Virus(VY-rus) In medicine, a very simple microorganism that infects cells and may cause disease.
virus replication cycle(VY-rus reh-plih-KAY-shun...) The reproduction cycle of viruses. A replication cycle begins with the infection of a host cell and ends with the release of…
virus-neutralizing antibody(VY-rus-NOO-truh-lize-ing AN-tih-BAH-dee) An antibody that binds to a virus and interferes with its ability to infect a cell.
visceraThe soft internal organs of the body, including the lungs, the heart, and the organs of the digestive, excretory, and reproductive systems.
visceralHaving to do with the viscera, which are the soft internal organs of the body, including the lungs, the heart, and the organs of the digestive, excretory…
visceral peritoneum(VIH-suh-rul PAYR-ih-toh-NEE-um) The layers of tissue that cover the outer surface of most organs in the abdomen, including the intestines.
viscotoxin(VIS-koh-TOK-sin) A member of a group of small proteins produced by mistletoe plants that are able to kill cells and may stimulate the immune system.
visilizumabA monoclonal antibody that binds to CD3 (a substance found on T-cells) and that is being studied as a treatment for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).
visual analog scale(VIH-zhoo-ul A-nuh-log skayl) A tool used to help a person rate the intensity of certain sensations and feelings, such as pain.
visual pathway glioma(...glee-OH-muh) A rare, slow-growing tumor that usually forms in the optic nerve, optic chiasm, or optic tract.
vitalNecessary to maintain life. Breathing is a vital function.
vitaminA key nutrient that the body needs in small amounts to grow and stay strong. Examples are vitamins A, C, and E.
vitamin A(VY-tuh-minâ¦) One of several vitamins that the body needs in small amounts to function and stay healthy.
vitamin A acid(VY-tuh-min...A-sid) A form of vitamin A that is made by the body, and can also be made in the laboratory.
vitamin B12(VY-tuh-min ...) A vitamin that is needed to make red blood cells and DNA (the genetic material in cells) and to keep nerve cells healthy.
vitamin B6(VY-tuh-minâ¦) A key nutrient that the body needs to break down proteins, carbohydrates, and fats in food for healthy blood, skin, and nerves.
vitamin C(VY-tuh-minâ¦) A key nutrient that the body needs to fight infection, heal wounds, and keep tissues healthy, including the blood vessels…
vitamin DA nutrient that helps the body use calcium and phosphorus and make strong bones and teeth. It is found in fatty fish, eggs, and dairy products.
vitamin EA substance used in cancer prevention. It belongs to the family of drugs called tocopherols.
vitamin KA substance that promotes the clotting of blood.
vitamin Q10A substance found in most tissues in the body, and in many foods. It can also be made in the laboratory.
vitreous humor(VIH-tree-us HYOO-mer) The clear jelly-like substance that fills the inside of the eyeball. As a person ages, the vitreous humor becomes more liquid.
Vivitrol(VIH-vih-trol) A drug that blocks the action of opiates (drugs used to treat pain).
VNP20009A genetically modified Salmonella bacterium that is injected into the tumor. It is being studied for its ability to shrink solid tumors.
VNP40101MA substance that is being studied as a treatment for cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called alkylating agents.
vocal cord(VOH-kul kord) One of two small bands of muscle within the larynx that vibrates to produce the voice.
voice boxThe area of the throat containing the vocal cords and used for breathing, swallowing, and talking. Also called larynx.
volociximab(voh-loh-SIK-sih-mab) A monoclonal antibody that is being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
Voltaren(vol-TAYR-en) A drug that is used to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and is being studied in the prevention and treatment of some types of skin…
Voltaren gel(vol-TAYR-en JEL) The gel form of a drug that is used to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and is being studied in the prevention and treatment…
vomitTo eject some or all of the contents of the stomach through the mouth.
von Hippel-Lindau syndromeA rare inherited disorder in which blood vessels grow abnormally in the eyes, brain, spinal cord, adrenal glands, or other parts of the body.
voriconazoleA drug that treats infections caused by fungi.
vorinostat(vor-IN-oh-stat) A 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…
vorozoleA hormone therapy drug used to decrease the production of estrogen.
vulvaThe external female genital organs, including the clitoris, vaginal lips, and the opening to the vagina.
vulvar cancerCancer of the vulva (the external female genital organs, including the clitoris, vaginal lips, and the opening to the vagina).
VX 853A drug being studied to make cancer cells less resistant to the effects of chemotherapy.
VX-710A drug being studied to make cancer cells less resistant to the effects of chemotherapy.
WAGR syndrome(... SIN-drome) A rare, genetic disorder that is present at birth and has two or more of the following symptoms: Wilms tumor (a type of kidney cancer)…
Waldenström macroglobulinemia(VOL-den-strurm MA-kroh-GLAH-byoo-lih-NEE-mee-uh) An indolent (slow-growing) type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma marked by abnormal levels of IgM antibodies in…
warfarinA drug that prevents blood from clotting. It belongs to the family of drugs called anticoagulants (blood thinners).
wartA raised growth on the surface of the skin or other organ.
watchful waitingClosely monitoring a patient's condition but withholding treatment until symptoms appear or change.
water-soluble vitamin(⦠SOL-yoo-bul VY-tuh-min) A vitamin that can dissolve in water. Water-soluble vitamins are carried to the body's tissues but are not stored in…
watercressParts of the flowering plant have been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems. It may have anticancer effects.
WBCRefers to a blood cell that does not contain hemoglobin. White blood cells include lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, macrophages, and mast cells.
wedge resectionA surgical procedure to remove a triangle-shaped slice of tissue. It may be used to remove a tumor and a small amount of normal tissue around it.
well-differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma(LIM-foh-SIH-tik lim-FOH-muh) An indolent (slow-growing) type of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma marked by swollen lymph nodes that usually occurs in people…
Wellcovorin(well-coh-VOR-in) A drug used to reduce the toxic effects of folic acid antagonists (substances that block the action of folic acid), especially the…
Wermer syndrome(WER-mer SIN-drome) A rare, inherited disorder that affects the endocrine glands and can cause tumors in the parathyroid and pituitary glands and the…
Western medicine(... MEH-dih-sin) A system in which medical doctors and other healthcare professionals (such as nurses, pharmacists, and therapists) treat symptoms and…
WGA studyA study that compares the complete DNA of people with a disease or condition to the DNA of people without the disease or condition.
whey protein powder(WAY PROH-teen â¦) A powdered form of proteins taken from whey, which is the liquid left over when cheese is made from cow's milk.
Whipple procedureA type of surgery used to treat pancreatic cancer. The head of the pancreas, the duodenum, a portion of the stomach, and other nearby tissues are removed.
white blood cellRefers to a blood cell that does not contain hemoglobin. White blood cells include lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, macrophages, and mast cells.
Whitmore-Jewett staging system(WIT-mor-JOO-et STAY-jing SIS-tem) A staging system for prostate cancer that uses ABCD. "A" and "B" refer to cancer that is confined to the prostate.
WHOA part of the United Nations that deals with major health issues around the world.
whole cell vaccineVaccine made from whole tumor cells that have been changed in the laboratory.
whole genome association study(... JEE-nome uh-SOH-see-AY-shun ...) A study that compares the complete DNA of people with a disease or condition to the DNA of people without the…
whooping cough(WOOP-ing kof) A serious bacterial infection of the lungs and breathing tubes that spreads easily.
wide local excision(â¦ek-SIH-zhun) Surgery to cut out the cancer and some healthy tissue around it.
wild cloverTrifolium pratense. A plant with flowers that has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems.
WillA will is a legal document you use to transfer assets you have accumulated during your lifetime to the people and institutions you want to have them after…
Wilms tumorA disease in which malignant (cancer) cells are found in the kidney, and may spread to the lungs, liver, or nearby lymph nodes.
windpipeThe airway that leads from the larynx (voice box) to the bronchi (large airways that lead to the lungs). Also called trachea.
wisdom tooth(WIZ-dum tooth) The last tooth to come in at the back of each side of the upper and lower jaws.
Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome(WIS-kot AL-drich SIN-drome) An inherited immune disorder that occurs in young boys.
Wobe-Mugos EA mixture made from an extract of the calf thymus gland and enzymes (proteins that speed up chemical reactions in the body) from the papaya plant, the…
womb (woom)The small, hollow, pear-shaped organ in a woman's pelvis. This is the organ in which a baby grows. Also called uterus.
World Health OrganizationA part of the United Nations that deals with major health issues around the world.
wound (woond)A break in the skin or other body tissues caused by injury or surgical incision (cut).
WX-671A substance being studied in the treatment of several types of cancer. It blocks the action of certain enzymes, and it may help keep cancer cells from…
X-rayA type of high-energy radiation. In low doses, x-rays are used to diagnose diseases by making pictures of the inside of the body.
x-ray therapy(...THAYR-uh-pee) A type of radiation therapy that uses high-energy radiation from x-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
Xanax(ZAN-ax) A drug used to treat anxiety disorders and panic attacks. It is being studied in the treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by some cancer…
Xeloda(zeh-LOH-duh) A drug used to treat stage III colon cancer in patients who had surgery to remove the cancer.
XenograftThe cells of one species transplanted to another species.
xeroderma pigmentosum(ZEER-oh-DER-ma pig-men-TOH-sum) A genetic condition marked by an extreme sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation, including sunlight.
xerogramA picture of the body recorded on paper rather than on film. Also called xeroradiograph.
xeroradiographA picture of the body recorded on paper rather than on film. Also called xerogram.
xeroradiography(zeer-oh-RAY-dee-AH-gruh-fee) A type of x-ray in which a picture of the body is recorded on paper rather than on film.
xerostomiaDry mouth. It occurs when the body is not able to make enough saliva.
XK469RA substance that is being studied in the treatment of leukemia. It belongs to the family of drugs called topoisomerase inhibitors.
XL880A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. XL880 blocks enzymes involved in the growth and spread of tumor cells and in the growth of new blood…
XR9576A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It may help tumor cells respond again to drugs they have become resistant (unable to…
XRP9881A substance that is being studied in the treatment of breast cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called taxane derivatives.
Xyotax(ZY-oh-tax) A form of the anticancer drug paclitaxel combined with a protein called poliglumex that may have fewer side effects and work better than…
Y 90 ibritumomab tiuxetan(... ih-brih-TOO-moh-mab ty-oo-EKS-eh-tan) A radiolabeled monoclonal antibody that is used to treat certain types of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma and is…
Y 90 Zevalin(... ZEV-uh-lin) A radiolabeled monoclonal antibody that is used to treat certain types of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma and is being studied in the…
yangona(yan-GOH-nuh) An herb native to islands in the South Pacific. Substances taken from the root have been used in some cultures to relieve stress, anxiety…
yin and yangIn Chinese philosophy, yin and yang are opposite forces that form a whole. Everything contains both yin and yang in a balance that is always changing…
YKL-40A substance that may be found in higher-than-normal amounts in the blood of patients with certain types of cancer and inflammatory diseases.
YM598A substance that is being studied as a treatment for advanced prostate cancer and for pain caused by prostate cancer that has spread to the bone.
yoga(YOH-guh) An ancient system of practices used to balance the mind and body through exercise, meditation (focusing thoughts), and control of breathing and…
yohimbe(yo-HIM-bay) A tree native to West Africa. The bark is used as a supplement for bodybuilding and to enhance male sexual performance.
yttrium(IH-tree-um) A metal of the rare earth group of elements. A radioactive form of yttrium may be attached to a monoclonal antibody or other molecule that…
yttrium Y 90(IH-tree-um â¦) A radioactive form of the rare metal yttrium that is used in radiation therapy to treat some types of tumors.