Healthcare terms starting with G

228 terms

G-CSF A colony-stimulating factor that stimulates the production of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell).
G6PD deficiency An inherited abnormality that causes the loss of a red blood cell enzyme. People who are G6PD deficient should not take the antimalarial drug primaquine.
gabapentin A substance that is being studied as a treatment for relieving hot flashes in women with breast cancer.
GAD A condition marked by excessive worry and feelings of fear, dread, and uneasiness that last six months or longer.
gadolinium (GA-duh-LIH-nee-um) A metal element that is used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and other imaging methods.
gadolinium texaphyrin (GA-doh-LIH-nee-um tek-SA-fih-rin) A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer.
gadopentetate dimeglumine (GAD-oh-PEN-teh-tayt dy-MEG-loo-meen) A substance used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to help make clear pictures of the brain, spine, heart, soft…
Gail model A computer program that uses personal and family history to estimate a woman's chance of developing breast cancer.
galiximab (gal-IX-ih-mab) A monoclonal antibody that is being studied in the treatment of follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
gallbladder (GAWL-bla-der) The pear-shaped organ found below the liver. Bile is concentrated and stored in the gallbladder.
gallbladder cancer (GAWL-bla-der KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in tissues of the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ below the liver that collects and stores…
gallium nitrate A drug that lowers blood calcium. Used as treatment for hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood) and for cancer that has spread to the bone (bone…
gallium scan A procedure to detect areas of the body where cells are dividing rapidly. It is used to locate cancer cells or areas of inflammation.
gallstone Solid material that forms in the gallbladder or common bile duct. Gallstones are made of cholesterol or other substances found in the gallbladder.
galvanic skin response (gal-VA-nik ... reh-SPONTS) A change in the heat and electricity passed through the skin by nerves and sweat.
Gametocyte The sexual stage of malaria parasites. Male gametocytes (microgametocytes) and female gametocytes (macrogametocytes) are inside red blood cells in the…
gamma irradiation A type of radiation therapy that uses gamma radiation. Gamma radiation is a type of high-energy radiation that is different from x-rays.
Gamma Knife therapy A treatment using gamma rays, a type of high-energy radiation that can be tightly focused on small tumors or other lesions in the head or neck, so very…
Gamma Ray A type of high-energy radiation that is different from an x-ray.
ganciclovir An antiviral agent used to prevent or treat cytomegalovirus infections that may occur when the body's immune system is suppressed.
ganglioside A complex molecule that contains both lipids (fats) and carbohydrates (sugars) and is found in the plasma (outer) membrane of many kinds of cells.
Gangrene A form of a wet or dry infection, frequently seen in diabetes causing decay and dying of tissue in a localized part of the body or involve an organ or a…
garden heliotrope A plant whose roots are used as a sedative and to treat certain medical conditions.
garden valerian A plant whose roots are used as a sedative and to treat certain medical conditions.
garlic (GAR-lik) A European plant that has a bulb used to flavor food. It has also been used in some cultures to treat certain medical conditions including high…
gastrectomy (ga-STREK-toh-mee) An operation to remove all or part of the stomach.
gastric (GAS-trik) Having to do with the stomach.
gastric atrophy (GAS-trik AT-ro-fee) A condition in which the stomach muscles shrink and become weak.
gastric cancer (GAS-trik KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in tissues lining the stomach. Also called stomach cancer .
gastric mucosal hypertrophy (GAS-trik myoo-KOH-sul hy-PER-troh-fee) A condition marked by inflammation and ulcers (breaks on the skin or on the surface of an organ) of the mucosa…
gastric reflux The backward flow of stomach acid contents into the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach).
gastrin (GAS-trin) A group of hormones released after eating that control the amount of acid in the stomach.
gastrinoma (gas-trih-NOH-muh) A tumor that causes overproduction of gastric acid. It usually begins in the duodenum (first part of the small intestine that connects…
gastritis Inflammation of the lining of the stomach.
Gastroenterologist (GAS-troh-EN-teh-RAH-loh-jist) A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the digestive system.
gastroesophageal junction The place where the esophagus is connected to the stomach.
gastroesophageal reflux (GAS-tro-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).
gastrointestinal (GAS-troh-in-TES-tih-nul) Refers to the stomach and intestines. Also called GI.
gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor (GAS-troh-in-TES-tih-nul KAR-sih-noyd TOO-mer) An indolent (slow-growing) cancer that forms in cells that make hormones in the lining of the…
gastrointestinal stromal tumor A type of tumor that usually begins in cells in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract. It can be benign or malignant. Also called GIST.
Gastrointestinal tract (GAS-troh-in-TES-tih-nul trakt) The stomach and intestines. The gastrointestinal tract is part of the digestive system, which also includes the salivary…
gastroscope (GASS-troh-SKOPE) A thin, tube-like instrument used to examine the inside of the stomach.
gastroscopy (gas-TROS-koh-pee) Examination of the inside of the stomach using a gastroscope passed through the mouth and esophagus.
gastrostomy tube (gas-TROS-toh-mee ...) A tube inserted through the wall of the abdomen directly into the stomach.
GBM A fast-growing type of central nervous system tumor that forms from glial (supportive) tissue of the brain and spinal cord and has cells that look very…
GC1008 A monoclonal antibody being studied in the treatment of kidney cancer, melanoma, and pulmonary fibrosis.
Gd-DTPA A substance used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to help make clear pictures of the brain, spine, heart, soft tissue of joints, and inside bones.
GDC-0449 A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It blocks a type of protein involved in tissue growth and repair and may block the growth of cancer…
gefitinib (geh-FIH-ty-nib) A drug that is used to treat certain types of non-small cell lung cancer and is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.
Gelclair (JEL-klayr) A gel used to lessen pain from mouth sores caused by chemotherapy or radiation therapy, oral surgery, braces, or disease.
geldanamycin analog An antineoplastic antibiotic drug that belongs to the family of drugs called ansamycins.
GEM 231 A drug that may inhibit the growth of malignant tumors.
GEM640 A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. GEM640 may block a protein called XIAP so that chemotherapy is able to kill more tumor…
gemcitabine (jem-SITE-ah-been) A drug that is used to treat certain types of breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, and lung cancer and is being studied in…
gemcitabine hydrochloride (jem-SITE-ah-been HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A drug that is used to treat certain types of breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, and lung cancer and is…
gemtuzumab (gem-TOO-zeh-mab) A monoclonal antibody combined with a toxic substance that is used to treat certain types of acute myeloid leukemia in older patients…
gemtuzumab ozogamicin (gem-TOO-zeh-mab oh-zoh-GAM-ih-sin) A monoclonal antibody combined with a toxic substance that is used to treat certain types of acute myeloid leukemia in…
Gemzar (JEM-zar) A drug that is used to treat certain types of breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, and lung cancer and is being studied in the…
Genasense (JEN-uh-sents) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It may kill cancer cells by blocking the production of a protein that makes cancer…
Gene The functional and physical unit of heredity passed from parent to offspring. Genes are pieces of DNA, and most genes contain the information for making a…
gene deletion The total loss or absence of a gene.
gene expression (JEEN ek-SPREH-shun) The process by which a gene gets turned on in a cell to make RNA and proteins.
gene expression profiling A research method that measures messenger RNA made from many different genes in various cell types.
gene therapy (jeen THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment that alters a gene. In studies of gene therapy for cancer, researchers are trying to improve the body's natural ability to…
gene transfer The insertion of genetic material into a cell.
gene-modified Cells that have been altered to contain different genetic material than they originally contained.
general anesthesia (... A-nes-THEE-zhuh) Drugs that cause loss of feeling or awareness and put the person to sleep.
generalized anxiety disorder (JEN-er-uh-lized ang-ZY-eh-tee dis-OR-der) A condition marked by excessive worry and feelings of fear, dread, and uneasiness that last six months or…
generic Official nonbrand names by which medicines are known. Generic names usually refer to the chemical name of the drug.
Generic Drug A drug that is similar to a name-brand drug but not covered by original patents and therefore cheaper.
Generic Drugs Generic drugs are safe, effective, and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Genetic (jeh-NEH-tik) Inherited; having to do with information that is passed from parents to offspring through genes in sperm and egg cells.
genetic analysis The study of a sample of DNA to look for mutations (changes) that may increase risk of disease or affect the way a person responds to treatment.
genetic counseling (jeh-NEH-tik KOWN-suh-ling) A communication process between a specially trained health professional and a person concerned about the genetic risk of…
Genetic diversity The variety of different types of genes in a species or population.
genetic marker Alteration in DNA that may indicate an increased risk of developing a specific disease or disorder.
genetic marker of susceptibility (jeh-NEH-tikÃ¢ÂÂ¦ suh-SEP-tih-BIH-lih-tee) A specific change in a person's DNA that makes the person more likely to develop certain diseases such…
Genetic predisposition An inherited increase in the risk of developing a disease. Also called genetic susceptibility.
genetic profile (jeh-NEH-tik PROH-file) Information about specific genes, including variations and gene expression, in an individual or in a certain type of tissue.
genetic susceptibility An inherited increase in the risk of developing a disease. Also called genetic predisposition .
Genetic testing Analyzing DNA to look for a genetic alteration that may indicate an increased risk for developing a specific disease or disorder.
Genetics (jeh-NEH-tix) The study of genes and heredity. Heredity is the passing of genetic information and traits (such as eye color and an increased chance of…
genistein An isoflavone found in soy products. Soy isoflavones are being studied to see if they help prevent cancer.
genital (JEH-nih-tul) Refers to the genitalia (external and internal sex organs and glands).
genital wart A raised growth on the surface of the genitals caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.
genitourinary system (je-nuh-toh-YUR-uh-ner-ee SIS-tem) The parts of the body that play a role in reproduction, getting rid of waste products in the form of urine, or both.
Genome The complete genetic material of an organism.
genomic profile (jeh-NOH-mik PROH-file) Information about all the genes in an organism, including variations, gene expression, and the way those genes interact with each…
Genomics (jeh-NOH-miks) The study of the complete genetic material, including genes and their functions, of an organism.
Georeferenced Statistics Statistics reported by geographic location of the events (e.g., residence of the cancer case)
Georgia Healthcare-Acquired Infections Advisory Committee (GHAIAC) The Georgia advisory committee charged with making recommendations to the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) on the prevention of healthcare…
geranium (juh-RAY-nee-um) A type of plant that is native to southern Africa and has white, pink, purple, or red flowers and 3- to 5-lobed leaves.
germ cell (jurm sel) A reproductive cell of the body. Germ cells are egg cells in females and sperm cells in males.
germ cell tumor (jurm sel TOO-mer) A type of tumor that begins in the cells that give rise to sperm or eggs.
germ-free (jurm-free) Free of bacteria, viruses, and other organisms that can cause infection and disease.
German chamomile (JER-mun KA-moh-MY-ul) A plant whose daisy-like flowers are used in tea to calm and relax, improve sleep, and help stomach problems.
German Commission E The German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices Commission E. A committee made up of scientists, toxicologists, doctors, and pharmacists formed…
germinoma (jer-mih-NO-ma) The most common type of germ cell tumor in the brain.
germline DNA The DNA in germ cells (egg and sperm cells that join to form an embryo). Germline DNA is the source of DNA for all other cells in the body.
germline mutation (...myoo-TAY-shun) A gene change in a body's reproductive cell (egg or sperm) that becomes incorporated into the DNA of every cell in the body of the…