Healthcare terms starting with P

660 terms

P-32 A radioactive form of the element phosphorus used in the treatment of cancer.
p-value A statistics term. A measure of probability that a difference between groups during an experiment happened by chance.
p53 gene A tumor suppressor gene that normally inhibits the growth of tumors. This gene is altered in many types of cancer.
pacemaker (PAYS-may-ker) An electronic device that is implanted in the body to monitor heart rate and rhythm.
Pacific valerian A plant whose roots are used as a sedative and to treat certain medical conditions.
pack year A way to measure the amount a person has smoked over a long period of time. It is calculated by multiplying the number of packs of cigarettes smoked per…
paclitaxel (PA-klih-TAK-sil) A drug used to treat breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma.
paclitaxel albumin-stabilized nanoparticle formulation (PAK-lih-TAK-sil al-BYOO-min-STAY-bih-lized NA-noh-PAR-tih-kil for-myoo-LAY-shun) A drug used to treat breast cancer that has spread or that has come back…
paclitaxel liposome (PA-klih-TAK-sil LY-poh-SOME) A form of the anticancer drug paclitaxel that is contained in very tiny, fat-like particles.
paclitaxel poliglumex (PA-klih-TAK-sil PAH-lee-GLOO-mex) A form of the anticancer drug paclitaxel combined with a protein called poliglumex that may have fewer side effects and…
paclitaxel polyglutamate (PA-klih-TAK-sil PAH-lee-GLOO-tuh-mayt) A form of the anticancer drug paclitaxel combined with a protein called poliglumex that may have fewer side…
Paget disease of bone (PA-jet dih-ZEEZ ...) A chronic condition in which both the breakdown and regrowth of bone are increased.
Paget disease of the nipple (PA-jet dih-ZEEZ ...) A form of breast cancer in which the tumor grows from ducts beneath the nipple onto the surface of the nipple.
pain threshold The point at which a person becomes aware of pain.
PALA A substance that is being studied for its ability to increase the effectiveness of the anticancer drug fluorouracil.
palate (PAL-et) The roof of the mouth. The front portion is bony (hard palate), and the back portion is muscular (soft palate).
palatine uvula The soft flap of tissue that hangs down at the back of the mouth (at the edge of the soft palate). Also called uvula.
palifermin (pal-ee-FER-min) A form of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) that is made in the laboratory.
palliation (PA-lee-AY-shun) Relief of symptoms and suffering caused by cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
Palliative (pal-ee-uh-tiv) affording relief, but not cure. An alleviating medicine.
palliative care (PA-lee-uh-tiv...) Care given to improve the quality of life of patients who have a serious or life-threatening disease.
palliative therapy (PA-lee-uh-tiv THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment given to relieve the symptoms and reduce the suffering caused by cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (PAL-mer-PLAN-ter eh-RITH-roh-DIS-es-THEE-zhuh) A condition marked by pain, swelling, numbness, tingling, or redness of the hands or feet.
palonosetron (pal-oh-NOH-seh-tron) The active ingredient in a drug used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatment.
palonosetron hydrochloride (pal-oh-NOH-seh-tron HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A drug used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatment.
palpable disease A term used to describe cancer that can be felt by touch, usually present in lymph nodes, skin, or other organs of the body such as the liver or colon.
palpation Examination by pressing on the surface of the body to feel the organs or tissues underneath.
palpitation (PAL-pih-TAY-shun) A rapid or irregular heartbeat that a person can feel.
pamidronate A drug that is used to treat hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood) and cancer that has spread to the bones.
panacea A cure-all.
Pancoast tumor A type of lung cancer that begins in the upper part of a lung and spreads to nearby tissues such as the ribs and vertebrae.
pancreas A glandular organ located in the abdomen. It makes pancreatic juices, which contain enzymes that aid in digestion, and it produces several hormones…
pancreatectomy (PAN-kree-uh-TEK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove all or part of the pancreas. In a total pancreatectomy, part of the stomach, part of the small intestine, the…
pancreatic Having to do with the pancreas.
pancreatic cancer (pan-kree-AT-ic KAN-ser) A disease in which malignant (cancer) cells are found in the tissues of the pancreas. Also called exocrine cancer.
pancreatic duct Part of a system of ducts in the pancreas. Pancreatic juices containing enzymes are released into these ducts and flow into the small intestine.
pancreatic endocrine cancer (PAN-kree-A-tik EN-doh-krin KAN-ser) A rare cancer that forms in the islets of Langerhans cells (a type of cell found in the pancreas).
pancreatic enzyme A protein secreted by the pancreas that aids in the digestion of food.
pancreatic juice Fluid made by the pancreas. Pancreatic juices contain proteins called enzymes that aid in digestion.
pancreatitis Inflammation of the pancreas. Chronic pancreatitis may cause diabetes and problems with digestion. Pain is the primary symptom.
panic (PA-nik) Sudden extreme anxiety or fear that may cause irrational thoughts or actions.
panitumumab (pan-ih-tuh-MYOO-mab) A human monoclonal antibody that is being used to treat colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
PANVAC-V A cancer vaccine made with a form of vaccinia virus that does not cause disease in humans. It is being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
PAP An enzyme produced by the prostate. It may be found in increased amounts in men who have prostate cancer. Also called prostatic acid phosphatase.
Pap smear A procedure in which cells are scraped from the cervix for examination under a microscope. It is used to detect cancer and changes that may lead to cancer.
Pap test A procedure in which cells are scraped from the cervix for examination under a microscope. It is used to detect cancer and changes that may lead to cancer.
papillary serous carcinoma (PA-pih-LAYR-ee SEER-us KAR-sih-NOH-muh) An aggressive cancer that usually affects the uterus/endometrium, peritoneum, or ovary.
papillary thyroid cancer (PA-pih-LAYR-ee THY-royd KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in follicular cells in the thyroid and grows in small finger-like shapes.
papillary tumor (PA-pih-LAYR-ee TOO-mer) A tumor shaped like a small mushroom, with its stem attached to the epithelial layer (inner lining) of an organ.
papilledema (pap-il-eh-DEE-ma) Swelling around the optic disk, the area where the optic nerve (the nerve that carries messages from the eye to the brain) enters the…
PAR-101 A substance being studied in the treatment of diarrhea caused by infection with Clostridium difficile (a type of bacteria that can grow without oxygen) in…
paracentesis (PAYR-uh-sen-TEE-siss) A procedure in which a thin needle or tube is put into the abdomen to remove fluid from the peritoneal cavity (the space within the…
paraganglia (PAYR-uh-GANG-glee-uh) A collection of cells that came from embryonic nervous tissue, and are found near the adrenal glands and some blood vessels and…
paraganglioma (PAYR-uh-GANG-glee-OH-muh) A rare, usually benign tumor that develops from cells of the paraganglia.
parageusia A bad taste in the mouth. Also called dysgeusia.
paralysis (puh-RAL-ih-siss) Loss of ability to move all or part of the body.
paralytic ileus (PA-ruh-LIH-tic IH-lee-us) A condition in which the muscles of the intestines do not allow food to pass through, resulting in a blocked intestine.
paramyxovirus (pa-ruh-MIK-suh-VY-rus) A type of virus that has hemagglutinin-neuraminidase proteins in the outer coat and RNA as the genetic material.
paranasal sinus (PAYR-uh-NAY-zul SY-nus) One of many small hollow spaces in the bones around the nose.
paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer (PAYR-uh-NAY-zul SY-nus ... NAY-zul KA-vuh-tee KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in tissues of the paranasal sinuses (small hollow spaces in the bones around the…
paraneoplastic syndrome (PAYR-uh-nee-oh-PLASS-tik SIN-drome) A group of symptoms that may develop when substances released by some cancer cells disrupt the normal function of…
paranoia (PAYR-uh-noy-uh) A mental disorder in which a person has an extreme fear and distrust of others.
parasite An animal or plant that gets nutrients by living on or in an organism of another species.
Parasitemia The presence of parasites in the blood. The term can also be used to express the quantity of parasites in the blood (e.g., "a parasitemia of 2%").
parasitic (PAYR-uh-SIH-tik) Having to do with or being a parasite (an animal or plant that gets nutrients by living on or in an organism of another species).
parasomnia (PAYR-uh-SOM-nee-ah) An abnormal disruption of sleep, such as sleep walking, sleep talking, nightmares, bedwetting, sleep apnea (problems with breathing…
parasympathetic nervous system (PA-ruh-SIM-puh-THEH-tik NER-vus SIS-tem) The part of the nervous system that slows the heart, dilates blood vessels, decreases pupil size, increases…
parathormone (PAYR-uh-THOR-mone) A substance made by the parathyroid gland that helps the body store and use calcium.
parathyrin (PAYR-uh-THY-rin) A substance made by the parathyroid gland that helps the body store and use calcium.
parathyroid cancer (PAYR-uh-THY-royd KAN-ser) A rare cancer that forms in tissues of one or more of the parathyroid glands (four pea-sized glands in the neck that make…
parathyroid gland (PAYR-uh-THY-royd...) One of four pea-sized glands found on the surface of the thyroid.
parathyroid hormone (PAYR-uh-THY-royd HOR-mone) A substance made by the parathyroid gland that helps the body store and use calcium.
parathyroidectomy (PAYR-uh-THY-roy-DEK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove one or more parathyroid glands (four pea-sized organs found on the thyroid).
parenchyma (pah-REN-kih-ma) The essential or functional elements of an organ.
parenteral nutrition A form of nutrition that is delivered into a vein. Parenteral nutrition does not use the digestive system.
paresthesia (par-es-THEE-zhuh) An abnormal touch sensation, such as burning or prickling, that occurs without an outside stimulus.
paricalcitol (par-i-KAL-si-tol) A substance that is being used to treat overactive parathyroid glands in patients with kidney failure.
parietal pericardium The outer layer of the pericardium, which is a thin sac of tissue that surrounds the heart.
parietal peritoneum (puh-RY-uh-tul PAYR-ih-toh-NEE-um) The layers of tissue that line the abdominal wall and the pelvic cavity.
Parkinson disease (PAR-kin-sun dih-ZEEZ) A progressive disorder of the nervous system marked by muscle tremors, muscle rigidity, decreased mobility, stooped posture, slow…
parotid gland cancer (puh-RAH-tid ...) Cancer that forms in a parotid gland, the largest of the salivary glands, which make saliva and release it into the mouth.
parotidectomy (pa-RAH-tih-DEK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove all or part of the parotid gland (a large salivary gland located in front of and just below the ear).
paroxetine hydrochloride (puh-ROX-uh-teen HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A drug used to treat depression and anxiety disorders. It is a type of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).
Paroxysm A sudden attack or increase in intensity of a symptom, usually occurring in intervals.
paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (puh-rahk-SIZ-mul nok-TUR-nul HEE-moh-gloh-bih-NOO-ree-uh) A rare disorder in which red blood cells are easily destroyed by certain immune system proteins.
Part A The part of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (formerly, Title I) that provides emergency assistance to localities (EMAs) disproportionately affected by the…
Part B The part of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (formerly, Title II) that provides funds to States and territories for primary health care (including HIV…
Part C The part of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (formerly, Title III) that supports outpatient primary medical care and early intervention services to PLWHA…
Part D The part of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (formerly, Title IV) that supports coordinated services and access to research for children, youth, and women…
Part F (AETC) (AIDS Education and Training Center) Regional centers providing education and training for primary care professionals and other AIDS-related personnel.
Part F (Community Based Dental Partnership Program) The program within the HRSA HIV/AIDS Bureau's Division of Community Based Programs that delivers HIV/AIDS dental care while simultaneously training dental…
Part F (HIV/AIDS Dental Reimbursement Program) The program within the HRSA HIV/AIDS Bureau's Division of Community Based Programs that assists with uncompensated costs incurred in providing oral health…
Part F (SPNS) (Special Projects of National Significance) A health services demonstration, research, and evaluation program funded under Part F of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program to identify innovative models of…
partial cystectomy (PAR-shul sis-TEK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove part of the bladder (the organ that holds urine). Also called segmental cystectomy.
partial hysterectomy (PAR-shul HIS-teh-REK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove the uterus, but not the cervix. Also called subtotal hysterectomy.
partial laryngectomy (PAR-shul LA-rin-JEK-toh-mee) An operation to remove part of the larynx (voice box).
partial mastectomy (PAR-shul ma-STEK-toh-mee) The removal of cancer as well as some of the breast tissue around the tumor and the lining over the chest muscles below the…
partial nephrectomy (PAR-shul neh-FREK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove part of one kidney or a kidney tumor, but not an entire kidney.
partial oophorectomy (PAR-shul oh-oh-foh-REK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove part of one ovary or part of both ovaries.
partial remission A decrease in the size of a tumor, or in the extent of cancer in the body, in response to treatment. Also called partial response.