Healthcare terms starting with K

51 terms

Kahler disease A type of cancer that begins in plasma cells (white blood cells that produce antibodies).
Kaposi sarcoma (kuh-POH-zee sar-KOH-muh) A type of cancer characterized by the abnormal growth of blood vessels that develop into skin lesions or occur internally.
Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (kuh-POH-zee sar-KOH-muh-uh-SOH-see-ay-ted HER-peez-VY-rus) A type of herpesvirus that may cause Kaposi sarcoma (a rare cancer that can cause skin…
karenitecin A drug being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of topoisomerase inhibitor. It is related to the anticancer drug camptothecin.
Karnofsky Performance Status A standard way of measuring the ability of cancer patients to perform ordinary tasks. The Karnofsky Performance scores range from 0 to 100.
kava kava (KAH-vuh KAH-vuh) An herb native to islands in the South Pacific. Substances taken from the root have been used in some cultures to relieve stress…
keloid (KEY-loyd) A thick, irregular scar caused by excessive tissue growth at the site of an incision or wound.
kelp A type of seaweed. The stem-like parts of this plant have been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems.
Kemstro (KEM-stroh) A drug that is used to treat certain types of muscle spasms and is being studied in the treatment of liver cancer.
Kepivance (KEH-puh-vants) A form of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) that is made in the laboratory.
Keppra (KEH-pruh) A drug used to treat seizures (involuntary muscle movements) caused by epilepsy (a group of brain disorders).
keratan sulfate A glycosaminoglycan (a type of polysaccharide) found in cartilage and in the cornea of the eye.
keratinocyte growth factor (keh-RA-tih-noh-site grohth FAK-ter) A natural substance that stimulates the growth of epithelial cells in the skin and in the lining of the mouth…
keratoacanthoma (KAYR-uh-toh-AK-un-THOH-muh) A rapidly growing, dome-shaped skin tumor that usually occurs on sun-exposed areas of the body, especially around the head…
Ketalar (KEH-tuh-lar) A drug used to cause a loss of feeling and awareness and to induce sleep in patients having surgery.
ketamine (KEH-tuh-meen) A drug used to cause a loss of feeling and awareness and to induce sleep in patients having surgery.
ketamine hydrochloride (KEH-tuh-meen HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A drug used to cause a loss of feeling and awareness and to induce sleep in patients having surgery.
ketoconazole (kee-ta-KOE-na-zol) A drug that treats infection caused by a fungus. It is also used as a treatment for prostate cancer because it can block the…
ketone (KEE-tone) A type of chemical substance used in perfumes, paints, solvents, and found in essential oils (scented liquid taken from plants).
Ketonemia The presence of recognizable concentrations of ketone bodies in the plasma.
Ketones Acids produced when the body breaks down fat or fuel. This occurs when there is not enough insulin to permit glucose to enter the cells and fuel them or…
ketorolac A drug that belongs to a family of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents. It is being studied in cancer prevention.
Ketosis An enhanced production of ketone bodies.
keyhole limpet hemocyanin One of a group of drugs called immune modulators, given as a vaccine to help the body respond to cancer. Also called KLH.
KGF A natural substance that stimulates the growth of epithelial cells in the skin and in the lining of the mouth, stomach, and intestines.
kidney (KID-nee) One of a pair of organs in the abdomen. Kidneys remove waste from the blood (as urine), produce erythropoietin (a substance that stimulates red…
kidney cancer (KID-nee KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in tissues of the kidneys. Kidney cancer includes renal cell carcinoma (cancer that forms in the lining of very small…
kidney failure (KID-nee FAYL-yer) A condition in which the kidneys stop working and are not able to remove waste and extra water from the blood or keep body chemicals in…
kidney function test (KID-nee FUNK-shun ...) A test in which blood or urine samples are checked for the amounts of certain substances released by the kidneys.
kidneys Twin organs found in the lower part of the back. The kidneys purify the blood of all waste and harmful material.
killer cell A white blood cell that attacks tumor cells and body cells that have been invaded by foreign substances.
kilogram A measure of weight. A kilogram is equal to 2.2 pounds.
Kinaret A substance that is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, and is being studied in the treatment of cancer. Kinaret blocks the action of interleukin 1 (IL-1).
Klatskin tumor Cancer that develops in cells that line the bile ducts in the liver, where the right and left ducts meet. It is a type of cholangiocarcinoma.
Klebsiella A bacterium that frequently causes lung, urinary tract, intestinal, and wound infections.
KLH One of a group of drugs called immune modulators, given as a vaccine to help the body respond to cancer. Also called keyhole limpet hemocyanin.
Klinefelter syndrome (KLINE-fel-ter SIN-drome) A genetic disorder in males caused by having one or more extra X chromosomes.
Klinefelter's syndrome (Kline'-fell-terz sin'-drom) a congential (present at birth) condition that affects 1 out of every 850 men.
Knee Replacements Total or Partial Knee replacement surgery (arthroplasty) is an elective procedure for people with severe knee damage and pain related to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid…
Knowlesi See Plasmodium.
Korean acupuncture (...AK-yoo-PUNK-cher) A type of acupuncture based on a form of Oriental medicine in which treatment is based on a person's constitution.
KOS-862 A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of mitotic inhibitor and epothilone. Also called epothilone D.
KPS A standard way of measuring the ability of cancer patients to perform ordinary tasks. The Karnofsky Performance scores range from 0 to 100.
kretek A cigarette made of a mixture of tobacco and clove.
KRN5500 An anticancer drug that is a type of antitumor antibiotic. It is an anthracycline.
KRN7000 A drug being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is a biological response modifier that is a type of glycosphingolipid or agelasphin.
Krukenberg tumor (KROO-ken-berg TOO-mer) A tumor in the ovary caused by the spread of stomach cancer.
KSHV A type of herpesvirus that may cause Kaposi sarcoma (a rare cancer that can cause skin lesions) and a type of lymphoma (cancer that begins in the lymph…
KW2189 A semisynthetic anticancer drug that is a type of antitumor antibiotic.
KX2-391 A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. KX2-391 blocks an enzyme needed for growth of cells and may kill cancer cells.
Kytril (KY-tril) A drug used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatment. It is a type of serotonin receptor antagonist and a type of antiemetic.