autoclave-resistant factorA substance found in soybeans that may slow down or stop the spread of cancer. This substance does not break down in an autoclave (a device that uses…
Autoimmune disease(AW-toh-ih-MYOON...) A condition in which the body recognizes its own tissues as foreign and directs an immune response against them.
autoimmune enteropathy(AW-toh-ih-MYOON en-teh-RAH-puh-thee) A rare disease in which certain cells in the intestine are destroyed by a patient's immune system.
autoimmune hemolytic anemia(AW-toh-ih-MYOON hee-moh-LIH-tik uh-NEE-mee-uh) A condition in which the body's immune system stops red blood cells from forming or causes them to clump…
Autologous(aw-TAH-luh-gus) Taken from an individual's own tissues, cells, or DNA.
autologous bone marrow(aw-TAH-luh-gus bone MAYR-oh) In transplantation, refers to a person's own bone marrow.
autologous bone marrow transplantation(aw-TAH-luh-gus bone MAYR-oh tranz-plan-TAY-shun) A procedure in which bone marrow is removed from a person, stored, and then given back to the person…
autologous lymphocyte(aw-TAH-luh-gus LIM-foh-site) In transplantation, refers to a person's own white blood cells.
autologous stem cell transplantation(aw-TAH-luh-gus ... tranz-plan-TAY-shun) A procedure in which blood-forming stem cells (cells from which all blood cells develop) are removed, stored, and…
autologous tumor cell(aw-TAH-luh-gus TOO-mer sel) A cancer cell from an individual's own tumor.
Autonomic Nervous System(AW-toh-NAH-mik NER-vus SIS-tem) The part of the nervous system that controls muscles of internal organs (such as the heart, blood vessels, lungs…
autophagy(aw-TOF-uh-jee) A normal process in which a cell destroys proteins and other substances in its cytoplasm (the fluid inside the cell membrane but outside…
Avage(AY-vahj) 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…
Avandia(uh-VAN-dee-uh) A drug that helps control the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood and is being studied in the prevention and treatment of some types of…
Avastin(uh-VAS-tin) A monoclonal antibody used in the treatment of colorectal cancer that has spread.
Avelox(A-veh-lox) A drug used to treat bacterial infections. It is a type of fluoroquinolone. Also called moxifloxacin and moxifloxacin hydrochloride .
AvitaA topical preparation of tretinoin that is used to treat acne. Tretinoin is a form of vitamin A.
AvodartA drug used to treat symptoms of an enlarged prostate gland. It is being studied in the treatment of male hair loss and prostate cancer.
avoidance(uh-VOY-dunts) The act of staying away from people, places, and thoughts that may cause anxiety, pain, or unpleasant feelings.
axillary(AK-sih-LAYR-ee) Pertaining to the armpit area, including the lymph nodes that are located there.
axillary dissection(AK-sih-LAYR-ee dy-SEK-shun) Surgery to remove lymph nodes found in the armpit region. Also called axillary lymph node dissection.
axillary lymph node(AK-sih-LAYR-ee limf ...) A lymph node in the armpit region that drains lymph channels from the breast.
axillary lymph node dissection(AK-sih-LAYR-ee limfâ¦dy-SEK-shun) Surgery to remove lymph nodes found in the armpit region. Also called axillary dissection.
axitinib(AX-ih-TIH-nib) A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
azacitidine(ay-zuh-SITE-ih-deen) A drug that is used to treat myelodysplastic syndromes and is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.
azaspirane(AY-zuh-SPEER-ane) A substance being studied in the treatment of certain multiple myelomas and other advanced cancers.
AZD0530A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. AZD0530 blocks enzymes needed for cancer growth.
AZD2171A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. AZD2171 blocks the growth of new blood vessels needed for tumors to grow and may kill…
AZD2281A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. It blocks enzymes that repair DNA damage caused by cancer treatments such as radiation…
AZD6244A substance being studied in the treatment of several types of cancer. AZD6244 blocks proteins needed for cell growth and may kill cancer cells.
azoxymethaneA substance that is used in cancer research to cause colon tumors in laboratory animals.
AZQAn anticancer drug that is able to cross the blood-brain barrier and kill cancer cells in the central nervous system. Also called diaziquone.
AZTA drug that inhibits the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes AIDS. Also called zidovudine.
B cellA white blood cell that comes from bone marrow. As part of the immune system, B cells make antibodies and help fight infections. Also called B lymphocyte.
B lymphocyteA white blood cell that comes from bone marrow. As part of the immune system, B lymphocytes make antibodies and help fight infections. Also called B cell.
B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia(... sel uh-KYOOT LIM-foh-BLAS-tik loo-KEE-mee-uh) A type of leukemia (blood cancer) in which too many B-cell lymphoblasts (immature white blood cells)…
B-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia(... sel uh-KYOOT LIM-foh-SIH-tik loo-KEE-mee-uh) A type of leukemia (blood cancer) in which too many B-cell lymphoblasts (immature white blood cells) are…
B-cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 protein(... sel loo-KEE-mee-uh/lim-FOH-muh 2 PROH-teen) A protein that helps control whether a cell lives or dies by blocking a type of cell death called…
B-cell lymphoma(â¦lim-FOH-muh) A type of cancer that forms in B cells (a type of immune system cell).
backboneThe bones, muscles, tendons, and other tissues that reach from the base of the skull to the tailbone.
baclofen(BAK-loh-fen) A drug that is used to treat certain types of muscle spasms and is being studied in the treatment of liver cancer.
baclofen/amitriptyline/ketamine gel(bak-LOH-fen AM-ih-TRIP-tih-leen KEET-uh-meen JEL) A substance being studied in the treatment of peripheral neuropathy (pain, numbness, tingling, burning…
Bacteria(bak-TEER-ee-uh) A large group of single-cell microorganisms. Some cause infections and disease in animals and humans.
bacterial toxin(bak-TEER-ee-ul TOK-sin) A toxic substance, made by bacteria, that can be modified to kill specific tumor cells without harming normal cells.
BAK gelA substance being studied in the treatment of peripheral neuropathy (pain, numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness in the hands or feet) caused by…
balloon angioplasty(buh-LOON 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…
Barbiturate(bar-BICH-u-rit) A drug used to treat insomnia, seizures, and convulsions, and to relieve anxiety and tension before surgery.
barium enemaA procedure in which a liquid with barium in it is put into the rectum and colon by way of the anus.
barium solutionA liquid containing barium sulfate that is used in x-rays to highlight parts of the digestive system.
barium swallowA series of x-rays of the esophagus. The x-ray pictures are taken after the person drinks a solution that contains barium.
Barrett esophagus(BA-ret ee-SAH-fuh-gus) A condition in which the cells lining the lower part of the esophagus have changed or been replaced with abnormal cells that could…
barrier(BAYR-ee-er) Something that blocks, prevents, separates, or limits.
basal cell(BAY-sul SEL) A small, round cell found in the lower part (or base) of the epidermis, the outer layer of the skin.
basal cell carcinoma(BAY-sul SEL KAR-sih-NOH-muh) A type of skin cancer that arises from the basal cells, small round cells found in the lower part (or base) of the…
basal cell nevus syndrome(BAY-sul SEL NEE-vus SIN-drome) A genetic condition that causes unusual facial features and disorders of the skin, bones, nervous system, eyes, and…
baselineAn initial measurement that is taken at an early time point to represent a beginning condition, and is used for comparison over time to look for changes.
basophilA type of white blood cell. Basophils are granulocytes.
batimastatAn anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called angiogenesis inhibitors. Batimastat is a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor.
batracylin(BA-truh-SY-lin) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It may kill cancer cells by causing damage to the DNA.
BAY 12-9566An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called angiogenesis inhibitors.
BAY 43-9006A drug used to treat advanced kidney cancer and a type of liver cancer that cannot be removed by surgery.
BAY 56-3722A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called camptothecins.
BAY 59-8862A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called taxanes.
BB-10901A substance that combines a monoclonal antibody (huN901) with an anticancer drug (DM1), and is being studied in the treatment of certain cancers…
BBBDThe use of drugs to create openings between cells in the blood-brain barrier. The blood-brain barrier is a protective network of blood vessels and tissue…
BBICA substance being studied in the prevention of cancer. BBIC is made from soybeans, and is a type of serine proteinase inhibitor.
BBR 2778A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called antitumor antibiotics. Also called pixantrone.
BBR 3464A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of platinum-based drugs.
BCL2A protein that helps control whether a cell lives or dies by blocking a type of cell death called apoptosis.
BCR-ABL fusion gene(... FYOO-zhun JEEN) A gene formed when pieces of chromosomes 9 and 22 break off and trade places.
BCX-1777A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of leukemia and lymphoma. It is a type of purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) inhibitor.
BDCA rare type of kidney cancer that grows and spreads quickly. It begins in the duct of Bellini in the kidney. Also called Bellini duct carcinoma.
Beckwith-Wiedemann syndromeA rare, overgrowth disorder in which babies are large at birth and may develop low blood sugar.
beclin 1(BEH-klin â¦) A protein involved in autophagy (the process by which a cell destroys proteins and other substances in its cytoplasm).
beclomethasoneA drug being studied in the treatment of graft-versus-host disease. It belongs to a family of drugs called corticosteroids.
behavior modification(bee-HAY-vyer MAH-dih-fih-KAY-shun) A technique used to help people change the way they react to certain triggers in the environment that cause a negative…
belinostat(beh-LIN-oh-STAT) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. Belinostat blocks enzymes needed for cell division and may kill cancer cells.
Bellini duct carcinoma(beh-LEE-nee dukt KAR-sih-NOH-muh) A rare type of kidney cancer that grows and spreads quickly. It begins in the duct of Bellini in the kidney.
Bence Jones proteinA small protein made by plasma cells (white blood cells that produce antibodies).
bench-to-bedsideA term used to describe the process by which the results of research done in the laboratory are directly used to develop new ways to treat patients.
bendamustine(BEN-duh-MUS-teen) The active ingredient in a drug that is used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and is being studied in the treatment of other…
bendamustine hydrochloride(BEN-duh-MUS-teen HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A drug that is used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and is being studied in the treatment of other types…
benign(beh-NINE) Not cancerous. Benign tumors may grow larger but do not spread to other parts of the body.
Benign breast disease(beh-NINE brest dih-ZEEZ) A common condition marked by benign (noncancerous) changes in breast tissue.
benign proliferative breast disease(beh-NINE proh-LIH-fuh-ruh-tiv brest dih-ZEEZ) A group of noncancerous conditions that may increase the risk of developing breast cancer.
benign prostatic hyperplasia(beh-NINE prah-STA-tik HY-per-PLAY-zhuh) A benign (noncancerous) condition in which an overgrowth of prostate tissue pushes against the urethra and the…
benign prostatic hypertrophy(beh-NINE prah-STA-tik hy-PER-troh-fee) A benign (noncancerous) condition in which an overgrowth of prostate tissue pushes against the urethra and the…
benign tumor(beh-NINE TOO-mer) A noncancerous growth that does not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body.
benzaldehydeA colorless oily liquid used as a flavoring agent and to make dyes, perfumes, and pharmaceuticals. Benzaldehyde is chemically related to benzene.
benzeneA chemical that is used widely by the chemical industry, and is also found in tobacco smoke, vehicle emissions, and gasoline fumes.
benzoylphenylureaA substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of antitubulin agent. Also called BPU.