gossypolAn anticancer drug extracted from the cotton plant.
gp100A tumor-specific antigen used in the development of cancer vaccines. Also called glycoprotein 100.
gp209-2MA peptide (short piece of protein) made from the tumor-specific antigen gp100, and used to make vaccines being studied in the treatment of melanoma.
gp96 heat shock protein-peptide complex vaccine(⦠PROH-teen PEP-tide KOM-plex vak-SEEN) A vaccine made from a patient's tumor cells that may help the body's immune system find and kill…
gp96 HSP-peptide complex(⦠PROH-teen PEP-tide KOM-plex) A vaccine made from a patient's tumor cells that may help the body's immune system find and kill cancer cells.
GPX-100An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called antitumor antibiotics. It is an anthracycline.
gradeThe grade of a tumor depends on how abnormal the cancer cells look under a microscope and how quickly the tumor is likely to grow and spread.
grade 1 follicular lymphoma(... fuh-LIH-kyoo-ler lim-FOH-muh) An indolent (slow-growing) type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma marked by enlarged lymph nodes and small cells that have…
grade 2 follicular lymphoma(... fuh-LIH-kyoo-ler lim-FOH-muh) An indolent (slow-growing) type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma marked by enlarged lymph nodes and a mix of large cells and…
grade 3 follicular lymphoma(... fuh-LIH-kyoo-ler lim-FOH-muh) A type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma marked by large cells and enlarged lymph nodes.
grade IV astrocytoma(... AS-troh-sy-TOH-muh) A fast-growing type of central nervous system tumor that forms from glial (supportive) tissue of the brain and spinal cord and…
gradingA system for classifying cancer cells in terms of how abnormal they appear when examined under a microscope.
graftHealthy skin, bone, or other tissue taken from one part of the body and used to replace diseased or injured tissue removed from another part of the body.
graft-versus-host disease(... dih-ZEEZ) A disease caused when cells from a donated stem cell graft attack the normal tissue of the transplant patient.
graft-versus-tumorAn immune response to a person's tumor cells by immune cells present in a donor's transplanted tissue, such as bone marrow or peripheral blood.
gramA unit of weight in the metric system. One gram is equal to one thousandth of a kilogram and is approximately 30-times less than an ounce.
granisetron(grah-NIH-seh-tron) The active ingredient in a drug used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatment.
granisetron hydrochloride(grah-NIH-seh-tron HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A drug used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatment.
Granulocyte(GRAN-yoo-loh-SITE) A type of white blood cell that fights bacterial infection. Neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils are granulocytes.
granulocyte colony-stimulating factor(GRAN-yoo-loh-SITE KAH-luh-nee STIM-yoo-LAY-ting FAK-ter) A colony-stimulating factor that stimulates the production of neutrophils (a type of white blood…
granulocytic sarcoma(GRAN-yoo-loh-SIH-tik sar-KOH-muh) A malignant, green-colored tumor of myeloid cells (a type of immature white blood cell).
granulocytopenia(GRAN-yoo-loh-SY-toh-PEE-nee-uh) A deficiency in the number of granulocytes, a type of white blood cell.
granulosa cell tumor(GRAN-yoo-LOH-suh SEL TOO-mer) A type of slow-growing, malignant tumor that usually affects the ovary.
gray elmThe inner bark of this plant has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems. It may have antioxidant effects.
green tea extractA substance that is being studied in the prevention of cancer. It is made from decaffeinated green tea, and contains chemicals called catechins, which are…
Greene Menopause IndexA tool used by researchers to study the symptoms of menopause. It is a standard list of 21 questions which women use to rate how much they are bothered by…
grief (GREEF)The normal response to a major loss, such as the death of a loved one. Grief may also be felt by a person with a serious, long-term illness or with a…
grief counseling(greef KOWN-suh-ling) The process by which a trained counselor or a support group helps a person work through normal feelings of sorrow after a loss, such…
grief therapy(greef THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment that helps a person work through a greater than normal reaction to a loss, such as the death of a loved one.
growth factor(grohth FAK-ter) A substance made by the body that functions to regulate cell division and cell survival.
growth hormoneA protein made by the pituitary gland that helps control body growth and the use of glucose and fat in the body. Also called somatotropin.
GTI-2040A substance that is being studied as a treatment for cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called antisense oligonucleotides.
guaiac(GWY-uk) A substance from a type of tree called Guaiacum that grows in the Caribbean.
gumsThe tissue of the upper and lower jaws that surrounds the base of the teeth. Also called gingiva.
GVHDA disease caused when cells from a donated stem cell graft attack the normal tissue of the transplant patient.
GW572016A drug used with another anticancer drug to treat breast cancer that is HER2 positive and has advanced or metastasized (spread to other parts of the body)…
GW786034A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor and angiogenesis inhibitor.
gynecologic(GY-neh-kuh-LAH-jik) Having to do with the female reproductive tract (including the cervix, endometrium, fallopian tubes, ovaries, uterus, and vagina).
gynecologic cancer(GY-neh-kuh-LAH-jik KAN-ser) Cancer of the female reproductive tract, including the cervix, endometrium, fallopian tubes, ovaries, uterus, and vagina.
gynecologic oncologist(GY-neh-kuh-LAH-jik on-KAH-loh-jist) A doctor who specializes in treating cancers of the female reproductive organs.
gynecologist(GY-neh-KAH-loh-jist) A doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the female reproductive organs.
Gynecomastia(guy'neh-co-mast"ee-uh) a condition in which firm breast tissue or breast enlargement occurs in males.
H. pyloriA type of bacterium that causes inflammation and ulcers in the stomach or small intestine. People with H.
hA20A monoclonal antibody that is being studied in the treatment of refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
HAARTHighly active antiretroviral therapy. Treatment for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection that uses a combination of several antiretroviral drugs.
hair follicle(FOL-i-kul) A shaft or opening on the surface of the skin through which hair grows.
hairy cell leukemia(HAYR-ee SEL loo-KEE-mee-uh) A rare type of leukemia in which abnormal B-lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) are present in the bone marrow, spleen…
Haldol(HAL-dol) A drug used to treat certain mental and neurological disorders. It is also being studied in the treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by some…
half-sibling(HAF-SIB-ling) A person's brother or sister who has one parent in common.
hallucination(huh-LOO-sih-NAY-shun) A sight, sound, smell, taste, or touch that a person believes to be real but is not real.
halofuginone hydrobromideA substance that is being studied for its ability to slow the growth of connective tissue and prevent the growth of new blood vessels to a solid tumor.
haloperidol(ha-loh-PAYR-ih-dol) A drug used to treat certain mental and neurological disorders.
Halsted radical mastectomy(HAWL-sted RA-dih-kul ma-STEK-toh-mee) Surgery for breast cancer in which the breast, chest muscles, and all of the lymph nodes under the arm are removed.
hamartoma(ham-ar-TOE-ma) A benign (noncancerous) growth made up of an abnormal mixture of cells and tissues normally found in the area of the body where the growth…
hand-foot syndromeA condition marked by pain, swelling, numbness, tingling, or redness of the hands or feet.
happy majorA plant whose seeds and root have been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems. It may have antioxidant effects.
hard palate(PAL-et) The front, bony part of the roof of the mouth.
hawthorn fruitThe fruit of the hawthorn tree or bush. It has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems, including heart problems and gastrointestinal…
hazard ratio(HA-zurd RAY-shee-oh) A measure of how often a particular event happens in one group compared to how often it happens in another group, over time.
HCAA chemical that is formed when meat, poultry, or fish is cooked at high temperatures, such as frying, broiling, and barbecuing.
HCD20A monoclonal antibody that is being studied in the treatment of refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
HCPHealthcare proxy. A type of advance directive that gives a person (such as a relative, lawyer, or friend) the authority to make healthcare decisions for…
hCRFA substance being studied in the treatment of brain cancer. It is made naturally by the hypothalamus (a part of the brain) and can also be made in the…
HDACAn enzyme that changes the way histone binds to DNA. HDAC inhibitors are being studied as a treatment for cancer. Also called histone deacetylase.
HDAC inhibitor(...in-HIH-bih-ter) A substance that causes a chemical change that stops tumor cells from dividing.
HDRAn amount of radiation that is greater than that given in typical radiation therapy.
head and neck cancerCancer that arises in the head or neck region (in the nasal cavity, sinuses, lips, mouth, salivary glands, throat, or larynx [voice box]).
healing touchA form of complementary and alternative medicine based on the belief that a vital energy flows through the human body.
healthcare proxyA type of advance directive that gives a person (such as a relative, lawyer, or friend) the authority to make healthcare decisions for another person.
healthy controlIn a clinical study, a person who does not have the disorder or disease being studied.
heart cancer(hart KAN-ser) A rare cancer that develops in tissues of the heart. Also called cardiac sarcoma.
heat shock protein(... PROH-teen) One of a group of proteins that help protect cells from stresses such as heat, cold, and low amounts of oxygen or glucose (sugar).
Hedyotis diffusaAn herb used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat certain medical problems.
helical computed tomography(HEH-lih-kul kum-PYOO-ted toh-MAH-gruh-fee) A detailed picture of areas inside the body.
Helicobacter pylori(HEEL-ih-koh-BAK-ter py-LOR-ee) A type of bacterium that causes inflammation and ulcers in the stomach or small intestine.
helper T cellA type of white blood cell that helps stimulate immune system reactions. Helper T cells help activate cytotoxic T cells and macrophages by secreting…
hemagglutinin-neuraminidaseA protein found in the outer coat of paramyxoviruses. This protein helps virus particles bind to cells, making infection easier.
hemangiopericytoma(heh-MAN-jee-oh-PAYR-ih-sy-TOH-muh) A type of cancer involving blood vessels and soft tissue.
hemangiosarcomaA type of cancer that begins in the cells that line blood vessels.
hematogenous(HEE-muh-TAH-jeh-nus) Originating in the blood or spread through the bloodstream.
hematologic cancer(HEE-muh-tuh-LAH-jik KAN-ser) A cancer of the blood or bone marrow, such as leukemia or lymphoma.
Hematologist(HEE-muh-TAH-loh-jist) A doctor who specializes in treating blood disorders.
hematoma(HEE-muh-TOH-muh) A pool of clotted or partially clotted blood in an organ, tissue, or body space, usually caused by a broken blood vessel.
Hematopoiesis(hee-MA-toh-poy-EE-sus) The formation of new blood cells.
hematopoietic growth factor(hee-MA-toh-poy-EH-tik ...) A group of proteins that causes blood cells to grow and mature.
hematopoietic tissue(hee-MA-toh-poy-EH-tik TIH-shoo) Tissue in which new blood cells are formed.
hematoporphyrin derivative(HEE-muh-toh-POR-fih-rin deh-RIH-vuh-tiv) A drug used in photodynamic therapy that is absorbed by tumor cells.
heme (heem)The part of certain molecules that contains iron. The heme part of hemoglobin is the substance inside red blood cells that binds to oxygen in the lungs…
hemihypertrophy(HEM-ee-hy-PER-troh-fee) A condition in which one side of the body or a part of one side is larger than the other.
hemilaryngectomy(HEM-ee-LA-rin-JEK-toh-mee) An operation to remove one side of the larynx (voicebox).
hemochromatosis(HEE-moh-kroh-muh-TOH-sis) A condition in which the body absorbs more iron from food than it needs.
hemoglobin(HEE-moh-GLOH-bin) The substance inside red blood cells that binds to oxygen in the lungs and carries it to the tissues.
hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis(HEE-moh-FAG-oh-SIT-ik LIM-foh-HIS-tee-oh-sy-TOH-sis) A rare disorder in which histiocytes and lymphocytes (types of white blood cells) build up in organs…
hemophiliaGroup of hereditary disorders in which affected individuals fail to make enough of certain proteins needed to form blood clots.
hemoptysis(hee-MOP-tih-sis) Coughing or spitting up blood from the respiratory tract.
hemorrhageIn medicine, loss of blood from damaged blood vessels. A hemorrhage may be internal or external, and usually involves a lot of bleeding in a short time.
hemorrhoid(HEH-muh-ROYD) An enlarged or swollen blood vessel, usually located near the anus or the rectum.