partial response(PAR-shul reh-SPONTS) A decrease in the size of a tumor, or in the extent of cancer in the body, in response to treatment. Also called partial remission.
partial vulvectomy(PAR-shul vul-VEK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove most, but not all, of the vulva (the external female genital organs, including the clitoris, vaginal lips…
passive antibody therapy(...AN-tee-BAH-dee THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment with injections of antibodies made in another animal or in the laboratory.
pastoral counselor(PAS-tuh-rul KOWN-suh-ler) A person who is trained to give spiritual and mental health advice.
patchouli(puh-CHOO-lee) A bushy herb that is a member of the mint family. A strong-smelling oil taken from the leaves is used in perfumes, incense, detergents, and…
Paterson-Kelly syndromeA disorder marked by anemia caused by iron deficiency, and a web-like growth of membranes in the throat that makes swallowing difficult.
PathogenBacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi can cause disease.
PathogensBacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi that can cause disease; a specific causative agent of a disease such as bacterium or a virus.
pathognomonic(PATH-og-NOH-mah-nik) Having to do with a sign or symptom that is specific to a certain disease.
pathologic fracture(PA-thuh-LAH-jik FRAK-sher) A broken bone caused by disease, often by the spread of cancer to the bone.
pathological staging(PA-thuh-LAH-jih-kul STAY-jing) A method used to determine the stage of cancer. Tissue samples are removed during surgery or a biopsy.
Pathologist(puh-THAH-loh-jist) A doctor who identifies diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope.
pathology report(puh-THAH-loh-jee ...) The description of cells and tissues made by a pathologist based on microscopic evidence, and sometimes used to make a diagnosis of…
patient advocateA person who helps a patient work with others who have an effect on the patient's health, including doctors, insurance companies, employers, case…
Patient Package Insert (PPI)A patient package insert contains information for patients' understanding of how to safely use a drug product.
Patient safetyWays to keep patients safe from infection or the spread of disease.
Patient-Centered Outcomes ResearchResearch that compares different medical treatments and interventions to provide evidence on which strategies are most effective in different populations…
patient-controlled analgesia(...AN-ul-JEE-zee-uh) A method of pain relief in which the patient controls the amount of pain medicine that is used.
Paxil(PAK-sil) A drug used to treat depression and anxiety disorders. It is a type of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).
Payment BundlingA payment structure in which different health care providers who are treating you for the same or related conditions are paid an overall sum for taking…
Payment FrequencyYou can choose how often you would like to pay your insurance premiums. If you choose “monthly,” your premium payments will be due every month.
pazopanib(puz-OH-puh-nib) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor and angiogenesis inhibitor.
pazopanib hydrochloride(puz-OH-puh-nib HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer.
PC-SPESA mixture of eight herbs that has been sold as a dietary supplement and promoted as a way to keep the prostate healthy and to treat prostate cancer.
PCAA method of pain relief in which the patient controls the amount of pain medicine that is used.
PCNSLPrimary CNS lymphoma. Cancer that forms in the lymph tissue of the brain, spinal cord, meninges (outer covering of the brain), or eye (called ocular…
PCOSA condition marked by infertility, enlarged ovaries, menstrual problems, high levels of male hormones, excess hair on the face and body, acne, and obesity.
PCRA laboratory method used to make many copies of a specific DNA sequence. Also called polymerase chain reaction.
PDQPDQ is an online database developed and maintained by the National Cancer Institute.
peau d'orangeA dimpled condition of the skin of the breast, resembling the skin of an orange, sometimes found in inflammatory breast cancer.
pediatric(pee-dee-A-trik) Having to do with children.
pediatric hematologist(PEE-dee-A-trik HEE-muh-TAH-loh-jist) A doctor who specializes in treating blood disorders in children.
pediatric nurse specialist(pee-dee-A-trik ... SPEH-shuh-list) A registered nurse with an advanced degree in nursing who specializes in the care of children.
pediatric surgeonA surgeon who specializes in the treatment of children. A surgeon removes or repairs a part of the body by operating on the patient.
pedigreeA record of one's ancestors, offspring, siblings, and their offspring that may be used to determine the pattern of certain genes or disease inheritance…
peer review processThe process by which original articles and grants written by researchers are evaluated for technical and scientific quality and correctness by other…
peer-reviewed scientific journalA publication that contains original articles that have been written by scientists and evaluated for technical and scientific quality and correctness by…
PEG-asparaginase(...as-PA-ruh-jih-NAYZ) A drug used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
PEG-interferon alfa-2a(peg-IN-ter-FEER-on AL-fuh ...) A drug used to treat hepatitis C infections. It is also being studied in the treatment and prevention of cancer.
PEG-interferon alfa-2b(peg-IN-ter-FEER-on AL-fuh ...) A drug used to treat hepatitis C infections. It is also being studied in the treatment and prevention of cancer.
PEG-IntronA drug that is used to treat hepatitis C infections. It is also being studied in the treatment and prevention of cancer.
PEG-MGDFA form of megakaryocyte growth and development factor (MGDF) that is made in the laboratory.
PEG-rhMGDFA form of megakaryocyte growth and development factor (MGDF) that is made in the laboratory.
pegaspargase(peg-A-spar-jayz) A drug used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). It is a form of the drug asparaginase that is linked to a substance called PEG…
Pegasys(PEH-guh-sis) A drug used to treat hepatitis C infections. It is also being studied in the treatment and prevention of cancer.
pegfilgrastim(peg-fil-GRAS-tim) A drug used to increase numbers of white blood cells in patients who are receiving chemotherapy.
pegylated arginine deiminase(PEH-guh-LAYT-ed AR-jih-neen DEE-IM-ih-nayz) A substance being studied in the treatment of melanoma, liver cancer, and other types of cancer.
PEITCA substance being studied in the prevention of cancer. It is a naturally occurring compound found in some cruciferous vegetables.
pelargonium(PEH-lar-GOH-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.
peldesineA substance that is being studied for the treatment of cancer.
pelvicHaving to do with the pelvis (the lower part of the abdomen located between the hip bones).
pelvic examinationA physical examination in which the health care professional will feel for lumps or changes in the shape of the vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes…
pelvic exenterationSurgery to remove the lower colon, rectum, and bladder, and create stomata (openings) through which urine and stool are passed out of the body.
pelvic lymphadenectomy(PEL-vik LIM-fa-deh-NEK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove lymph nodes in the pelvis for examination under a microscope to see if they contain cancer.
pelvic wallThe muscles and ligaments that line the part of the body between the hips.
pelvisThe lower part of the abdomen, located between the hip bones.
pemetrexed disodium(pem-eh-TREX-ed dy-SOH-dee-um) A drug that is used to treat malignant pleural mesothelioma and advanced non-small cell lung cancer and is being studied in…
penclomedineA substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called alkylating agents.
penectomy(pee-NEK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove part or all of the penis (an external male reproductive organ).
penicillamineA drug that removes copper from the body and is used to treat diseases in which there is an excess of copper.
penicillinA drug that is used to treat infection. It belongs to the family of drugs called antibiotics.
penile cancer(PEE-nile KAN-ser) A rare cancer that forms in the penis (an external male reproductive organ).
penile implant(PEE-nile...) A firm rod or inflatable device that is placed in the penis (an external male reproductive organ) during a surgical procedure.
penis(PEE-nis) An external male reproductive organ. It contains a tube called the urethra, which carries semen and urine to the outside of the body.
Pension (Retirement Benefit)A payment or series of payments made to you after you retire from work. Generally, the amount of your income from a pension or retirement account…
pentetic acid calcium(pen-TET-ik A-sid KAL-see-um) A drug that protects healthy tissues from the toxic effects of anticancer drugs.
pentosan polysulfate(PEN-tuh-SAN PAH-lee-SUL-fayt) A drug used to relieve pain or discomfort associated with chronic inflammation of the bladder.
pentostatin(PEN-toh-STA-tin) The active ingredient in a drug that is used to treat hairy cell leukemia and is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.
pentoxifyllineA drug used to prevent blood clotting and as a treatment that may help decrease weight loss in people with cancer.
peptideAny compound consisting of two or more amino acids, the building blocks of proteins.
peptide 946A protein that causes white blood cells to recognize and destroy melanoma cells.
Percent ChangeThe percent change (PC) in a statistic over a given time interval is Percent change = (Final value - Initial value) / Initial value * 100.
percutaneous(per-kyoo-TAY-nee-us) Passing through the skin, as an injection or a topical medicine.
percutaneous ethanol injection(per-kyoo-TAY-nee-us EH-thuh-nol in-JEK-shun) An injection of ethanol (alcohol) through the skin directly into the tumor to kill cancer cells.
percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage(per-kyoo-TAY-nee-us TRANZ-heh-PA-tik BIH-lee-ayr-ee DRAY-nij) A procedure to drain bile to relieve pressure in the bile ducts caused by a blockage.
percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage(per-kyoo-TAY-nee-us TRANZ-heh-PA-tik koh-lan-jee-oh-DRAY-nij) A procedure to drain bile to relieve pressure in the bile ducts caused by a blockage.
performance statusA measure of how well a patient is able to perform ordinary tasks and carry out daily activities.
perfusion(per-FYOO-zhun) Bathing an organ or tissue with a fluid. In regional perfusion, a specific area of the body (usually an arm or a leg) receives high doses…
perfusion magnetic resonance imaging(per-FYOO-zhun mag-NEH-tik REH-zoh-nants IH-muh-jing) A special type of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that uses an injected dye in order to see blood…
periampullary cancer(PAYR-ee-AM-puh-LAYR-ee KAN-ser) A cancer that forms near the ampulla of Vater (an enlargement of the ducts from the liver and pancreas where they join…
pericardial effusionAn abnormal collection of fluid inside the sac that covers the heart.
perifosineA substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called alkylphospholipids.
perillyl alcoholA substance that is being studied in the prevention of cancer. It belongs to the family of plant drugs called monoterpenes.
perimenopausal(PAYR-ih-MEH-nuh-PAW-zul) The time of a woman's life when menstrual periods become irregular. Refers to the time just before menopause.
perineal colostomy(PAYR-uh-NEE-ul koh-LOS-toh-mee) An opening made surgically to allow the colon to exit the body through the perineum (the area of the body between the…
perineal prostatectomy(PAYR-uh-NEE-ul PROS-tuh-TEK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove the prostate through an incision made between the scrotum and the anus.
perineumThe area of the body between the anus and the vulva in females, and between the anus and the scrotum in males.
perineural(pear-ih-NOOR-al) Around a nerve or group of nerves.
periodontitisA gum disease in which the gums shrink away from the teeth. Without treatment, it can lead to tooth loss.
perioperative(PER-ee-AH-pruh-tiv) Around the time of surgery. This usually lasts from the time the patient goes into the hospital or doctor's office for surgery until…
Peripheral Artery DiseaseThe artery passage is blocked from the heart with a build up of fat and fibrous tissue, called plaque.
peripheral blood(peh-RIH-feh-rul blud) Blood circulating throughout the body.
peripheral blood lymphocyte therapy(peh-RIH-feh-rul blud LIM-foh-site THAYR-uh-pee) A treatment for Epstein-Barr virus infection or overgrowth of white blood cells (lymphocytes) after an…
peripheral blood smear(peh-RIH-feh-rul blud smeer) A procedure in which a sample of blood is viewed under a microscope to count different circulating blood cells (red blood…
peripheral neuropathy(peh-RIH-feh-rul noo-ROP-uh-thee) A nerve problem that causes pain, numbness, tingling, swelling, or muscle weakness in different parts of the body.
peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor(peh-RIH-feh-rul PRI-mih-tiv NOOR-oh-EK-toh-DER-mul TOO-mer) A type of cancer that forms in bone or soft tissue. Also called Ewing sarcoma and pPNET.