Erythrocyte(eh-RITH-roh-site) A cell that carries oxygen to all parts of the body. Also called RBC and red blood cell.
erythrocyte sedimentation rate(eh-RITH-roh-site SEH-dih-men-TAY-shun ...) The distance red blood cells travel in one hour in a sample of blood as they settle to the bottom of a test…
Erythrocytic stageA stage in the life cycle of the malaria parasite found in the red blood cells. Erythrocytic stage parasites cause the symptoms of malaria.
erythrodysplasia(eh-RITH-roh-dis-PLAY-zhuh) A condition in which immature red blood cells (erythroid cells) in the bone marrow are abnormal in size, shape, organization…
erythroid dysplasia(eh-RITH-royd dis-PLAY-zhuh) A condition in which immature red blood cells (erythroid cells) in the bone marrow are abnormal in size, shape, organization…
erythroleukemia(eh-RITH-roh-loo-KEE-mee-uh) Cancer of the blood-forming tissues in which large numbers of immature, abnormal red blood cells are found in the blood and…
erythroleukoplakia(eh-RITH-roh-LOO-koh-PLAY-kee-uh) An abnormal patch of red and white tissue that forms on mucous membranes in the mouth and may become cancerous.
erythroplakia(eh-RITH-roh-PLAY-kee-uh) An abnormal patch of red tissue that forms on mucous membranes in the mouth and may become cancerous.
erythropoietin(eh-RITH-roh-POY-eh-tin) A substance that is naturally produced by the kidneys, and that stimulates the bone marrow to make red blood cells.
escitalopram(es-sy-TAL-oh-pram) A drug used to treat depression and certain anxiety disorders.
esomeprazole(es-oh-MEH-pray-zole) A drug that blocks acid from being made in the stomach. It is used to treat acid reflux disease and to prevent certain types of…
esomeprazole magnesium(es-oh-MEH-pray-zole mag-NEE-zee-um) A drug that blocks acid from being made in the stomach.
esophageal(ee-SAH-fuh-JEE-ul) Having to do with the esophagus, the muscular tube through which food passes from the throat to the stomach.
esophageal cancer(ee-SAH-fuh-JEE-ul KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in tissues lining the esophagus (the muscular tube through which food passes from the throat to the stomach).
esophageal reflux(ee-SAH-fuh-JEE-ul REE-flux) The backward flow of stomach acid contents into the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach).
esophageal speech(ee-SAH-fuh-JEE-ul...) Speech produced by trapping air in the esophagus and forcing it out again.
esophageal stent(ee-SAH-fuh-JEE-ul stent) A tube placed in the esophagus to keep a blocked area open so the patient can swallow soft food and liquids.
esophagectomy(ee-SAH-fuh-JEK-toh-mee) An operation to remove a portion of the esophagus.
esophagitis(ee-sof-uh-JY-tis) Inflammation of the esophagus (the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach).
esophagoscopy(ee-SAH-fuh-GOS-koh-pee) Examination of the esophagus using an esophagoscope. An esophagoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for…
esophagram(ee-SAH-fuh-gram) A series of x-rays of the esophagus. The x-ray pictures are taken after the person drinks a solution that contains barium.
esophagus(ee-SAH-fuh-gus) The muscular tube through which food passes from the throat to the stomach.
ESRThe distance red blood cells travel in one hour in a sample of blood as they settle to the bottom of a test tube.
Essential BenefitsThe ACA requires all health insurance plans sold after 2014 to include a basic package of benefits including hospitalization, outpatient services…
Essential Health BenefitsA set of health care service categories that must be covered by certain plans, starting in 2014.
essential oil(eh-SENT-shul...) The scented liquid taken from certain plants using steam or pressure.
essential thrombocythemiaAn increased number of thrombocytes (platelets) in the blood, without a known cause. Also called essential thrombocytosis.
essential thrombocytosis(eh-SEN-shul THROM-boh-sy-TOH-sis) An increased number of thrombocytes (platelets) in the blood, without a known cause.
EssiacAn herbal tea mixture that contains burdock root, Indian rhubarb root, sheep sorrel, and slippery elm bark.
ester(ES-ter) A type of chemical substance that is a combination of acid and alcohol. Esters are found in essential oils (scented liquid taken from plants).
esterified estrogen(eh-STAYR-uh-fide ES-truh-jin) A form of estrogen that may have fewer side effects than other forms.
estradiol(es-truh-DY-ol) A form of the hormone estrogen.
estramustineA combination of the hormone estradiol (an estrogen) and nitrogen mustard (an anticancer drug). Used in the palliative therapy of prostate cancer.
EstrogenA type of hormone made by the body that helps develop and maintain female sex characteristics and the growth of long bones.
estrogen receptor(ES-truh-jin reh-SEP-ter) A protein found inside the cells of the female reproductive tissue, some other types of tissue, and some cancer cells.
estrogen receptor negative(ES-truh-jin reh-SEP-ter NEH-guh-tiv) Describes cells that do not have a protein to which the hormone estrogen will bind.
estrogen receptor positive(ES-truh-jin reh-SEP-ter PAH-zuh-tiv) Describes cells that have a protein to which the hormone estrogen will bind.
estrogen receptor test(ES-truh-jin reh-SEP-ter test) A lab test to find out if cancer cells have estrogen receptors (proteins to which estrogen will bind).
estrogen replacement therapy(ES-truh-jin rih-PLAYSS-munt THAYR-uh-pee) Hormones (estrogen, progesterone, or both) given to postmenopausal women or to women who have had their ovaries…
ET-743A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. It may damage the DNA in cancer cells. ET-743 is a type of topoisomerase-I inhibitor.
etanerceptA drug that is commonly used to treat arthritis. It is also being studied in the treatment of cancer, and as a treatment for loss of appetite and weight…
etanidazoleA drug that increases the effectiveness of radiation therapy.
ethical will(EH-thih-kul â¦) A final personal message or document in which a person shares his or her thoughts, values, memories, life lessons, advice, and…
ethmoid sinus(ETH-moyd SY-nus) A type of paranasal sinus (a hollow space in the bones around the nose).
ethynyluracilAn anticancer drug that increases the effectiveness of fluorouracil. Also called eniluracil.
etidronateA drug that belongs to the family of drugs called bisphosphonates. Bisphosphonates are used as treatment for hypercalcemia (abnormally high levels of…
Etiology(EE-tee-AH-loh-jee) The cause or origin of disease.
Etopophos(ee-toh-POH-fos) A drug used to treat testicular and small cell lung cancers. It is also being studied in the treatment of several other types of cancer.
etoposide(ee-toh-POH-side) A drug used to treat testicular and small cell lung cancers. It is also being studied in the treatment of several other types of cancer.
etoposide phosphate(ee-TOH-poh-side FOS-fate) A drug used to treat testicular and small cell lung cancers.
ETSSmoke that comes from the burning of a tobacco product and smoke that is exhaled by smokers. Inhaling ETS is called involuntary or passive smoking.
eucalyptus(YOO-kuh-LIP-tus) A type of evergreen tree that is a member of the myrtle family.
euphoria(yoo-FOR-ee-uh) A feeling of great happiness or well-being. Euphoria may be a side effect of certain drugs.
EUSA procedure in which an endoscope is inserted into the body. An endoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument that has a light and a lens for viewing.
EUS-FNAA procedure to take a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope. An endoscope with an ultrasound probe and a biopsy needle at the end is…
euthanasia(YOO-thuh-NAY-zhuh) An easy or painless death, or the intentional ending of the life of a person suffering from an incurable or painful disease at his or…
Evacet(EH-vuh-set) A form of the anticancer drug doxorubicin that is contained in very tiny, fat-like particles.
evaluable diseaseDisease that cannot be measured directly by the size of the tumor but can be evaluated by other methods specific to a particular clinical trial.
evaluable patientsPatients whose response to a treatment can be measured because enough information has been collected.
everolimusA substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the families of drugs called immunosuppressive agents and antiangiogenesis…
Evidence(EV-uh-dins): Information that is collected in an orderly way about a disease or its treatment. This information often comes from research.
Evidence-Based MedicineIn evidence-based medicine, treatment success is measured by a careful study of the outcome, using both the clinical expertise of the provider, as well as…
Evista(ee-VIS-tuh) A drug used to reduce the risk of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women who are at a high risk of developing the disease or who have…
Ewing family of tumors(YOO-ing ...) A group of cancers that includes Ewing tumor of bone (ETB or Ewing sarcoma of bone), extraosseous Ewing (EOE) tumors, primitive…
Ewing sarcoma(YOO-ing sar-KOH-muh) A type of cancer that forms in bone or soft tissue. Also called peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor and pPNET.
Ex vivo(ex VEE-voh) Outside of the living body. Refers to a medical procedure in which an organ, cells, or tissue are taken from a living body for a treatment or…
exatecan mesylateAn anticancer drug that is a type of topoisomerase inhibitor. Also called DX-8951f.
ExchangeAn exchange generally occurs when one company acquires another. The shareholders of the acquired company are often given the option to sell their shares…
excisional biopsy(ek-SIH-zhun-al BY-op-see) A surgical procedure in which an entire lump or suspicious area is removed for diagnosis.
excisional skin surgery(ek-SIH-zhun-al ⦠SER-juh-ree) A surgical procedure used to remove moles, cysts, skin cancer, and other skin growths using local anesthesia.
Excluded DrugsDrugs not covered by the insurance policy.
Excluded ServicesHealth care services that your health insurance or plan doesn’t pay for or cover.
ExclusionA contractual provision in an insurance policy that denies or restricts coverage for certain perils, persons, property or locations.
Exclusions and/or LimitationsConditions or circumstances spelled out in an insurance policy which limit or exclude coverage benefits.
Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) PlanA managed care plan where services are covered only if you go to doctors, specialists, or hospitals in the plan’s network (except in an emergency).
excrete(ek-SKREET) To get rid of waste material from the blood, tissues, or organs by a normal discharge (such as sweat, urine, or stool).
exemestane(EK-seh-MEH-stayn) A drug used to treat advanced breast cancer and to prevent recurrent breast cancer in postmenopausal women who have already been…
exenteration(ek-ZEN-ter-AY-shun) Surgery to remove organs within a body cavity.
exisulindA drug that is being studied in the treatment and prevention of cancer. It has been shown to cause apoptosis (cell death) in cancerous and precancerous…
Exjade(EX-jayd) A drug used to treat too much iron in the blood caused by blood transfusions.
exocrine cancer(EK-soh-krin KAN-ser) A disease in which malignant (cancer) cells are found in the tissues of the pancreas. Also called pancreatic cancer.
exocrine pancreas cellA pancreatic cell that produces enzymes that are secreted into the small intestine.
Exoerythrocytic stageA stage in the life cycle of the malaria parasite found in liver cells (hepatocytes). Exoerythrocytic stage parasites do not cause symptoms.
ExophagicAn exophagic mosquito is a mosquito that feeds outdoors.
ExophilicAn exophilic mosquito tends to inhabit/rest outdoors. Residual insecticides in buildings are less effective at controlling exophilic mosquitoes.
expanded access trialA way to provide an investigational therapy to a patient who is not eligible to receive that therapy in a clinical trial, but who has a serious or…
expectant management(ek-SPEK-tunt MA-nij-ment) Closely monitoring a patient's condition but withholding treatment until symptoms appear or change.
experimental(ek-SPER-ih-men-tul) In clinical trials, refers to a drug (including a new drug, dose, combination, or route of administration) or procedure that has…
experimental drug(ek-SPER-ih-men-tul ...) A substance that has been tested in a laboratory and has gotten approval from the U.S.
exploratory surgery(ek-SPLOR-uh-TOR-ee SER-juh-ree) Surgery to look inside the body to help make a diagnosis.
ExposedNot protected so body may allow germs to entry and cause disease, or body does not have the defense to protect itself from certain germs.
Exposure CategoryIn describing HIV/AIDS cases, same as transmission categories; how an individual may have been exposed to HIV, such as injecting drug use, male-to-male…
Extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)Beta-lactamases are enzymes that destroy certain antibiotics; ESBLs are bacteria that have acquired these enzymes and become resistant to those drugs.