encephalopathyA disorder of the brain that can be caused by disease, injury, drugs, or chemicals.
enchondroma(en-kon-DRO-ma) A benign (noncancerous) growth of cartilage in bones or in other areas where cartilage is not normally found.
EndemicWhere disease occurs on a consistent basis.
endocarditis(EN-doh-kar-DY-tis) A condition in which the tissues lining the inside of the heart and the heart valves become inflamed (red and swollen).
endocervical curettage(en-do-SER-vih-kul kyoo-reh-TAHZH) A procedure in which the mucous membrane of the cervical canal is scraped using a spoon-shaped instrument called a…
endocrine(EN-doh-krin) Refers to tissue that makes and releases hormones that travel in the bloodstream and control the actions of other cells or organs.
endocrine cancer(EN-doh-krin KAN-ser) Cancer that occurs in endocrine tissue, the tissue in the body that secretes hormones.
endocrine pancreas cellA pancreatic cell that produces hormones (e.g., insulin and glucagon) that are secreted into the bloodstream.
endocrine system(EN-doh-krin SIS-tem) A system of glands and cells that make hormones that are released directly into the blood and travel to tissues and organs all over…
endocrine therapy(EN-doh-krin THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment that adds, blocks, or removes hormones. For certain conditions (such as diabetes or menopause), hormones are given to…
Endocrinologist(en-duh-krih-NAH-loh-jist) A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating hormone disorders.
endogenousProduced inside an organism or cell. The opposite is external (exogenous) production.
Endometrial(EN-doh-MEE-tree-ul) Having to do with the endometrium (the layer of tissue that lines the uterus).
endometrial biopsyA procedure in which a sample of tissue is taken from the endometrium (inner lining of the uterus) for examination under a microscope.
endometrial cancer(EN-doh-MEE-tree-ul KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in the tissue lining the uterus (the small, hollow, pear-shaped organ in a woman's pelvis in which a baby…
endometrial disorder(EN-doh-MEE-tree-ul dis-OR-der) Abnormal cell growth in the endometrium (the lining of the uterus).
endometrial hyperplasia(EN-doh-MEE-tree-ul HY-per-PLAY-zhuh) An abnormal overgrowth of the endometrium (the layer of cells that lines the uterus).
endometriosis(en-do-mee-tree-O-sis) A benign condition in which tissue that looks like endometrial tissue grows in abnormal places in the abdomen.
Endometrium(en-do-MEE-tree-um) The layer of tissue that lines the uterus.
EndophagicAn endophagic mosquito is a mosquito that feeds indoors.
EndophilicAn endophilic mosquito is a mosquito that tends to inhabit/rest indoors. Endophilism facilitates the blocking of malaria transmission through application…
endorectal ultrasound(en-doh-REK-tul UL-truh-SOWND) A procedure in which a probe that sends out high-energy sound waves is inserted into the rectum.
endorphin(en-DOR-fin) A morphine-like chemical that is made naturally in the brain and relieves pain.
endoscope(EN-doh-SKOPE) A thin, tube-like instrument used to look at tissues inside the body.
endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(en-doh-SKAH-pik REH-troh-grayd koh-LAN-jee-oh-PAN-kree-uh-TAH-gruh-fee) A procedure that uses an endoscope to examine and x-ray the pancreatic duct…
endoscopic ultrasound(en-doh-SKAH-pik...) A procedure in which an endoscope is inserted into the body.
endoscopy(en-DOSS-koh-pee) A procedure that uses an endoscope to examine the inside of the body.
endosonography(EN-doh-soh-NAH-gruh-fee) A procedure in which an endoscope is inserted into the body.
endostatin(EN-doh-STA-tin) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. Endostatin is made from a type of collagen (a protein found in cartilage and other…
endothelial cellThe main type of cell found in the inside lining of blood vessels, lymph vessels, and the heart.
endothelin receptor antagonist(EN-doh-THEE-lin reh-SEP-ter an-TAG-uh-nist) A drug that blocks the hormone endothelin and may prevent prostate cancer from spreading to the bones.
endothelin-1 protein receptor antagonist(EN-doh-THEE-lin ... PROH-teen reh-SEP-ter an-TAG-uh-nist) A substance that blocks the binding of the endothelin-1 protein to its receptor.
endpointIn clinical trials, an event or outcome that can be measured objectively to determine whether the intervention being studied is beneficial.
enemaThe injection of a liquid through the anus into the large bowel.
energy balance(EH-nur-jee BA-lunts) In biology, the state at which the number of calories eaten equals the number of calories used.
English chamomile(... KA-muh-mile) A type of chamomile plant with daisy-like white flowers that is found in Europe, North America, and Argentina.
English lavender(...LA-vun-der) A plant with aromatic leaves and flowers that is a member of the mint family.
eniluracilAn anticancer drug that increases the effectiveness of fluorouracil. Also called ethynyluracil.
enoxaparinA drug used to prevent blood clots. It belongs to the family of drugs called anticoagulants.
ENT doctorA doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the ear, nose, and throat. Also called otolaryngologist.
enteral nutritionA form of nutrition that is delivered into the digestive system as a liquid. Drinking nutrition beverages or formulas and tubefeeding are forms of enteral…
enterostomal therapist(EN-ter-oh-STOH-mul...) A health professional trained in the care of persons with stomas, such as colostomies or urostomies.
enucleationIn medicine, the removal of an organ or tumor in such a way that it comes out clean and whole, like a nut from its shell.
enveloped virus(....VY-rus) A virus that has an outer wrapping or envelope. This envelope comes from the infected cell, or host, in a process called "budding off.
environmental tobacco smoke(en-VY-run-MEN-tul tuh-BA-koh ...) Smoke that comes from the burning of a tobacco product and smoke that is exhaled by smokers.
enzastaurin(en-zuh-STAW-rin) A substance being studied in the treatment of certain types of cancer, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, breast, colon, lung, ovarian, and…
enzastaurin hydrochloride(en-zuh-STAW-rin HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A substance being studied in the treatment of certain types of cancer, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, breast, colon…
enzymeA protein that speeds up chemical reactions in the body.
eosinophiliaA condition in which the number of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) in the blood is greatly increased.
EP-2101A substance that is being studied as a treatment for cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called cancer vaccines.
ependyma(eh-PEN-dih-muh) A thin membrane that lines the fluid-filled spaces in the brain and spinal cord.
ependymal cell(eh-PEN-dih-mul SEL) A cell that forms the lining of the fluid-filled spaces in the brain and spinal cord. It is a type of glial cell.
ependymal tumor(eh-PEN-dih-mul TOO-mer) A type of brain tumor that begins in cells lining the spinal cord central canal (fluid-filled space down the center) or the…
ependymoma(eh-PEN-dih-MOH-muh) A type of brain tumor that begins in cells lining the spinal cord central canal (fluid-filled space down the center) or the…
ephedra(eh-FEH-druh) A shrub native to China and India. The stems and roots are used in traditional medicine as a diuretic and for asthma, bronchitis, and cough.
EpidemicA disease that occurs clearly in excess of normal expectation and spreads rapidly through a demographic segment of the human population.
Epidemiologic ProfileA description of the current status, distribution, and impact of an infectious disease or other health-related condition in a specified geographic area.
epidemiologist(EH-pih-DEE-mee-AH-loh-jist) A scientist who studies the patterns, causes, and control of disease in groups of people.
Epidemiology(EH-pih-dee-mee-AH-loh-jee) The study of the patterns, causes, and control of disease in groups of people.
epidermal growth factor receptor(eh-pih-DER-mul grohth FAK-ter reh-SEP-ter) The protein found on the surface of some cells and to which epidermal growth factor binds, causing the cells…
epidermis(ep-i-DER-mis) The upper or outer layer of the two main layers of tissue that make up the skin.
epidermoid carcinoma(EH-pih-DUR-moyd KAR-sih-NOH-muh) Cancer that begins in squamous cells (thin, flat cells that look like fish scales).
epidermolysis bullosa(EP-ih-der-MOLE-uh-sis bul-OH-suh) A group of chronic skin disorders in which fluid-filled blisters form on the skin and mucosa (the moist, inner lining…
epididymis(eh-pih-DIH-dih-mis) A narrow, tightly-coiled tube that is attached to each of the testicles (the male sex glands that produce sperm).
epiduralHaving to do with the space between the wall of the spinal canal and the covering of the spinal cord. An epidural injection is given into this space.
epidural blockAn injection of an anesthetic drug into the space between the wall of the spinal canal and the covering of the spinal cord.
epigastricHaving to do with the upper middle area of the abdomen.
epiglottis(ep-ih-GLAH-tis) The flap that covers the trachea during swallowing so that food does not enter the lungs.
epilepsyA group of disorders marked by problems in the normal functioning of the brain.
epinephrineA hormone and neurotransmitter. Also called adrenaline.
epipodophyllotoxin(EH-pih-POH-doh-FIH-loh-TOK-sin) A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
epirubicin(EP-ih-ROO-bih-sin) A drug used together with other drugs to treat early breast cancer that has spread to lymph nodes.
epirubicin hydrochloride(EP-ih-ROO-bih-sin HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A drug used together with other drugs to treat early breast cancer that has spread to lymph nodes.
epithelial(ep-ih-THEE-lee-ul) Refers to the cells that line the internal and external surfaces of the body.
epithelial carcinoma(ep-ih-THEE-lee-ul KAR-sih-NOH-muh) Cancer that begins in the cells that line an organ.
epithelial ovarian cancer(eh-pih-THEE-lee-ul oh-VAYR-ee-un KAN-ser) Cancer that occurs in the cells on the surface of the ovary. Also called ovarian epithelial cancer.
Epithelium(EP-ih-THEE-lee-um) A thin layer of tissue that covers organs, glands, and other structures within the body.
epitope(EP-i-tope) A part of a molecule that an antibody will recognize and bind to.
EPO906A substance that is being studied as a treatment for cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called epothilones. Also called epothilone B.
epoetin alfa(ee-POH-eh-tin AL-fuh) A substance that is made in the laboratory and stimulates the bone marrow to make red blood cells.
epoetin beta(ee-POH-eh-tin BAY-tuh) A substance that is made in the laboratory and stimulates the bone marrow to make red blood cells.
epothilone(eh-POTH-ih-lone) A substance obtained from bacteria that interferes with cell division. Some epothilones are being studied as treatments for cancer.
epothilone B(eh-POTH-ih-lone ...) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of epothilone. Also called EPO906.
epothilone D(eh-POTH-ih-lone ...) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of mitotic inhibitor and epothilone. Also called KOS-862.
epothilone ZK219477(eh-POTH-ih-lone ...) A form of the substance epothilone that is made in the laboratory. It is being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
epratuzumabA substance that is being studied as a treatment for cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies.
Epstein-Barr virus(ep-stine-BAR VY-rus) A common virus that remains dormant in most people. It causes infectious mononucleosis and has been associated with certain cancers…
EPTTreatment that generates electrical pulses through an electrode placed in a tumor to enhance the ability of anticancer drugs to enter tumor cells.
ERDescribes cells that do not have a protein to which the hormone estrogen will bind.
ERA-923A substance that is being studied as a treatment for cancer. It belongs to a family of drugs called antiestrogens.
EradicationIn the context of malaria, reducing the number of malaria parasites that circulate in the natural world to zero.
erb-38 immunotoxin(... IH-myoo-noh-TOK-sin) A toxic substance linked to an antibody that attaches to tumor cells and kills them.
ErbB1The protein found on the surface of some cells and to which epidermal growth factor binds, causing the cells to divide.
Erbitux(ER-bih-tux) A monoclonal antibody used to treat certain types of head and neck cancer, and colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
ERCPA procedure that uses an endoscope to examine and x-ray the pancreatic duct, hepatic duct, common bile duct, duodenal papilla, and gallbladder.
erectile dysfunctionAn inability to have an erection of the penis adequate for sexual intercourse. Also called impotence.
erection(ih-REK-shun) In medicine, the swelling of the penis with blood, causing it to become firm.