In vitro(in VEE-troh) In the laboratory (outside the body). The opposite of in vivo (in the body).
In vitro fertilization(in VEE-troh FER-tih-lih-ZAY-shun) A procedure in which eggs are removed from a woman's ovary and combined with sperm outside the body to form embryos.
In vivoIn the body. The opposite of in vitro (outside the body or in the laboratory).
In-Network Co-InsuranceThe percent (for example, 20%) you pay of the allowed amount for covered health care services to providers who contract with your health insurance or plan.
In-Network Co-PaymentA fixed amount (for example, $15) you pay for covered health care services to providers who contract with your health insurance or plan.
In-network CoinsuranceThe percent (for example, 20%) you pay of the allowed amount for covered health care services to providers who contract with your health insurance or plan.
In-network CopaymentA fixed amount (for example, $15) you pay for covered health care services to providers who contract with your health insurance or plan.
In-Network providerA health care provider (such as a hospital or doctor) that is contracted to be part of the network for a managed care organization (such as an HMO or PPO).
inalimarev(IN-uh-LIM-uh-rev) A cancer vaccine made with a form of vaccinia virus that does not cause disease in humans.
IncidenceThe number of new cases of a disease diagnosed each year.
Incidence RateThe ratio of the number of new cancers of a specific site/type occurring in a specified population during a year to the number of individuals who were at…
Incidence, Delay-AdjustedA term related to incidence. An algorithm is used to estimate the incidence if it were unaffected by reporting delays.
Incision(in-SIH-zhun) A cut made in the body to perform surgery.
incisional biopsy(in-SIH-zhun-al BY-op-see) A surgical procedure in which a portion of a lump or suspicious area is removed for diagnosis.
Income LevelIf your 2013 income is below $45,950 for an individual or $94,200 for a family of four, your out-of-pocket payment for health services may be lower.
incomplete Freund's adjuvant(in-kum-PLEET froyndz A-juh-vunt) A drug used in vaccine therapy to stimulate the immune system.
incontinence(in-KAHN-tih-nens) Inability to control the flow of urine from the bladder (urinary incontinence) or the escape of stool from the rectum (fecal…
incubatedGrown in the laboratory under controlled conditions. For example, white blood cells can be grown in special conditions so that they attack specific cancer…
Incubation periodThe interval of time between infection by a microorganism and the onset of the illness or the first symptoms of the illness.
Independent Medical Review (IMR)A process where expert medical professionals, who have no relationship to your health insurance company or health plan, review specific medical decisions…
Indian cress(IN-dee-un kres) Parts of the flowering plant have been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems. It may have anticancer effects.
Indian elmThe inner bark of this plant has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems. It may have antioxidant effects.
Indian rhubarb(IN-dee-un ROO-barb) The root of this plant has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems.
Indian saffron(IN-dee-un SA-fron) An East Indian plant that is a member of the ginger family and is used as a spice and food color.
Indian valerianA plant whose roots are used as a sedative and to treat certain medical conditions.
IndicationIn medicine, a sign, symptom, or medical condition that leads to the recommendation of a treatment, test, or procedure.
Indigenous malariaMosquito-borne transmission of malaria in a geographic area where malaria occurs regularly.
indinavirA drug that interferes with the ability of a virus to make copies of itself.
indirect ophthalmoscopy(⦠OP-thal-MOS-koh-pee) An exam of the inside of the back of the eye using a beam of light and a hand-held lens.
Indirect transmissionIndirect transmission may happen in any of several ways: vehicle-borne transmission and vector-borne transmission.
indium In 111 CHX-A DTPA trastuzumab(IN-dee-um ⦠tras-TOO-zuh-mab) A substance being studied in the imaging of breast cancer and some other types of cancer.
indium In 111 ibritumomab tiuxetan(IN-dee-um ⦠ih-brih-TOO-moh-mab ty-oo-EKS-eh-tan) A radiolabeled monoclonal antibody that is used to detect certain types of B-cell…
Individual Health Insurance PolicyPolicies for people that aren't connected to job-based coverage. Individual health insurance policies are regulated under state law.
Individual Health PlanA form of health insurance designed to cover just one person (and often immediate family members), as opposed to someone covered by a group plan (see…
Individual mandateA requirement that everyone maintain health insurance coverage. The ACA requires that everyone who can purchase health insurance for less than 8 percent…
indole-3-carbinolA substance that is being studied as a cancer prevention drug. It is found in cruciferous vegetables.
indolent(IN-doe-lint) A type of cancer that grows slowly.
indolent lymphoma(IN-doh-lent lim-FOH-muh) A type of lymphoma that tends to grow and spread slowly, and has few symptoms. Also called low-grade lymphoma.
Indomethacin(IN-doh-MEH-thuh-sin) A drug that reduces pain, fever, swelling, and redness. It is also being used to reduce tumor-induced suppression of the immune…
Indoor residual spraying (IRS)Treatment of houses where people spend night-time hours, by spraying insecticides that have residual efficacy (i.e.
Induced malariaMalaria acquired through artificial means (e.g. blood transfusion, shared needles or syringes, or malariotherapy).
induction therapy(in-DUK-shun THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment designed to be used as a first step toward shrinking the cancer and in evaluating response to drugs and other agents.
InfectionInvasion and multiplication of germs in the body. Infections can occur in any part of the body and can spread throughout the body.
Infection controlThe ways healthcare providers use to prevent infections with the uses of gown, gloves, masks, special cleaning products and not allowing certain people…
Infection RateAn infection rate is the number of infections reported in a specified period of time divided by the number of exposures to an infection during the same…
inferior vena cavaA large vein that empties into the heart. It carries blood from the legs and feet and from organs in the abdomen and pelvis.
infertility(IN-fer-TIH-lih-tee) The inability to produce children.
infiltrating breast cancerCancer that has spread from where it started in the breast into surrounding, healthy tissue.
infiltrating cancerCancer that has spread beyond the layer of tissue in which it developed and is growing into surrounding, healthy tissues. Also called invasive cancer.
infiltrating ductal carcinomaThe most common type of invasive breast cancer. It starts in the cells that line the milk ducts in the breast, grows outside the ducts, and often spreads…
inflammation(IN-fluh-MAY-shun) Redness, swelling, pain, and/or a feeling of heat in an area of the body.
InflammatoryHaving to do with inflammation (redness, swelling, pain, and a feeling of heat that helps protect tissues affected by injury or disease).
inflammatory bowel disease(in-FLA-muh-TOR-ee BOW-ul dih-ZEEZ) A general term that refers to the inflammation of the colon and rectum.
inflammatory breast cancerA type of breast cancer in which the breast looks red and swollen and feels warm.
infliximabA monoclonal antibody that blocks the action of a cytokine called tumor necrosis factor alfa.
Influenza VaccinationPneumonia patients age 50 years and older, hospitalized during October, November, December, January, February or March who were screened for influenza…
Informed consentA process in which a person is given important facts about a medical procedure or treatment, a clinical trial, or genetic testing before deciding whether…
infrared coagulationA technique in which abnormal tissue is exposed to a burst of infrared light (a type of radiation).
infrared thermography(IN-fruh-RED ther-MAH-gruh-fee) In medicine, a procedure in which an infrared camera (one that senses heat) is used to measure temperature differences on…
infusion(in-FYOO-zhun) A method of putting fluids, including drugs, into the bloodstream. Also called intravenous infusion.
inguinal orchiectomy(IN-gwih-nul OR-kee-EK-toh-mee) An operation in which the testicle is removed through an incision in the groin.
inhalationIn medicine, refers to the act of taking a substance into the body by breathing.
inhaler(in-HAY-ler) A device for giving medicines in the form of a spray that is inhaled (breathed in) through the nose or mouth.
inherited(in-HAYR-it-ed) Transmitted through genes that have been passed from parents to their offspring (children).
inherited bone marrow failure syndrome(in-HAYR-it-ed bone MAYR-oh FAYL-yer SIN-drome) A rare disorder in which a person's bone marrow is unable to make enough blood cells and there is a family…
injectTo force a liquid into the body with a needle and syringe.
injectionUse of a syringe and needle to push fluids or drugs into the body; often called a "shot."
Innohep(IN-oh-HEP) A drug that is used with another drug, warfarin, to treat blood clots that form deep in the veins and to prevent new blood clots from forming.
inoperableDescribes a condition that cannot be treated by surgery.
inositol(ih-NAH-sih-TOL) A type of sugar that has a different chemical structure than glucose (the chief source of energy for living organisms).
inositol hexaphosphate(ih-NAH-sih-TOL HEK-suh-FOS-fayt) A substance found in many foods that come from plants, including corn, wheat, rice, and soybeans, and in large amounts…
Inpatient CareHealth care that you get when you're admitted as an inpatient to a health care facility, like a hospital or skilled nursing facility.
INS316A substance being studied in the diagnosis of lung diseases, including lung cancer.
insomniaDifficulty in going to sleep or getting enough sleep.
instillationIn medicine, a method used to put a liquid into the body slowly or drop by drop.
Institutional Review BoardA group of scientists, doctors, clergy, and consumers that reviews and approves the action plan for every clinical trial.
insulin(IN-su-lin) A hormone made by the islet cells of the pancreas. Insulin controls the amount of sugar in the blood by moving it into the cells, where it can…
Insulin Delivery(Insulin Injections) The method a person with diabetes learns to use for injecting exogenous insulin into the body's bloodstream.
Insulin Reactions(Diabetic Shock or Hypoglycemic Reaction) Severe hypoglycemia produced by administration of insulin, manifested by sweating, tremor, anxiety, vertigo, and…
Insulin ResistanceA condition in which the body does not respond to insulin properly. This is most common in Type II diabetes or associated with obesity, ketoacidosis…
Insulin TherapySee Insulin Delivery. The two types of insulin therapy (1) conventional or (2) intensive starts when the body stops making insulin or makes only a tiny…
Insurance Co-OpA non-profit entity in which the same people who own the company are insured by the company.
Insurance CompanyAn insurance company must be licensed by the Department of Insurance to sell health insurance. The insurer issues policies which outline coverage.
intensification therapy(in-TEN-sih-fih-KAY-shun THAYR-uh-pee) A type of high-dose chemotherapy often given as the second phase (after induction therapy) of a cancer treatment…
intensity-modulated radiation therapy(in-TEN-sih-tee-MAH-juh-LAY-tid RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee) A type of 3-dimensional radiation therapy that uses computer-generated images to show the…
intercalatorIn biochemistry, a type of molecule that binds to DNA and inserts itself into the DNA structure. Some intercalators are used as treatments for cancer.
InterestThe term interest is used to describe the cost of using money, a right, share, or title in property.
interfering thought(IN-ter-FEER-ing thawt) An unpleasant memory or idea that occurs often in a person's everyday thoughts and keeps him or her from thinking about other…