance used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to help make clear pictures of the brain, spine, heart, soft tissue of joints, and inside bones.
GDC-0449A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It blocks a type of protein involved in tissue growth and repair and may block the growth of cancer…
gefitinib(geh-FIH-ty-nib) A drug that is used to treat certain types of non-small cell lung cancer and is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.
Gelclair(JEL-klayr) A gel used to lessen pain from mouth sores caused by chemotherapy or radiation therapy, oral surgery, braces, or disease.
geldanamycin analogAn antineoplastic antibiotic drug that belongs to the family of drugs called ansamycins.
GEM 231A drug that may inhibit the growth of malignant tumors.
GEM640A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. GEM640 may block a protein called XIAP so that chemotherapy is able to kill more tumor…
gemcitabine(jem-SITE-ah-been) A drug that is used to treat certain types of breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, and lung cancer and is being studied in…
gemcitabine hydrochloride(jem-SITE-ah-been HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A drug that is used to treat certain types of breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, and lung cancer and is…
gemtuzumab(gem-TOO-zeh-mab) A monoclonal antibody combined with a toxic substance that is used to treat certain types of acute myeloid leukemia in older patients…
gemtuzumab ozogamicin(gem-TOO-zeh-mab oh-zoh-GAM-ih-sin) A monoclonal antibody combined with a toxic substance that is used to treat certain types of acute myeloid leukemia in…
Gemzar(JEM-zar) A drug that is used to treat certain types of breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, and lung cancer and is being studied in the…
Genasense(JEN-uh-sents) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It may kill cancer cells by blocking the production of a protein that makes cancer…
GeneThe functional and physical unit of heredity passed from parent to offspring. Genes are pieces of DNA, and most genes contain the information for making a…