RNAOne of the two types of nucleic acids found in all cells. In the cell, RNA is made from DNA (the other type of nucleic acid), and proteins are made from…
Ro 31-7453A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It may prevent cancer cells from dividing.
Ro 50-3821A substance that is being studied in the treatment of anemia in patients who are receiving chemotherapy.
rofecoxib(ROH-feh-COK-sib) A drug that was being used for pain relief and was being studied for its ability to prevent cancer and to block the growth of new blood…
Roman chamomile(ROH-mun KA-muh-mile) A type of chamomile plant with daisy-like white flowers that is found in Europe, North America, and Argentina.
romidepsin(ROH-mih-DEP-sin) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. Romidepsin is a type of depsipeptide and histone deacetylase inhibitor.
romiplostim(roh-mih-PLOH-stim) A drug used to treat patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) who do not get better with other forms of treatment.
Rooting reflex(ROO'-ting REE'-flex) a reflex in infants that causes the turning of the head to the nipple and opening of the mouth when the cheek is touched or stroked.
ropivacaine(roh-PIH-vuh-kayn) A drug used to control pain and to cause a temporary loss of feeling in one part of the body, during and after surgery.
ropivacaine hydrochloride(roh-PIH-vuh-kayn HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A drug used to control pain and to cause a temporary loss of feeling in one part of the body, during and after surgery.
rosiglitazone(roh-sig-LIH-tuh-zone) The active ingredient in a drug that helps control the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood and is being studied in the…
rosiglitazone maleate(roh-sig-LIH-tuh-zone MAY-lee-AYT) A drug that helps control the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood and is being studied in the prevention and…
RPI.4610A 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.
RPR 109881AA substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called taxanes.
RSR13A substance being studied for its ability to increase the effectiveness of radiation therapy. It is a type of radiosensitizer. Also called efaproxiral.
RSVA virus that causes respiratory infections with cold-like symptoms. Also called respiratory syncytial virus.
RTA 744A substance being studied in the treatment of adult brain tumors. RTA 744 crosses the blood-brain barrier and blocks an enzyme needed for cancer growth.
RU 486A drug used to end early pregnancies. It is also being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer and other conditions.
Rubex(ROO-bex) A drug that is used to treat many types of cancer and is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.
rV-TRICOMA cancer vaccine made with a form of a vaccinia virus that does not cause disease in humans. It is being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
S-1A drug that is being studied for its ability to enhance the effectiveness of fluorouracil and prevent gastrointestinal side effects caused by fluorouracil.
S-phase fractionA measure of the percentage of cells in a tumor that are in the phase of the cell cycle during which DNA is synthesized.
S100 calcium binding protein A8(⦠KAL-see-um ⦠PROH-teen â¦) A protein that is made by many different types of cells and is involved in processes that…
S100 calcium binding protein A9(⦠KAL-see-um ⦠PROH-teen â¦) A protein that is made by many different types of cells and is involved in processes that…
sacrum(SAY-krum) The large, triangle-shaped bone in the lower spine that forms part of the pelvis. It is made of 5 fused bones of the spine.
safingol(SA-fin-gol) A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called protein kinase inhibitors.
SAHAA drug that is used to treat cutaneous T-cell lymphoma that does not get better, gets worse, or comes back during or after treatment with other drugs.
saliva(suh-LIE-vuh) The watery fluid in the mouth made by the salivary glands. Saliva moistens food to help digestion and it helps protect the mouth against…
Salivary gland(SA-lih-VAYR-ee gland) A gland in the mouth that produces saliva.
salivary gland cancer(SA-lih-VAYR-ee gland KAN-ser) A rare cancer that forms in tissues of a salivary gland (gland in the mouth that makes saliva).
salpingo-oophorectomy(sal-PIN-goh-oh-oh-foh-REK-toh-mee) Surgical removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries.
Salvage Therapy(SAL-vij THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment that is given after the cancer has not responded to other treatments.
samarium 153(suh-MAYR-ee-um ...) A radioactive substance used in the treatment of bone cancer and bone metastases (cancers that have spread from the original tumor to…
samarium Sm 153 lexidronam pentasodium(suh-MAYR-ee-umâ¦LEK-sih-DROH-nam PEN-tuh-SOH-dee-um) A drug used to treat pain caused by bone cancer and other cancers that have spread to the…
saponinA substance found in soybeans and many other plants. Saponins may help lower cholesterol and may have anticancer effects.
saquinavir mesylateA drug that belongs to the family of drugs called protease inhibitors. It interferes with the ability of a virus to make copies of itself.
sarCNUA substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called alkylating agents.
sarcoidAn inflammatory disease marked by the formation of granulomas (small nodules of immune cells) in the lungs, lymph nodes, and other organs.
sarcoidosisAn inflammatory disease marked by the formation of granulomas (small nodules of immune cells) in the lungs, lymph nodes, and other organs.
sarcomaA cancer of the bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue.
sarcomatoid carcinoma(sar-KOH-muh-toyd kar-sih-NOH-muh) A type of cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs and that contains long…
sarcosinamide nitrosoureaA substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called alkylating agents. Also called sarCNU.
sargramostimA substance that helps make more white blood cells, especially granulocytes, macrophages, and cells that become platelets.
satraplatin(SA-truh-PLA-tin) A substance being studied in the treatment of prostate and other types of cancer.
saturated fat(SA-chu-RAY-tedâ¦) A type of fat with certain chemical properties that is usually solid at room temperature.
saw palmetto(...pawl-MEH-toh) A shrub that is a member of the palm tree family. An extract made from the berries of this shrub has been studied in the treatment of…
SB-715992A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. SB-715992 blocks a protein that tumor cells need to divide. It is a type of mitotic inhibitor.
SB939A substance being studied in the treatment of several types of cancer. SB939 blocks the action of an enzyme called histone deacetylase (HDAC) and may stop…
SC-70935A substance being studied for its ability to stimulate the production of blood cells during chemotherapy. It is a type of colony-stimulating factor.
scalpel(SKAL-pul) A small, thin knife used for surgery.
scanA picture of structures inside the body. Scans often used in diagnosing, staging, and monitoring disease include liver scans, bone scans, and computed…
scannerIn medicine, an instrument that takes pictures of the inside of the body.
SCFA 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.
SCH 54031A drug used to treat hepatitis C infections. It is also being studied in the treatment and prevention of cancer.
SCH 66336An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called enzyme inhibitors. Also called lonafarnib.
SCH-58500A substance that has been studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. SCH-58500 is a weakened adenovirus that carries the p53 gene into tumor cells…
schedule(SKEH-jool) In clinical trials, the step-by-step plan for how patients are to be treated; for example, the drug or type of radiation therapy that is to be…
Schiller test(SHIL-er) A test in which iodine is applied to the cervix. The iodine colors healthy cells brown; abnormal cells remain unstained, usually appearing white…
schizophrenia(SKIT-soh-FREE-nee-uh) A group of severe mental disorders in which a person has trouble telling the difference between real and unreal experiences…
Schwann cellA type of glial cell of the peripheral nervous system that helps separate and insulate nerve cells.
Schwann cells(shwon sels) specialized glial cells that form the myelin sheath that coats many axons (nerve cells that carry messages away from the cell).
schwannoma(shwah-NO-ma) A tumor of the peripheral nervous system that arises in the nerve sheath (protective covering).
SCIDA rare, inherited disease that is marked by a lack of B lymphocytes (white blood cells that make antibodies and help fight infections) and a lack of T…
ScientistA person who has studied science, especially one who is active in a particular field of investigation.
scintigraphy(sin-TIH-gruh-fee) A procedure that produces pictures (scans) of structures inside the body, including areas where there are cancer cells.
scintimammography(SIN-tih-ma-MAH-gruh-fee) A type of breast imaging test that is used to detect cancer cells in the breasts of some women who have had abnormal mammograms…
sclera(SKLER-uh) The white layer of the eye that covers most of the outside of the eyeball.
sclerodermaA chronic disorder marked by hardening and thickening of the skin. Scleroderma can be localized or it can affect the entire body (systemic).
Sclerosis(skleh ro' sis) a hardening, especially of a part that has been inflammed. There is increased formation of connective tissue.
screening(SKREEN-ing) Checking for disease when there are no symptoms. Since screening may find diseases at an early stage, there may be a better chance of curing…
screening mammogramX-rays of the breasts taken to check for breast cancer in the absence of signs or symptoms.
Screening testTests used to check, or screen, for disease when there are no symptoms. Recommended screening tests for colorectal cancer include the fecal occult blood…
scrotum(SKRO-tum) In males, the external sac that contains the testicles.
Scutellaria barbataAn herb that belongs to a group of herbs named the Scutellaria species or scullcap.
SDX-102A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called antimetabolites. Also called alanosine.
Se-methyl-seleno-L-cysteine(⦠-MEH-thul-seh-LEE-noh ⦠SIS-teh-een) A substance that contains the element selenium (a nutrient that protects cells against…
sebum(SEE-bum) An oily substance produced by certain glands in the skin.
second primary cancerRefers to a new primary cancer in a person with a history of cancer.
second-line therapy(...THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment that is given when initial treatment (first-line therapy) doesn't work, or stops working.
second-look surgerySurgery performed after primary treatment to determine whether tumor cells remain.
secondary cancerA term that is used to describe either a new primary cancer or cancer that has spread from the place in which it started to other parts of the body.
secondhand smokeSmoke that comes from the burning of a tobacco product and smoke that is exhaled by smokers.
sedative(SEH-duh-tiv) A drug or substance used to calm a person down, relieve anxiety, or help a person sleep.
sedimentation rateThe distance red blood cells travel in one hour in a sample of blood as they settle to the bottom of a test tube.
sedoxantrone trihydrochloride(seh-DOX-an-trone try-HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
SEER RegistriesGeographic areas that were selected for inclusion in the SEER Program based on their ability to operate and maintain a high quality population-based…
segmental cystectomy(seg-MEN-tul sis-TEK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove part of the bladder (the organ that holds urine). Also called partial cystectomy.
segmental mastectomy(seg-MEN-tul ma-STEK-toh-mee) The removal of cancer as well as some of the breast tissue around the tumor and the lining over the chest muscles below the…
segmental resection(seg-MEN-tul ree-SEK-shun) A surgical procedure to remove part of an organ or gland. It may also be used to remove a tumor and normal tissue around it.
segmentectomy(seg-men-TEK-toh-mee) A surgical procedure to remove part of an organ or gland. It may also be used to remove a tumor and normal tissue around it.
seizure(SEE-zhur) Convulsion; a sudden, involuntary movement of the muscles.
selection biasAn error in choosing the individuals or groups to take part in a study. Ideally, the subjects in a study should be very similar to one another and to the…
selective estrogen receptor modulator(seh-LEK-tiv ES-truh-jin reh-SEP-ter MAH-juh-lay-ter) A drug that acts like estrogen on some tissues but blocks the effect of estrogen on other tissues.
selenium(suh-LEE-nee-um) A mineral that is needed by the body to stay healthy. It is being studied in the prevention and treatment of some types of cancer.
self-esteemA feeling of self-worth, self-confidence, and self-respect.
sella turcicaA depression of the bone at the base of the skull where the pituitary gland is located.
semaxanib(seh-MAX-uh-nib) A substance that has been studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the families of drugs called angiogenesis inhibitors and…
semenThe fluid that is released through the penis during orgasm. Semen is made up of sperm from the testicles and fluid from the prostate and other sex glands.