sweet elmThe inner bark of this plant has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems. It may have antioxidant effects.
SWSA rare, congenital disorder that affects the brain, skin, and eyes. Abnormal blood vessel growth occurs in the trigeminal nerve in the face and the…
sympathetic nervous system(SIM-puh-THEH-tik NER-vus SISS-tum) The part of the nervous system that increases heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, and pupil size.
SymptomA sign or indication that a person has a condition or disease. Some examples of symptoms are headache, fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and pain.
symptom managementCare given to improve the quality of life of patients who have a serious or life-threatening disease.
symptomaticHaving to do with symptoms, which are signs of a condition or disease.
syncytiumA large cell-like structure formed by the joining together of two or more cells. The plural is syncytia.
syndrome(SIN-drome) A set of symptoms or conditions that occur together and suggest the presence of a certain disease or an increased chance of developing the…
synergistic(SIH-ner-JIS-tik) In medicine, describes the interaction of two or more drugs when their combined effect is greater than the sum of the effects seen when…
Syngeneic(SIN-juh-NAY-ik) Having to do with individuals or tissues that have identical genes.
syngeneic bone marrow transplantation(SIN-jeh-NAY-ik bone MAYR-oh tranz-plan-TAY-shun) A procedure in which a person receives bone marrow donated by his or her healthy identical twin.
syngeneic stem cell transplantation(SIN-jeh-NAY-ik stem sel tranz-plan-TAY-shun) A procedure in which a patient receives blood-forming stem cells (cells from which all blood cells develop)…
synovial membraneA layer of connective tissue that lines the cavities of joints, tendon sheaths, and bursae (fluid-filled sacs between tendons and bones).
synovial sarcomaA malignant tumor that develops in the synovial membrane of the joints.
synovitis(SIH-noh-VY-tis) Inflammation (swelling, pain, and warmth) of a synovial membrane, which is a layer of connective tissue that lines a joint, such as the…
synthetic(sin-THEH-tik) Having to do with substances that are man-made instead of taken from nature.
synthetic protegrin analog(sin-THEH-tik proh-TEH-grin A-nuh-log) A form of a protegrin that is made in the laboratory.
synthetic retinoid(sin-THET-ik RET-in-oyd) A substance related to vitamin A that is produced in a laboratory.
syringeA small hollow tube used for injecting or withdrawing liquids. It may be attached to a needle in order to withdraw fluid from the body or inject drugs…
systemic chemotherapy(sis-TEH-mik KEE-moh-THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment with anticancer drugs that travel through the blood to cells all over the body.
systemic disease(sis-TEH-mik dih-ZEEZ) Disease that affects the whole body.
systemic inflammatory response syndrome(sis-TEH-mik in-FLA-muh-TOR-ee reh-SPONTS SIN-drome) A serious condition in which there is inflammation throughout the whole body.
systemic lupus erythematosus(sis-TEH-mik LOO-pus ER-ih-THEE-muh-TOH-sus) A chronic, inflammatory, connective tissue disease that can affect the joints and many organs, including the…
systemic mastocytosis(sis-TEH-mik MAS-toh-sy-TOH-sis) A rare disease in which too many mast cells (a type of immune system cell) are found in the skin, bones, joints, lymph…
systemic radiation therapy(sis-TEH-mik RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee) A type of radiation therapy in which a radioactive substance, such radioactive idoine or a radioactively…
systemic scleroderma(sis-TEH-mik SKLEH-roh-DER-muh) A disease that is marked by hardening and thickening of skin, connective tissue that surrounds other tissues and organs…
systemic sclerosis(sis-TEH-mik skleh-ROH-sis) A disease that is marked by hardening and thickening of skin, connective tissue that surrounds other tissues and organs, and…
Systemic Therapy(sis-TEH-mik THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment using substances that travel through the bloodstream, reaching and affecting cells all over the body.
T cellOne type of white blood cell that attacks virus-infected cells, foreign cells, and cancer cells.
T lymphocyteOne type of white blood cell that attacks virus-infected cells, foreign cells, and cancer cells.
t testA statistical test that is used to find out if there is a real difference between the means (averages) of two different groups.
T-3A thyroid hormone. Also called triiodothyronine.
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia(...LIM-foh-BLAS-tik loo-KEE-mee-uh) A type of leukemia (blood cancer) in which too many T-cell lymphoblasts (immature white blood cells) are found in the…
T-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia(...LIM-foh-SIH-tik loo-KEE-mee-uh) A type of leukemia (blood cancer) in which too many T-cell lymphoblasts (immature white blood cells) are found in the…
T-cell depletion(... sel dih-PLEE-shun) Treatment to destroy T cells, which play an important role in the immune response.
T-cell lymphoma(... sel lim-FOH-muh) A disease in which certain cells of the lymph system (called T lymphocytes) become cancerous.
T-lymphoblastic lymphoma(LIM-foh-BLAS-tik lim-FOH-muh) A type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in which too many T-cell lymphoblasts (immature white blood cells) are found in the lymph…
T138067An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called mitotic inhibitors. It inhibits the growth of cancer cells by preventing cell division.
T4A hormone that is made by the thyroid gland and contains iodine. T4 increases the rate of chemical reactions in cells and helps control growth and…
T4N5 liposomal lotion(... LY-poh-SOH-mul LOH-shun) A lotion being studied in the treatment of skin cancer and a skin condition called xeroderma pigmentosum.
T900607A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called tubulin-binding agents.
TAC-101A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the families of drugs called synthetic retinoids and angiogenesis inhibitors.
TachycardiaRapid beating of the heart, usually defined as greater than 100 beats per minute.
tacrolimusA drug used to help reduce the risk of rejection by the body of organ and bone marrow transplants.
TAG-72 antigenA protein/sugar complex found on the surface of many cancer cells, including breast, colon, and pancreatic cells.
tai chi (ty chee)A form of traditional Chinese mind/body exercise and meditation that uses slow sets of body movements and controlled breathing.
tailboneThe small bone at the bottom of the spine. It is made up of 3-5 fused bones. Also called coccyx.
tailored intervention(TAY-lurd IN-ter-VEN-shun) The use of communication, drugs, or other types of treatments that are specific for an individual or a group to improve health…
talabostat(tal-AB-oh-stat) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer, including certain types of lung, pancreas, and brain cancer.
talabostat mesylate(tal-AB-oh-stat MEH-zih-layt) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer, including certain types of lung, pancreas, and brain cancer.
talampanelA substance that is being studied in the treatment of brain tumors and other brain disorders, such as epilepsy and Parkinson disease.
talaporfin sodium(tal-uh-PORE-fin SOH-dee-um) A drug used in photodynamic therapy. When absorbed by cancer cells and exposed to light, the drug becomes active and kills…
talcA mineral, usually used in a powdered form. In cancer treatment, sterile talc is used to prevent pleural effusions (an abnormal collection of fluid in the…
talk therapy(...THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment of mental, emotional, personality, and behavioral disorders using methods such as discussion, listening, and counseling.
talotrexin(tal-oh-TREX-in) A substance that is being studied in the treatment of leukemia and some other types of cancer.
tamoxifen(tuh-MOK-sih-FEN) A drug used to treat certain types of breast cancer in women and men.
tamoxifen citrate(tuh-MOK-sih-FEN SIH-trayt) A drug used to treat certain types of breast cancer in women and men.
tamsulosin(tam-SOO-loh-sin) A drug used to treat urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate.
tamsulosin hydrochloride(tam-SOO-loh-sin HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A drug used to treat urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate.
tandutinib(tan-doo-TY-nib) A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
tanespimycin(tah-NEH-spih-MY-sin) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is made from an antibiotic called geldanamycin.
Tarceva(tar-SEE-vuh) A drug used to treat certain types of non-small cell lung cancer.
targeted therapy(... THAYR-uh-pee) A type of treatment that uses drugs or other substances, such as monoclonal antibodies, to identify and attack specific cancer cells…
Targretin(tar-GRET-in) A drug used to treat skin problems caused by cutaneous T-cell lymphoma that have not gotten better after other treatment.
tariquidar(tar-IH-kwih-dar) A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer.
Tasigna(tuh-SIG-nuh) A drug used to treat certain types of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML).
taurolidineA substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called anti-infectives.
taxaneA type of drug that blocks cell growth by stopping mitosis (cell division). Taxanes interfere with microtubules (cellular structures that help move…
Taxol(TAK-sol) A drug used to treat breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma.
Taxotere(TAK-soh-teer) A drug used together with other drugs to treat certain types of breast cancer, stomach cancer, prostate cancer, and certain types of head…
tazarotene(tuh-ZAR-oh-teen) A drug used on the skin to treat several skin conditions. It is also being studied in the treatment of basal cell skin cancer and basal…
Tazorac(TAZ-oh-rak) A drug used on the skin to treat several skin conditions. It is also being studied in the treatment of basal cell skin cancer and basal cell…
TBA disease caused by a specific type of bacteria that spreads from one person to another through the air.
TCMA medical system that has been used for thousands of years to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease.
tea treeA tree that is a member of the myrtle family. Oil from the tea tree is used in shampoos and skin care products and to treat skin infections.
technetium Tc 94m sestamibi(tek-NEE-shee-um ⦠SES-tuh-MIH-bee) A substance being studied in certain cancer-imaging tests using positron emission tomography (PET).
tegafurAn anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called antimetabolites.
tegafur-uracil(TEG-uh-fur YOOR-uh-sil) A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. It is a combination of tegafur and uracil.
teicoplaninA substance used to treat bacterial infections. It belongs to the family of drugs called antibiotics.
telangiectasia(tel-AN-gee-ek-TAY-zha) The permanent enlargement of blood vessels, causing redness in the skin or mucous membranes.
Telcyta(tel-SY-tuh) A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called glutathione analogs.
telemedicine(TEH-leh-MEH-dih-sin) The delivery of healthcare from a distance using electronic information and technology such as computers, cameras…
Temodar(TEM-oh-dar) A drug that is used to treat certain types of brain tumors in adults and is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.
temoporfinAn anticancer drug that is also used in cancer prevention. It belongs to the family of drugs called photosensitizing agents.
temozolomide(teh-moh-ZOH-loh-mide) A drug that is used to treat certain types of brain tumors in adults and is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.
temsirolimus(TEM-sir-OH-lih-mus) A drug used to treat advanced renal cell carcinoma (a type of kidney cancer).
tendon(TEN-dun) Tough, fibrous, cord-like tissue that connects muscle to bone or another structure, such as an eyeball.
teniposideAn anticancer drug that is a podophyllotoxin derivative and belongs to the family of drugs called mitotic inhibitors.
TENSA technique in which mild electric currents are applied to some areas of the skin by a small power pack connected to two electrodes.
Teratocarcinoma(TAYR-uh-toh-KAR-sih-NOH-muh) A type of germ cell cancer that usually forms in the testes (testicles).
Teratoma(tayr-uh-TOH-muh) A type of germ cell tumor that may contain several different types of tissue, such as hair, muscle, and bone.
terazosin(ter-AY-zoh-sin) A drug used to treat urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate.
terazosin hydrochloride(ter-AY-zoh-sin HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A drug used to treat urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate.
terminal diseaseDisease that cannot be cured and will cause death.
terpene(TER-peen) A type of strong-smelling chemical substance found in some plants, especially trees that have cones.
testicle(TES-tih-kul) One of two egg-shaped glands inside the scrotum that produce sperm and male hormones. Also called testis.