metastasis(meh-TAS-tuh-sis) The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another. A tumor formed by cells that have spread is called a "metastatic tumor" or a…
metastasize(meh-TAS-tuh-size) To spread from one part of the body to another. When cancer cells metastasize and form secondary tumors, the cells in the metastatic…
Metastatic(meh-tuh-STA-tik) Having to do with metastasis, which is the spread of cancer from one part of the body to another.
metastatic cancer(meh-tuh-STA-tik KAN-ser) Cancer that has spread from the place in which it started to other parts of the body.
meteorismSwelling of the abdomen caused by gas in the intestines or peritoneal cavity. Also called tympanites.
Methadone(MEH-thuh-DONE) A morphine-like drug used to treat severe pain and to prevent withdrawal symptoms in patients who are addicted to heroin or other opiates.
methodology(MEH-thuh-DAH-loh-jee) In medicine, the rules and procedures for doing research and evaluating results.
methotrexate(meh-thuh-TREK-sayt) A drug used to treat some types of cancer, severe skin conditions such as psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
methoxsalen(meh-THOX-uh-len) A drug used together with UV light to treat psoriasis, vitiligo, and skin nodules of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
methoxypolyethylene glycol epoetin beta(meh-THOK-see-PAH-lee-EH-thih-leen GLY-kol ee-POH-eh-tin...) A substance being studied in the treatment of anemia in patients who are receiving…
methyl-5-aminolevulinateA drug used in photodynamic therapy; it is absorbed by tumor cells and, when exposed to light, becomes active and kills the cancer cells.
methylnaltrexone(MEH-thul-nal-TREK-sone) The active ingredient in a drug used to relieve certain side effects caused by treatment with opiods (pain killers similar to…
methylnaltrexone bromide(MEH-thul-nal-TREK-sone BROH-mide) A drug used to relieve certain side effects caused by treatment with opiods (pain killers similar to morphine), such as…
methylphenidateA drug that is a central nervous system stimulant.
metoclopramide(met-oh-KLOH-pruh-mide) A drug that increases the motility (movements and contractions) of the stomach and upper intestine.
metronidazoleA drug that is used to treat infection and is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of antibacterial, antiprotozoal, and anthelmintic.
metronomic therapy(MEH-truh-NAH-mik THAYR-uh-pee) Continuous or frequent treatment with low doses of anticancer drugs, often given with other methods of therapy.
MeV linear accelerator(...LIH-nee-er ak-SEH-luh-RAY-tur) A machine that uses electricity to form a stream of fast-moving subatomic particles.
Mevacor(MEV-uh-kor) A drug used to lower the amount of cholesterol in the blood. It is also being studied in the prevention and treatment of some types of cancer.
Mexican valerianA plant whose roots are used as a sedative and to treat certain medical conditions.
mg/dlSymbol for milligram per deciliters. This is the unit of measure used when referring to blood glucose levels.
MG98An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called antisense compounds. These drugs interfere with production of certain proteins in the cell.
MGUSA benign condition in which there is a higher-than-normal level of a protein called M protein in the blood.
microalbuminA protein found in blood plasma and urine. The presence of microalbumin in the urine can be a sign of kidney disease.
microcalcification(MY-krow-kal-si-fi-KAY-shun) A tiny deposit of calcium in the breast that cannot be felt but can be detected on a mammogram.
Microcalcifications or calcifications(mi'-crow-cal-sih-fih-cay"-shuns) are a finding reported on mammograms. They are an indicator of increased in breast activity in some cells.
microfluidic device(MY-kroh-floo-IH-dik dee-VICE) An instrument that uses very small amounts of fluid on a microchip to do certain laboratory tests.
micrometastasis(MY-kroh-meh-TAS-tuh-sis) Small numbers of cancer cells that have spread from the primary tumor to other parts of the body and are too few to be picked up…
micromolar(MY-kroh-MOH-lur) A concentration of 1/1,000,000 (one millionth) molecular weight per liter (mol/L).
micronutrient(MY-kroh-NOO-tree-ent) A substance the body needs in tiny amounts to grow and stay healthy. Examples are vitamins and minerals.
microorganismAn organism that can be seen only through a microscope. Microorganisms include bacteria, protozoa, algae, and fungi.
microsatelliteA short sequence of DNA, usually 1 to 4 basepairs (a unit of DNA), that is repeated together in a row along the DNA molecule.
microsatellite instability(MY-kroh-SA-teh-lite in-stuh-BIH-lih-tee) A change that occurs in the DNA of certain cells (such as tumor cells) in which the number of repeats of…
microscopicToo small to be seen without a microscope.
microsphere(MY-kroh-sfeer) A very tiny, hollow, round particle made from glass, ceramic, plastic, or other materials.
microstagingA technique used to help determine the stage (extent) of melanoma and certain squamous cell cancers.
microwave acupuncture(MY-kroh-WAYV AK-yoo-PUNK-cher) A type of acupuncture in which a microwave device is attached to an acupuncture needle to give microwave radiation at an…
microwave therapy(MY-kroh-WAYV THAYR-uh-pee) A type of treatment in which body tissue is exposed to high temperatures to damage and kill cancer cells or to make cancer…
microwave thermotherapy(MY-kroh-WAYV THER-moh-THAYR-uh-pee) A type of treatment in which body tissue is exposed to high temperatures to damage and kill cancer cells or to make…
midazolam(mih-DAY-zoh-lam) A drug used to treat anxiety and tension and to relax muscles.
midazolam hydrochloride(mih-DAY-zoh-lam HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A drug used to treat anxiety and tension and to relax muscles.
midostaurin(MY-doh-STAW-rin) A substance that is being studied in the treatment of leukemia. It belongs to the family of drugs called protein kinase inhibitors.
Mifeprex(MIH-feh-PREX) A drug used to end early pregnancies. It is also being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer and other conditions.
mifepristone(MIH-feh-PRIS-tone) A drug used to end early pregnancies. It is also being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer and other conditions.
milk thistleA plant that has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems, including stomach, liver, and gallbladder disorders.
milligramA measure of weight. A milligram is approximately 450,000 times smaller than a pound and 28,000 times smaller than an ounce.
milliliterA measure of volume for a liquid. A milliliter is approximately 950 times smaller than a quart and 30 times smaller than a fluid ounce.
millimeterA measure of length in the metric system. A millimeter is one thousandth of a meter. There are 25 millimeters in an inch.
mind/body exercise(mind BAH-dee EK-ser-SIZE) A form of exercise that combines body movement with mental focus and controlled breathing to improve strength, balance…
mindfulness relaxationA type of meditation based on the concept of being "mindful," or having increased awareness, of the present.
mineral oil(MIH-neh-rul OYL) A type of oil that is made from petroleum (mixture of oily liquids found in the earth).
Minimum Essential CoverageThe type of coverage an individual needs to have to meet the individual responsibility requirement under the Affordable Care Act.
Minimum valueA health plan meets this standard if it’s designed to pay at least 60% of the total cost of medical services for a standard population.
Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association (MCHA)The Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association (MCHA) offers policies of individual health insurance to Minnesota residents who have been turned down for…
MinnesotaCareMinnesotaCare is a subsidized health care coverage program for lower income Minnesotans who do not have access to affordable employer-based health care…
minocycline-EDTA(min-oh-SY-kleen ...) A substance being studied in the treatment of bacterial infections from catheters (flexible tubes used to deliver fluids into or…
Minority AIDS Initiative (MAI)A national HHS initiative that provides special resources to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and improve health outcomes for people living with HIV/AIDS…
MIP testA test that measures the strength of the muscles used in breathing. A person inhales and exhales through a device called a manometer, and the pressures…
Miraluma testA type of breast imaging test that is used to detect cancer cells in the breasts of some women who have had abnormal mammograms, or who have dense breast…
mirtazapine(mir-TAZ-a-peen) A drug used to treat depression. It belongs to the family of drugs called antidepressant agents. Also called Remeron.
misoprostolA radioprotective agent that belongs to the family of drugs called prostaglandins.
mistletoeA semiparasitic plant that grows on some types of trees. Mistletoe extracts are being studied as treatments for cancer.
mistletoe lectinA substance that comes from the mistletoe plant and that is being studied as a treatment for cancer.
Mithracin(MITH-ruh-sin) A drug used to treat some types of testicular cancer. It is also used to treat a higher-than-normal amounts of calcium in the blood or…
mithramycin(MITH-ruh-MY-sin) A drug used to treat some types of testicular cancer. It is also used to treat a higher-than-normal amounts of calcium in the blood or…
Mitochondria(MY-toh-KON-dree-uh) Small structures in a cell that are found in the cytoplasm (fluid that surrounds the cell nucleus).
mitolactolAn anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called alkylating agents.
mitomycinAn anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called antitumor antibiotics.
Mitosis(my-TOH-sis) The process by which a single parent cell divides to make two new daughter cells.
mitotane(MY-toh-tane) An anticancer drug used in treating adrenocortical cancer and ACTH-producing pituitary tumors (Cushing disease).
mitotic activityHaving to do with the presence of dividing (proliferating) cells. Cancerous tissue generally has more mitotic activity than normal tissues.
mitotic cycle(my-TAH-tik SY-kul) The process a cell goes through each time it divides. The mitotic cycle consists of a series of steps during which the chromosomes and…
mitotic indexIn a population of cells, the ratio of the number of cells undergoing mitosis (cell division) to the number of cells not undergoing mitosis.
mitotic inhibitorA type of drug that blocks cell growth by stopping mitosis (cell division). They are used to treat cancer. Also called antimitotic agent.
mitoxantroneA drug used to treat advanced prostate cancer that does not respond to hormones, adult acute nonlymphocytic leukemia, and advanced or chronic multiple…
mivobulin isethionateAn anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called mitotic inhibitors. Also called CI-980.
mixed glioma(...glee-OH-muh) A brain tumor that forms from more than one type of brain cell, usually astrocytes and oligodendrocytes.
MK0752A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It blocks signals between growing cells and may kill cancer cells.
MLN2704A substance that is being studied in the treatment of prostate cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called antibody drug conjugates.
MLN518A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. It may stop cancer cell growth by blocking certain enzymes and by preventing the…
MLN591DM1A substance that is being studied in the treatment of prostate cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called antibody drug conjugates.
MMMTA rare type of tumor that is a mixture of carcinoma and sarcoma cells. MMMT usually occurs in the uterus.
modafinilA drug that is being studied as a treatment for fatigue in patients with cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called stimulants.
ModalityA method of treatment. For example, surgery and chemotherapy are treatment modalities.
Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI)Your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is your adjusted gross income (AGI) plus deductions, such as college loan interest and contributions to a…
modified radical mastectomy(... RA-dih-kul ma-STEK-toh-mee) Surgery for breast cancer in which the breast, most or all of the lymph nodes under the arm, and the lining over the…
Mohs micrographic surgeryA surgical procedure used to treat skin cancer. Individual layers of cancerous tissue are removed and examined under a microscope one at a time until all…
Mohs surgery(MOZE SER-juh-ree) A surgical procedure used to treat skin cancer. Individual layers of cancerous tissue are removed and examined under a microscope one…
molar pregnancy(MOH-ler PREG-nun-see) A slow-growing tumor that develops from trophoblastic cells (cells that help an embryo attach to the uterus and help form the…
moldA form of fungus. Some molds can cause disease in humans.
moleA benign (noncancerous) growth on the skin that is formed by a cluster of melanocytes (cells that make a substance called melanin, which gives color to…