anesthetic(a-nes-THEH-tik) A substance that causes loss of feeling or awareness. Local anesthetics cause loss of feeling in a part of the body.
anetholtrithioneA substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer.
Aneuploid(an you ployd') describes an abnormal (not normal) amount of DNA in cells.
angelica root(an-JEH-lih-kuh root) The root of any of a group of herbs called Angelica. It has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems, including…
Angiocept(AN-jee-oh-sept) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. Angiocept prevents the growth of new blood vessels needed for tumors to grow and…
angiogenesis(AN-jee-oh-JEN-eh-sis) Blood vessel formation. Tumor angiogenesis is the growth of new blood vessels needed for tumors to grow.
angiogenesis inhibitor(AN-jee-oh-JEN-eh-sis in-HIH-bih-ter) A substance that may prevent the formation of blood vessels.
angiogram(AN-jee-oh-gram) An x-ray of blood vessels. The person receives an injection of dye to outline the vessels on the x-ray.
angiography(an-jee-AH-gruh-fee) A procedure to x-ray blood vessels. The blood vessels can be seen because of an injection of a dye that shows up in the x-ray.
angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphomaAn aggressive (fast-growing) type of T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma marked by enlarged lymph nodes and hypergammaglobulinemia (increased antibodies in the…
angiomyolipoma(AN-jee-oh-MY-oh-lih-POH-muh) A benign (noncancer) tumor of fat and muscle tissue that usually is found in the kidney.
angioplasty(AN-jee-oh-PLAS-tee) A procedure to enlarge the opening in a blood vessel that has become narrowed or blocked by plaque (a buildup of fat and cholesterol…
angiosarcoma(AN-jee-o-sar-KO-ma) A type of cancer that begins in the cells that line blood vessels or lymph vessels.
angiostatin(AN-jee-oh-STA-tin) A protein normally made by the body. It can also be made in the laboratory, and is being studied in the treatment of cancer.
angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitorA drug that is used to lower blood pressure. An angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor is a type of antihypertensive agent. Also called ACE inhibitor.
AngiozymeA substance that is being studied in the treatment of kidney cancer. It may prevent the growth of blood vessels from surrounding tissue to the tumor.
anhydrovinblastineAn anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called mitotic inhibitors.
anidulafunginA drug that is used to treat infections caused by fungi. It belongs to the family of drugs called antifungals.
animal modelAn animal with a disease either the same as or like a disease in humans. Animal models are used to study the development and progression of diseases and…
animal study(AN-ih-mul STUH-dee) A laboratory experiment using animals to study the development and progression of diseases.
animal-assisted therapy(A-nih-mul-uh-SIS-ted THAYR-uh-pee) A type of therapy that uses dogs or other pets to improve the physical and mental health of patients with certain…
ANLLA quickly progressing disease in which too many immature white blood cells (not lymphocytes) are found in the blood and bone marrow.
annamycinA substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called anthracycline antibiotics.
Annual Percent Change (APC)(APC)The average annual percent change over several years. The APC is used to measure trends or the change in rates over time.
Annual Report to the NationAn annual update of cancer death rates, incidence rates (new cases), and trends in the United States.
AnorexiaAn abnormal loss of the appetite for food. Anorexia can be caused by cancer, AIDS, a mental disorder (i.e., anorexia nervosa), or other diseases.
anorexia nervosaAn eating disorder marked by an intense fear of gaining weight, a refusal to maintain a healthy weight, and a distorted body image.
ANSThe part of the nervous system that controls muscles of internal organs (such as the heart, blood vessels, lungs, stomach, and intestines) and glands…
ansamycinAn anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called antineoplastic antibiotics.
antagonistIn medicine, a substance that stops the action or effect of another substance. For example, a drug that blocks the stimulating effect of estrogen on a…
anterior(an-TEER-ee-er) In human anatomy, has to do with the front of a structure, or a structure found toward the front of the body.
anterior mediastinotomy(an-TEER-ee-er MEE-dee-A-stih-NAH-toh-mee) A procedure in which a tube is inserted into the chest to view the tissues and organs in the area between the…
anterior mediastinumThe area in the front part of the chest between the lungs. Also called prevascular space.
anterior pelvic exenteration(an-TEER-ee-er PEL-vik ek-ZEN-ter-AY-shun) Surgery to remove the urethra, lower part of the ureters, uterus, cervix, vagina, and bladder.
anterior urethral cancer(an-TEER-ee-er yoo-REE-thrul KAN-ser) A disease in which malignant (cancer) cells are found in the part of the urethra (the tube through which urine…
anthracenedioneAn anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called anticancer antibiotics.
anthracycline(AN-thruh-SY-klin) A type of antibiotic that comes from certain types of Streptomyces bacteria. Anthracyclines are used to treat many types of cancer.
anti-CD19 immunotoxin(⦠IH-myoo-noh-TOK-sin) A monoclonal antibody linked to a toxic substance. It is being studied in the treatment of some types of B-cell cancer.
anti-CD22 immunotoxin(⦠IH-myoo-noh-TOK-sin) A monoclonal antibody linked to a toxic substance. It is being studied in the treatment of some types of B-cell cancer.
anti-CD45 monoclonal antibody(AN-tee ⦠MAH-noh-KLOH-nul AN-tih-BAH-dee) A monoclonal antibody being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
anti-CEA antibodyAn antibody against carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), a protein present on certain types of cancer cells.
anti-EpCAM-Pseudomonas-exotoxin fusion protein(...SOO-doh-MOH-nus-EK-soh-TOK-sin FYOO-zhun PROH-teen) A substance being studied in the treatment of certain types of head and neck cancer.
anti-idiotype vaccineA vaccine made of antibodies that see other antibodies as the antigen and bind to it.
anti-IL-6 chimeric monoclonal antibody(...ky-MEER-ik MAH-noh-KLOH-nul AN-tih-BAH-dee) A chimeric (made from human and mouse proteins) monoclonal antibody being studied in the treatment of…
anti-mesothelin monoclonal antibody MORAb-009(AN-tee-mez-oh-THEE-lin MAH-noh-KLOH-nul AN-tee-BAH-deeâ¦) A monoclonal antibody being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
anti-TGF-beta monoclonal antibody GC1008(... MAH-noh-KLOH-nul AN-tee-BAH-dee ...) A monoclonal antibody being studied in the treatment of kidney cancer, melanoma, and pulmonary fibrosis.
anti-VEGFR monoclonal antibody(AN-tee ⦠MAH-noh-KLOH-nul AN-tih-BAH-dee) A monoclonal antibody being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
antiandrogen(AN-tee-AN-droh-jen) A substance that prevents cells from making or using androgens (hormones that play a role in the formation of male sex…
antiandrogen therapy(AN-tee-AN-droh-jen THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment with drugs used to block production or interfere with the action of male sex hormones.
antiangiogenesis therapy(AN-tee-an-jee-oh-JEN-uh-sis THAIR-uh-pee): Using drugs or other treatments to stop new blood vessels from forming in tumors to try to limit tumor growth.
antiangiogenicHaving to do with reducing the growth of new blood vessels.
antiapoptoticSomething that prevents apoptosis. Apoptosis is a type of cell death in which a series of molecular steps in a cell leads to its death.
antibacterial(AN-tee-bak-TEER-ee-ul) A substance that kills bacteria or stops them from growing and causing disease.
AntibioticA drug used to treat infections caused by bacteria and other microorganisms. Atrial Fibrillation: A heart rhythm disorder (arrhythmia) that usually…
antibodies(AN-tee-BAH-deez): Proteins in the body made by the immune system that fight infection and disease.
Antibody(AN-tee-BAH-dee) A type of protein made by plasma cells (a type of white blood cell) in response to an antigen (foreign substance).
antibody therapy(AN-tee-BAH-dee THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment with an antibody, a substance that can directly kill specific tumor cells or stimulate the immune system to kill…
anticachexia(AN-tee-ka-KEK-see-a) Describes a drug or effect that works against cachexia (loss of body weight and muscle mass).
anticancer antibioticA type of anticancer drug that blocks cell growth by interfering with DNA, the genetic material in cells.
anticarcinogenic(AN-tee-KAR-sin-o-JEN-ik) Having to do with preventing or delaying the development of cancer.
anticoagulantA drug that helps prevent blood clots from forming. Also called blood thinner.
anticonvulsant(AN-tee-kon-VUL-sant) A drug or other substance used to prevent or stop seizures or convulsions. Also called antiepileptic.
antidiarrheal(AN-tee-dy-uh-REE-ul) A substance used to treat diarrhea (frequent and watery bowel movements).
antiemetic(AN-tee-eh-MEH-tik) A drug that prevents or reduces nausea and vomiting.
antiepileptic(AN-tee-EH-pih-LEP-tik) A drug or other substance used to prevent or stop seizures or convulsions. Also called anticonvulsant.
antiestrogen(AN-tee-ES-truh-jin) A substance that prevents cells from making or using estrogen (a hormone that plays a role in the formation of female sex…
antifolateA substance that blocks the activity of folic acid. Antifolates are used to treat cancer. Also called folate antagonist.
antifungalA drug that treats infections caused by fungi.
AntigenA substance that causes the immune system to make a specific immune response.
antigen-presenting cellAPC. A cell that shows an antigen on its surface to other cells of the immune system. This is an important part of an immune response. Also called APC .
antiglobulin testA laboratory test to identify antibodies that can bind to the surface of red blood cells or platelets and destroy them.
antihistamine(AN-tee-HIS-tuh-meen) A type of drug that blocks the action of histamines, which can cause fever, itching, sneezing, a runny nose, and watery eyes.
antihormone therapy(AN-tee-HOR-mone THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment with drugs, surgery, or radiation in order to block the production or action of a hormone.
antimetaboliteA drug that is very similar to natural chemicals in a normal biochemical reaction in cells but different enough to interfere with the normal division and…
antimicrobial(AN-tee-my-KROH-bee-ul) A substance that kills microorganisms such as bacteria or mold, or stops them from growing and causing disease.
antimicrotubule agentA type of drug that blocks cell growth by stopping mitosis (cell division). Antimicrotubule agents interfere with microtubules (cellular structures that…
antimitotic agentA type of drug that blocks cell growth by stopping mitosis (cell division). They are used to treat cancer. Also called mitotic inhibitor.
antineoplasticA substance that blocks the formation of neoplasms (growths that may become cancerous).
antineoplastic antibioticA type of anticancer drug that blocks cell growth by interfering with DNA, the genetic material in cells.
antineoplastonA substance isolated from normal human blood and urine that is being tested as a type of treatment for some tumors and AIDS.
antioncogene(AN-tee-ON-koh-jeen) A type of gene that makes a protein called a tumor suppressor protein that helps control cell growth.
antioxidant(AN-tee-OK-sih-dent) A substance that protects cells from the damage caused by free radicals (unstable molecules made by the process of oxidation during…
antiparasiticA drug used to treat infections caused by bacteria and parasites. It is also used in the treatment of some cancers.
antiprogestin(AN-tee-proh-JES-tin) A substance that prevents cells from making or using progesterone (a hormone that plays a role in the menstrual cycle and pregnancy).
antiretroviral therapy(AN-tee-REH-troh-VY-rul THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment with drugs that inhibit the ability of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or other types of…
antisense c-fosSynthetic genetic material that may slow or stop the growth of cancer cells.
antisense DNA(AN-tee-sents â¦) Small pieces of DNA that can bind to specific molecules of RNA and block the cell's ability to use the RNA to make a protein.
antisense RNA(AN-tee-sents â¦) Small pieces of RNA that can bind to specific molecules of RNA and block the cell's ability to use the RNA to make a protein.
antithymocyte globulin(AN-tee-THIGH-mo-site GLOB-yoo-lin) A protein used to reduce the risk of or to treat graft-versus-host disease.
antituberculosis(AN-tee-too-ber-kyoo-LOW-sis) Describes a drug or effect that works against tuberculosis (a contagious bacterial infection that usually affects the lungs).
antitumor(AN-tee-TOO-mer) Having to do with stopping abnormal cell growth.
antitumor antibioticA type of anticancer drug that blocks cell growth by interfering with DNA, the genetic material in cells.
antiviralA drug used to treat infections caused by viruses.
Anus(AY-nus) The opening of the rectum to the outside of the body.