Hot flashesA sudden flow of the blood through the skin, which makes a woman feel a hot flush and a sensation of warmth.
hot noduleWhen radioactive material is used to examine the thyroid with a scanner, nodules that collect more radioactive material than the surrounding thyroid…
hotspotIn genetics, an area of DNA that is likely to mutate (change).
HPPH2-(1-hexyloxyethyl)-2-devinyl pyropheophorbide-a. A drug that is used in photodynamic therapy that is absorbed by tumor cells; when exposed to light, it…
HPVA member of a family of viruses that can cause abnormal tissue growth (for example, genital warts) and other changes to cells.
HPV vaccine(... vak-SEEN) A vaccine being studied in the prevention of human papillomavirus infection and cervical cancer.
HRTHormones (estrogen, progesterone, or both) given to women after menopause to replace the hormones no longer produced by the ovaries.
HSILA precancerous condition in which the cells of the uterine cervix are moderately or severely abnormal.
HSPOne of a group of proteins that help protect cells from stresses such as heat, cold, and low amounts of oxygen or glucose (sugar).
HTLV-1A type of virus that infects T cells (a type of white blood cell) and can cause leukemia and lymphoma.
Hu3S193A monoclonal antibody that is being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
HuAFP31A monoclonal antibody being studied in the treatment of several types of cancer.
Huang LianA Chinese herb that has been used as a treatment for a variety of medical problems. It is being studied as an anticancer drug.
huC242-DM4A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. It is made by linking the monoclonal antibody huC242 to a toxic substance called…
HuHMFG1A monoclonal antibody that binds to the protein MUC1, which is found on breast, ovarian, pancreatic, gastric, and colon cancer cells.
HuLuc63A monoclonal antibody being studied in the treatment of advanced multiple myeloma.
human corticotropin-releasing factorA 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…
human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HYOO-mun eh-pih-DER-mul grohth FAK-ter reh-SEP-ter ...) A protein involved in normal cell growth. It is found in high levels on some breast cancer cells.
human herpesvirus 8(HYOO-mun HER-peez-VY-rus...) A type of herpesvirus that may cause Kaposi sarcoma (a rare cancer that can cause skin lesions) and a type of lymphoma…
human immunodeficiency virus(HYOO-mun ih-MYOO-noh-dih-FIH-shun-see VY-rus) The cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Also called HIV.
human leukocyte antigen(HYOO-mun LOO-koh-SITE AN-tih-jen) One of a group of proteins found on the surface of white blood cells and other cells that play an important part in the…
human lymphocyte antigen(HYOO-mun LIM-foh-site AN-tih-jen) One of a group of proteins found on the surface of white blood cells and other cells that play an important part in the…
human papillomavirus(HYOO-mun PA-pih-LOH-muh-VY-rus) A member of a family of viruses that can cause abnormal tissue growth (for example, genital warts) and other changes to…
human papillomavirus vaccine(HYOO-mun PA-pih-LOH-muh-VY-rus vak-SEEN) A vaccine being studied in the prevention of human papillomavirus infection and cervical cancer.
human T-cell leukemia virus type 1(HYOO-mun TEE-sel loo-KEE-mee-uh VY-rus...) A type of virus that infects T cells (a type of white blood cell) and can cause leukemia and lymphoma.
human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1(HYOO-mun TEE-sel LIM-foh-TROH-pik VY-rus...) A type of virus that infects T cells (a type of white blood cell) and can cause leukemia and lymphoma.
humanized monoclonal antibody(HYOO-muh-nized MAH-noh-KLOH-nul AN-tee-BAH-dee) A type of antibody made in the laboratory by combining a human antibody with a small part of a mouse or…
HuMax-CD20A monoclonal antibody being studied in the treatment of certain types of B-cell cancers including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and follicular…
Humidifier(hyoo-MID-ih-fye-er) A machine that puts moisture in the air.
Hurthle cell neoplasm(HEERT-leh...NEE-oh-PLA-zum) An uncommon type of thyroid tumor that can be benign or malignant.
Hycamtin(hy-KAM-tin) A drug used to treat certain types of ovarian cancer, lung cancer, and cervical cancer. Hycamtin is a type of topoisomerase inhibitor.
hydatidiform mole(HY-duh-TIH-dih-form...) A slow-growing tumor that develops from trophoblastic cells (cells that help an embryo attach to the uterus and help form the…
hydrazine sulfateA substance that has been studied as a treatment for cancer and as a treatment for cachexia (body wasting) associated with advanced cancer.
hydrocephalus(hye-dro-SEF-uh-lus) The abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain.
hydrocortisoneA drug used to relieve the symptoms of certain hormone shortages and to suppress an immune response.
hydrogen peroxideA chemical used in bleaches, dyes, cleansers, antiseptics, and disinfectants. In a concentrated form, it is toxic and irritating to tissues.
HydrolysisA chemical reaction that uses water to break down a compound.
hydronephrosisAbnormal enlargement of a kidney, which may be caused by blockage of the ureter (such as by a kidney stone) or chronic kidney disease that prevents urine…
hydroureter(HY-droh-YER-eh-ter) Abnormal enlargement of the ureter caused by any blockage that prevents urine from draining into the bladder.
hydroxychloroquineA substance that decreases immune responses in the body. It is used to treat some autoimmune diseases, and is being studied as a treatment for…
hydroxyureaAn anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called antimetabolites.
Hygiene(HY-jeen) The science of health, and the practice of cleanliness that promotes good health and well-being.
hyperactivity(HY-per-ak-TIV-ih-tee) A higher than normal level of activity. Hyperactivity can be used to describe the increased action of a body function, such as…
hyperalimentation(HY-per-AL-ih-men-TAY-shun) A form of nutrition that is delivered into a vein. Hyperalimentation does not use the digestive system.
hyperbaric oxygen(HY-per-BAYR-ik OK-sih-jen) Oxygen that is at an atmospheric pressure higher than the pressure at sea level.
hypercalcemia(HY-per-kal-SEE-mee-uh) Higher than normal levels of calcium in the blood. Some types of cancer increase the risk of hypercalcemia.
hyperfractionated radiation therapy(HY-per-FRAK-shuh-NAYT-ed RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee) Radiation therapy that gives smaller doses (fractions) of radiation more often than standard…
hyperfractionation(hy-per-FRAK-shun-AY-shun) Radiation therapy that gives smaller doses (fractions) of radiation more often than standard radiation therapy so that the full…
hyperglycemia(HY-per-gly-SEE-mee-uh) Higher than normal amount of glucose (a type of sugar) in the blood. Hyperglycemia can be a sign of diabetes or other conditions.
Hypericum perforatum(hy-PAYR-ih-kum per-fuh-RAY-tum) An herbal product sold as an over-the-counter treatment for depression.
hyperkeratosis(HY-per-KAYR-uh-TOH-sis) A condition marked by thickening of the outer layer of the skin, which is made of keratin (a tough, protective protein).
hypernephroma(HY-per-neh-FROH-muh) The most common type of kidney cancer. It begins in the lining of the renal tubules in the kidney.
Hyperparathyroidism(HY-per-PAYR-uh-THY-roy-dih-zum) A condition in which the parathyroid gland (one of four pea-sized organs found on the thyroid) makes too much parathyroid…
Hyperplasia(HY-per-PLAY-zhuh) An abnormal increase in the number of cells in an organ or tissue.
hypersensitivity(HY-per-SEN-sih-tih-vih-tee) An exaggerated response by the immune system to a drug or other substance.
Hypertension(HY-per-TEN-shun) A blood pressure of 140/90 or higher. Hypertension usually has no symptoms.
hyperthermia(HY-per-THER-mee-uh) Abnormally high body temperature. This may be caused as part of treatment, by an infection, or by exposure to heat.
hyperthermia therapy(HY-per-THER-mee-uh THAYR-uh-pee) A type of treatment in which body tissue is exposed to high temperatures to damage and kill cancer cells or to make…
hyperthermic perfusion(HY-per-THER-mik per-FYOO-zhun) A procedure in which a warmed solution containing anticancer drugs is used to bathe, or is passed through the blood…
hyperthyroidism(HY-per-THY-ROY-dih-zum) Too much thyroid hormone. Symptoms include weight loss, chest pain, cramps, diarrhea, and nervousness.
hyperuricemia(HY-per-yur-ih-SEE-mee-uh) A buildup of uric acid (a byproduct of metabolism) in the blood. Hyperuricemia is a side effect of some anticancer drugs.
hypervascular(HY-per-VAS-kyoo-ler) Having a large number of blood vessels.
hypnosisA trance-like state in which a person becomes more aware and focused and is more open to suggestion.
hypofractionated radiation therapy(HY-poh-FRAK-shuh-NAYT-ed RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee) Radiation therapy that gives larger doses (fractions) of radiation in fewer treatment sessions and…
hypofractionation(HY-poh-FRAK-shuh-NAY-shun) Radiation therapy that gives larger doses (fractions) of radiation in fewer treatment sessions and over a shorter period of…
hypogammaglobulinemia(HY-poh-GAM-uh-GLOB-yoo-lih-NEE-mee-uh) A condition in which the level of immunoglobulins (antibodies) in the blood is low and the risk of infection is…
hypopharyngeal cancer(HY-poh-fuh-RIN-jee-ul KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in tissues of the hypopharynx (the bottom part of the throat).
hypopharynxThe bottom part of the throat. Cancer of the hypopharynx is also known as hypopharyngeal cancer.
hypospadias(hy-poh-SPAY-dee-us) A birth defect in which the opening of the urethra (the tube through which urine leaves the body) is not in its normal place.
hypothalamus(hye-po-THAL-uh-mus) The area of the brain that controls body temperature, hunger, and thirst.
HypothesisA tentative proposal made to explain certain observations or facts that requires further investigation to be verified.
hypothyroidism(HY-poh-THY-ROY-dih-zum) Too little thyroid hormone. Symptoms include weight gain, constipation, dry skin, and sensitivity to the cold.
hypoxemia(HY-pok-SEE-mee-uh) A condition in which there is not enough oxygen in the blood.
HypoxiaA condition in which there is a decrease in the oxygen supply to a tissue. In cancer treatment, the level of hypoxia in a tumor may help predict the…
HysterectomySurgery to remove the uterus and, sometimes, the cervix. When the uterus and the cervix are removed, it is called a total hysterectomy.
Hytrin(HY-trin) A drug used to treat urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate.
I.V.Into or within a vein. I.V. usually refers to a way of giving a drug or other substance through a needle or tube inserted into a vein.
ibandronateA drug that is used to prevent and treat osteoporosis, and is being studied in the treatment of cancer that has spread to the bones.
IBMFSInherited bone marrow failure syndrome. A rare disorder in which a person's bone marrow is unable to make enough blood cells and there is a family history…
ibritumomab tiuxetan(ih-brih-TOO-moh-mab ty-oo-EKS-eh-tan) A monoclonal antibody that is used to treat certain types of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma and is being studied in…
ibuprofen(I-byoo-PROH-fen) A drug used to treat fever, swelling, pain, and redness by preventing the body from making a substance that causes inflammation.
ICCC ClassificationAt the time the World Health Organization's (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) published their first monograph on Childhood Cancer…
ICDA small device used to correct a heartbeat that is abnormal (too fast, too slow, or irregular). The device is placed by surgery in the chest or abdomen.
ICI 182780A drug used to treat certain types of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.
ICI D1694An anticancer drug that stops tumor cells from growing by blocking the ability of cells to make DNA.
idarubicin(I-duh-ROO-bih-sin) An anticancer drug that is a type of antitumor antibiotic. Also called 4-demethoxydaunorubicin.
IDEC-Y2B8A radiolabeled monoclonal antibody that is used to treat certain types of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma and is being studied in the treatment of other types…
idiopathic myelofibrosis(IH-dee-oh-PA-thik MY-eh-loh-fy-BROH-sis) A progressive, chronic disease in which the bone marrow is replaced by fibrous tissue and blood is made in…
idiopathic pneumonia syndrome(IH-dee-oh-PA-thik noo-MOH-nyuh SIN-drome) A set of pneumonia-like symptoms (such as fever, chills, coughing, and breathing problems) that occur with no…
idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura(IH-dee-oh-PA-thik THROM-boh-sy-toh-PEE-nik PUR-pyuh-ruh) A condition in which platelets (blood cells that cause blood clots to form) are destroyed by the…
idoxifeneA drug that blocks the effects of estrogen.
idoxuridineA drug that reduces the risk of cancer cell growth by interfering with the cells' DNA.