heparin(HEH-puh-rin) A substance that slows the formation of blood clots. Heparin is made by the liver, lungs, and other tissues in the body and can also made in…
hepatectomy(HEH-puh-TEK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove all or part of the liver.
hepatic arterial infusion(heh-PA-tik ar-TEER-ee-ul in-FYOO-zhun) A procedure to deliver chemotherapy directly to the liver.
hepatic arterial occlusion(heh-PA-tik ar-TEER-ee-ul uh-KLOO-zhun) A block in blood flow to the liver. It can happen while giving chemotherapy through a catheter in the hepatic…
hepatic artery(hih-PA-tik AR-tuh-ree) The major blood vessel that carries blood to the liver.
hepatic portal veinA blood vessel that carries blood to the liver from the stomach, small and large intestines, spleen, pancreas, and gallbladder. Also called portal vein.
hepatic veno-occlusive diseaseA condition in which some of the veins in the liver are blocked. It is sometimes a complication of high-dose chemotherapy given before a bone marrow…
hepatitis(HEH-puh-TY-tis) Disease of the liver causing inflammation. Symptoms include an enlarged liver, fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and dark urine.
hepatitis A vaccine(HEH-puh-TY-tis ... vak-SEEN) A vaccine used to prevent infection with the hepatitis A virus, which causes a serious liver disease.
hepatitis A virus(HEH-puh-TY-tis ... VY-rus) A virus that causes a serious liver disease. It is usually spread by contact with an infected person's stool by eating food he…
hepatitis B virus(HEH-puh-TY-tis ... VY-rus) A virus that causes hepatitis (inflammation of the liver). It is carried and passed to others through blood or sexual contact.
hepatitis C virus(HEH-puh-TY-tis ... VY-rus) A virus that causes hepatitis (inflammation of the liver). It is carried and passed to others through blood or sexual contact.
hepatitis D virus(HEH-puh-TY-tis ⦠VY-rus) A type of hepatitis virus that may be present in the body at the same time as the hepatitis B virus.
hepatitis delta virus(HEH-puh-TY-tis DEL-tuh VY-rus) A type of hepatitis virus that may be present in the body at the same time as the hepatitis B virus.
hepatitis E virus(HEH-puh-TY-tis ⦠VY-rus) A virus that causes hepatitis (inflammation of the liver).
hepatitis G virus(HEH-puh-TY-tis ⦠VY-rus) A virus that may be found in patients with hepatitis (inflammation of the liver).
hepatobiliaryHaving to do with the liver, bile ducts, and/or gallbladder.
hepatoblastoma(HEP-a-toh-blas-TOH-muh) A type of liver tumor that occurs in infants and children.
hepatocellular carcinoma(HEP-a-toe-SEL-yoo-ler KAR-sih-NOH-muh) A type of adenocarcinoma, the most common type of liver tumor.
herbal medicine(ER-bul MEH-dih-sin) A type of medicine that uses roots, stems, leaves, flowers, or seeds of plants to improve health, prevent disease, and treat illness.
herbal supplement(ER-bul SUH-pleh-ment) A product made from a plant that is thought to be useful in treating disease or staying healthy.
hereditary mutation(huh-REH-dih-TAYR-ee myoo-TAY-shun) A gene change in a body's reproductive cell (egg or sperm) that becomes incorporated into the DNA of every cell in the…
hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer(huh-REH-dih-TAYR-ee NON-PAH-lee-POH-sis KOH-lun KAN-ser) An inherited disorder in which affected individuals have a higher-than-normal chance of…
herpesvirus(HER-peez-VY-rus) A member of the herpes family of viruses.
heterocyclic amine(HEH-tuh-roh-SY-klik A-meen) A chemical that is formed when meat, poultry, or fish is cooked at high temperatures, such as frying, broiling, and…
heterogeneousMade up of elements or ingredients that are not alike.
heterogenic(het-er-o-JEN-ik) Derived from a different source or species. Also called heterogenous.
heterogenousDerived from a different source or species. Also called heterogenic.
hexyl 5-aminolevulinateA substance that is used to find and kill tumor cells. It enters tumor cells and becomes activated when exposed to a special type of light.
HHV8A type of herpesvirus that may cause Kaposi sarcoma (a rare cancer that can cause skin lesions) and a type of lymphoma (cancer that begins in the lymph…
HIFUA procedure in which high-energy sound waves are aimed directly at an area of abnormal cells or tissue in the body.
high blood pressure(hy blud PREH-sher) A blood pressure of 140/90 or higher. High blood pressure usually has no symptoms.
high blood sugar(⦠blud SHUH-gur) Higher than normal amount of glucose (a type of sugar) in the blood.
high gradeWhen referring to cancerous and precancerous growths, a term used to describe cells that look abnormal under a microscope.
high-dose chemotherapy(hy-dose kee-moh-THAYR-uh-pee) An intensive drug treatment to kill cancer cells, but that also destroys the bone marrow and can cause other severe side…
high-dose radiation(hy-dose RAY-dee-AY-shun) An amount of radiation that is greater than that given in typical radiation therapy.
high-dose-rate remote brachytherapy(hy-dose-rate ree-MOTE BRAY-kee-THAYR-uh-pee) A type of internal radiation treatment in which the radioactive source is removed between treatments.
high-dose-rate remote radiation therapy(hy-dose-rate ree-MOTE RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee) A type of internal radiation treatment in which the radioactive source is removed between treatments.
high-energy photon therapy(hy-EH-nur-jee FOH-ton THAYR-uh-pee) A type of radiation therapy that uses high-energy photons (units of light energy).
high-grade lymphomaA type of lymphoma that grows and spreads quickly, and has severe symptoms. It is seen frequently in patients who are HIV-positive (AIDS-related lymphoma).
high-intensity focused ultrasound therapy(⦠in-TEN-sih-tee FOH-kust UL-truh-SOWND THAYR-uh-pee) A procedure in which high-energy sound waves are aimed directly at an area of abnormal…
high-risk cancerCancer that is likely to recur (come back), or spread.
high-selenium Brassica juncea(BRA-sih-kuh JUN-see-uh) Brassica juncea that has been grown in high levels of selenium.
highly active antiretroviral therapy(...AN-tee-REH-troh-VY-rul THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection that uses a combination of several antiretroviral…
hilar(HY-ler) Refers to the area where nerves and blood vessels attach to an organ.
Hind milk(hind milk) the high fat milk produced at the end of the feeding.
histamine dihydrochloride(HIS-tuh-meen dy-HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer and other conditions.
histiocytic lymphoma(HIS-tee-oh-SIH-tik lim-FOH-muh) An outdated term referring to non-Hodgkin lymphomas made up of large abnormal lymphoid cells.
histologic examination(HIS-tuh-LAH-jik ig-ZA-mih-NAY-shun) The examination of tissue specimens under a microscope.
histology(his-TAH-loh-jee) The study of tissues and cells under a microscope.
histoneA type of protein found in chromosomes. Histones bind to DNA, help give chromosomes their shape, and help control the activity of genes.
histone deacetylaseAn enzyme that changes the way histone binds to DNA. Histone deacetylase inhibitors are being studied as a treatment for cancer. Also called HDAC.
histone deacetylase inhibitor(HIS-tone dee-uh-SET-ih-lase in-HIH-bih-ter) A substance that causes a chemical change that stops tumor cells from dividing.
histopathology(HIS-toh-puh-THAH-loh-jee) The study of diseased cells and tissues using a microscope.
historic cohort studyA research study in which the medical records of groups of individuals who are alike in many ways but differ by a certain characteristic (for example…
historical control subjectAn individual treated in the past and used in a comparison group when researchers analyze the results of a clinical study that had no control group.
HIVThe cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Also called human immunodeficiency virus.
HIV antibodyA substance produced by certain white blood cells in reaction to contact with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
HIV positive(... PAH-zih-tiv) Infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
HLAOne of a group of proteins found on the surface of white blood cells and other cells that play an important part in the body's immune response to foreign…
HLHA rare disorder in which histiocytes and lymphocytes (types of white blood cells) build up in organs including the skin, spleen, and liver, and destroy…
HLRCCA rare inherited disorder that increases the risk of developing benign (noncancerous) tumors of the skin and the uterus (leiomyomas) and malignant…
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor(HMG-koh-EN-zime-A ree-DUK-tayz in-HIH-bih-ter) A substance that blocks an enzyme needed by the body to make cholesterol and lowers the amount of…
HMGA1A protein that binds to the DNA and certain proteins in chromosomes. It is involved in many functions in the cell, and helps protect cells from dying.
HNPCCAn inherited disorder in which affected individuals have a higher-than-normal chance of developing colorectal cancer and certain other types of cancer…
Hodgkin disease(HOJ-kin dih-ZEEZ) A cancer of the immune system that is marked by the presence of a type of cell called the Reed-Sternberg cell.
Hodgkin lymphoma(HOJ-kin lim-FOH-muh) A cancer of the immune system that is marked by the presence of a type of cell called the Reed-Sternberg cell.
holmium Ho 166 DOTMPA drug containing a radioactive isotope that is used in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
holy thistle(... THIH-sel) A plant whose leaves, stems, and flowers have been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems.
homeopathic medicineAn alternative approach to medicine based on the belief that natural substances, prepared in a special way and used most often in very small amounts…
homeopathyAn alternative approach to medicine based on the belief that natural substances, prepared in a special way and used most often in very small amounts…
Homeostasis(HOH-mee-oh-STAY-sis) A state of balance among all the body systems needed for the body to survive and function correctly.
homeostatic(HOH-mee-oh-STA-tik) Having to do with homeostasis, which is a state of balance among all the body systems, needed for the body to function correctly.
homoharringtonineAn anticancer drug that belongs to the plant alkaloid family of drugs.
hormonal therapy(hor-MOH-nul THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment that adds, blocks, or removes hormones. For certain conditions (such as diabetes or menopause), hormones are given to…
hormone(HOR-mone) One of many chemicals made by glands in the body. Hormones circulate in the bloodstream and control the actions of certain cells or organs.
hormone receptor(HOR-mone reh-SEP-ter) A protein on the surface of a cell to which a specific hormone binds. The hormone causes many changes to take place in the cell.
hormone receptor test(HOR-mone reh-SEP-ter test) A test to measure the amount of certain proteins, called hormone receptors, in cancer tissue.
hormone replacement therapy(HOR-mone ree-PLAYS-ment THAYR-uh-pee) Hormones (estrogen, progesterone, or both) given to women after menopause to replace the hormones no longer…
hormone responsiveIn oncology, describes cancer that responds to hormone treatment.
hormone therapy(HOR-mone THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment that adds, blocks, or removes hormones. For certain conditions (such as diabetes or menopause), hormones are given to…
hormone treatmentTreatment that adds, blocks, or removes hormones. For certain conditions (such as diabetes or menopause), hormones are given to adjust low hormone levels.
Horner syndrome(...SIN-drome) A condition in which one side of the face is flushed, does not produce sweat, and has a constricted pupil and drooping eyelid.
hospice(HOS-pis) A program that provides special care for people who are near the end of life and for their families, either at home, in freestanding facilities…
host cellA cell that is infected by a virus or another type of microorganism.
hot flashA sudden, temporary onset of body warmth, flushing, and sweating (often associated with menopause).