alkalinization(AL-ka-LIN-ih-ZAY-shun) The process by which a substance becomes an alkali. An alkali is the opposite of an acid.
alkaloidA member of a large group of chemicals that are made by plants and have nitrogen in them. Some alkaloids have been shown to work against cancer.
AlkeranA drug that is used to treat multiple myeloma and ovarian epithelial cancer and is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.
alkylating agent(AL-kuh-LAY-ting AY-jent) A type of drug that is used in the treatment of cancer. It interferes with the cell's DNA and inhibits cancer cell growth.
ALLA fast-growing type of leukemia (blood cancer) in which too many lymphoblasts (immature white blood cells) are found in the blood and bone marrow.
all-trans retinoic acid(all-tranz REH-tih-NOH-ik A-sid) A form of vitamin A that is made by the body, and can also be made in the laboratory.
Allegra(uh-LEH-gruh) A drug used to treat certain allergy symptoms. It blocks a chemical released during an allergic response that causes itching, sneezing…
allergen(AL-er-jen) A substance that causes an allergic response. Examples include pollen, molds, and certain foods.
allergic response(uh-LER-jik reh-SPONTS) A hypersensitive immune reaction to a substance that normally is harmless or would not cause an immune response in most people.
Allogeneic(A-loh-jeh-NAY-ik) Taken from different individuals of the same species. Also called allogenic.
allogeneic bone marrow transplantation(A-loh-jeh-NAY-ik bone MAYR-oh tranz-plan-TAY-shun) A procedure in which a person receives stem cells (cells from which all blood cells develop) from a…
allogeneic stem cell transplantation(A-loh-jeh-NAY-ik stem sel tranz-plan-TAY-shun) A procedure in which a person receives blood-forming stem cells (cells from which all blood cells develop)…
allogenicTaken from different individuals of the same species. Also called allogeneic.
allopathic medicine(A-loh-PA-thik MEH-dih-sin) A system in which medical doctors and other healthcare professionals (such as nurses, pharmacists, and therapists) treat…
allopurinolA drug that lowers high levels of uric acid (a byproduct of metabolism) in the blood caused by some cancer treatments.
Allovectin-7A substance that is being studied as a gene therapy agent in the treatment of cancer.
aloe-emodinA substance found in certain plants, including aloe vera. It belongs to a family of compounds called anthraquinones, which have shown anti-inflammatory…
alopecia(al-oh-PEE-shuh) The lack or loss of hair from areas of the body where hair is usually found. Alopecia can be a side effect of some cancer treatments.
Aloxi(uh-LOK-see) A drug used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatment. It is a type of serotonin receptor antagonist and a type of antiemetic.
alpha hydroxyl acid(AL-fuh hy-DROK-sil A-sid) One of a group of substances that are found in several types of fruit and in milk.
alpha-fetoprotein(AL-fuh-FEE-toh-PROH-teen) A protein normally produced by a fetus. AFP levels are usually undetectable in the blood of healthy adult men or women (who are…
alpha-lipoic acid(AL-fuh-lih-POH-ik A-sid) A substance that is being studied for its ability to protect normal cells from the side effects of chemotherapy and prevent…
alprazolam(al-PRAY-zoh-lam) A drug used to treat anxiety disorders and panic attacks. It is being studied in the treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by some…
alprostadil(al-PROS-tuh-dil) A drug that is used to treat impotence (inability to have an erection) and is being studied in the treatment of sexual problems in men…
Alteplase(AL-teh-PLAYS) A form of tissue plasminogen activator that is made in the laboratory.
AlterationAny change involving an erasure or rewriting in the date, amount, or payee of a check or other negotiable instrument.
alternative medicine(all-TER-nuh-tiv MEH-dih-sin) Practices used instead of standard treatments. They generally are not recognized by the medical community as standard or…
altretamineAn anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called alkylating agents.
AlumA type of immune adjuvant (a substance used to help boost the immune response to a vaccine). Also called aluminum sulfate.
aluminum sulfateA type of immune adjuvant (a substance used to help boost the immune response to a vaccine). Also called alum.
ALVAC-CEA vaccineA cancer vaccine containing a canary pox virus (ALVAC) combined with the human carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) gene.
Alveoli(al-VEE-oh-ly) Tiny air sacs at the end of the bronchioles in the lungs.
Alzheimer dementia(ALTS-hy-mer dih-MEN-shuh) A brain disorder that usually starts in late middle age or old age and gets worse over time.
Alzheimer disease(ALTS-hy-mer dih-ZEEZ) A brain disorder that usually starts in late middle age or old age and gets worse over time.
Amanita phalloidesA type of poisonous mushroom that has harmful effects on the kidneys and liver. It is responsible for most fatal cases of mushroom poisoning.
AmbienA drug used to treat insomnia (inability to sleep), and anxiety. It is a type of imidazopyridine (sedative hypnotic). Also called zolpidem .
AMD3100A substance that is being studied for its ability to move stem cells out of the bone marrow and into circulating blood where they can be collected for use…
amelanotic melanoma(AY-meh-luh-NAH-tik MEH-luh-NOH-muh) A type of skin cancer in which the cells do not make the pigment melanin.
amethopterin(uh-meth-OPE-TAYR-in) A drug used to treat some types of cancer, severe skin conditions such as psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Amevive(AM-eh-veev) A drug that is used to treat certain skin conditions and is being studied in the treatment of cutaneous (skin-related) T-cell cancer and…
AMG 162A type of monoclonal antibody being studied in the treatment of multiple myeloma (a cancer that forms in bones) and in the prevention and treatment of…
AMG 531A drug used to treat patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) who do not get better with other forms of treatment.
AMG 706A substance that is being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. It belongs to the families of drugs called angiogenesis inhibitors and protein…
amifostineA drug used as a chemoprotective drug to control some of the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
amikacinAn antibiotic drug used to treat infection. It belongs to the family of drugs called aminoglycoside antibiotics.
Amino acid(uh-MEE-noh A-sid) One of several molecules that join together to form proteins. There are 20 common amino acids found in proteins.
amino acid sequence(uh-MEE-noh A-sid SEE-kwents) The arrangement of amino acids in a protein. Proteins can be made from 20 different kinds of amino acids, and the structure…
aminocamptothecinAn anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called topoisomerase inhibitors.
aminoglutethimide(a-MEE-no-gloo-TETH-ih-mide) An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitors.
aminoglycoside antibiotic(uh-MEE-noh-GLY-kuh-side an-tih-by-AH-tik) A substance that works against many types of bacteria and includes streptomycin, gentamicin, and neomycin.
aminolevulinic acid(uh-MEE-noh-lev-yoo-LIN-ik A-sid) The active ingredient in a drug used to treat actinic keratosis (a skin condition that may become cancer).
aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride(uh-MEE-noh-lev-yoo-LIN-ik A-sid HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A drug used to treat actinic keratosis (a skin condition that may become cancer).
aminopterinAn anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called antimetabolites.
amitriptyline(A-mih-TRIP-tih-LEEN) A drug that is used to treat depression and may be given to treat anxiety, sleep disorders, and pain.
amitriptyline hydrochloride(A-mih-TRIP-tih-LEEN HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A drug that is used to treat depression and may be given to treat anxiety, sleep disorders, and pain.
AMLA quickly progressing disease in which too many immature white blood cells (not lymphocytes) are found in the blood and bone marrow.
ammonium tetrathiomolybdate(uh-MOH-nee-um TEH-truh-THY-oh-muh-LIB-date) A substance being studied in the treatment of many types of cancer.
amonafideA substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the families of drugs called topoisomerase inhibitors and intercalating agents.
amoxicillin(uh-mok-sih-SIH-lun) A drug used to treat some bacterial infections. Amoxicillin is a form of penicillin that is made in the laboratory.
amphotericin B(AM-fuh-TAYR-ih-sin ...) A drug used in the treatment of infections caused by fungi. It is a type of antifungal.
Amplimexon(AM-plih-MEK-son) A substance that is being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer, including pancreatic, lung, breast, prostate, melanoma, and…
ampulla of VaterAn enlargement of the ducts from the liver and pancreas at the point where they enter the small intestine.
ampulla of Vater cancer(am-PUH-luh ... VAH-ter KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in the ampulla of Vater (an enlargement of the ducts from the liver and pancreas where they join and…
ampullary cancer(am-PUH-layr-ee KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in the ampulla of Vater (an enlargement of the ducts from the liver and pancreas where they join and enter the…
amputation(am-pyoo-TAY-shun) Surgery to remove part or all of a limb or appendage.
amrubicin(am-ROO-bih-sin) A substance being studied in the treatment of lung cancer. It is a type of anthracycline analog.
amsacrineAn anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called topoisomerase inhibitors.
amygdalin(uh-MIG-duh-lin) A substance found in the pits of many fruits such as apricots and papayas, and in other foods.
amylase(AM-il-aze) An enzyme that helps the body digest starches.
amyloidosis(am-a-loy-DOE-sis) A group of diseases in which protein is deposited in specific organs (localized amyloidosis) or throughout the body (systemic…
anagrelide(an-AG-re-lide) A drug that is used to decrease the number of platelets in the blood in order to prevent blood clotting.
anakinra(an-a-KIN-ra) A substance that is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, and is being studied in the treatment of cancer.
anal(AY-nul) Having to do with the anus. The anus is the opening of the rectum (last part of the large intestine) to the outside of the body.
anal cancer(AY-nul KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in tissues of the anus. The anus is the opening of the rectum (last part of the large intestine) to the outside of the…
analgesicA drug that reduces pain. Analgesics include aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen.
analogIn chemistry, a substance that is similar, but not identical, to another.
AnalysisA process in which anything complex is separated into simple or less complex parts.
anaphylactic shock(A-nuh-fih-LAK-tik shok) A severe and sometimes life-threatening immune system reaction to an antigen that a person has been previously exposed to.
anaplastic(an-ah-PLAS-tik) A term used to describe cancer cells that divide rapidly and have little or no resemblance to normal cells.
anaplastic large cell lymphoma(A-nuh-PLAS-tik ... lim-FOH-muh) An aggressive (fast-growing) type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that is usually of the T-cell type.
anaplastic thyroid cancer(A-nuh-PLAS-tik THY-royd KAN-ser) A rare, aggressive type of thyroid cancer in which the malignant (cancer) cells look very different from normal thyroid…
anastomosis(an-AS-ta-MO-sis) A procedure to connect healthy sections of tubular structures in the body after the diseased portion has been surgically removed.
anastrozoleAn anticancer drug that is used to decrease estrogen production and suppress the growth of tumors that need estrogen to grow.
anatomic(A-nuh-TAH-mik) Having to do with anatomy (the study of the structure of a plant or animal).
anatomy(uh-NA-toh-mee) The study of the structure of a plant or animal.
ancestim(an-SESS-tim) A drug being studied for its ability to increase the number of stem cells in the blood. It is a type of hematopoietic cell growth factor.
androblastoma(AN-droh-blas-TOH-muh) A rare type of ovarian tumor in which the tumor cells secrete a male sex hormone.
androgen(AN-droh-jen) A type of hormone that promotes the development and maintenance of male sex characteristics.
androgen ablation(AN-droh-jen a-BLAY-shun) Treatment to suppress or block the production or action of male hormones.
androgen deprivation(AN-droh-jen DEH-prih-VAY-shun) Treatment to suppress or block the production or action of male hormones.
androgen suppression(AN-droh-jen suh-PREH-shun) Treatment to suppress or block the production or action of male hormones.
androgen-independent(AN-droh-jen...) Describes the ability of tumor cells to grow in the absence of androgens (hormones that promote the development and maintenance of male…
androstanolone(AN-droh-STAN-uh-lone) A hormone made from testosterone in the prostate gland, testes, and some other tissues.
anecdotal reportAn incomplete description of the medical and treatment history of one or more patients.
Anemia(a-NEE-mee-a) A condition in which the number of red blood cells is below normal.
AnesthesiaA loss of feeling or awareness caused by drugs or other substances. Anesthesia keeps patients from feeling pain during surgery or other procedures.
anesthesiologist(a-nes-THEE-zee-AH-loh-jist) A doctor who specializes in giving drugs or other agents to prevent or relieve pain during surgery or other procedures being…