proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging(PROH-ton mag-NEH-tik REH-zoh-nants SPEK-troh-SKAH-pik IH-muh-jing) A noninvasive imaging method that provides information about cellular activity…
protozoalHaving to do with the simplest organisms in the animal kingdom. Protozoa are single-cell organisms, such as ameba, and are different from bacteria, which…
ProtozoanSingle-celled organism that can perform all necessary functions of metabolism and reproduction.
Provenge(PROH-venj) A vaccine made from immune system cells collected from a patient with prostate cancer.
ProviderAny person or place that provides health care or prescription drugs. Providers can be doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, chiropractors, etc.
Provider CategoryThe category listed is the medical specialty for the health care practitioner, such as internal medicine or neurology.
proximalIn medicine, refers to a part of the body that is closer to the center of the body than another part. For example, the knee is proximal to the toes.
Proxinium(prok-SIH-nee-um) A substance being studied in the treatment of certain types of head and neck cancer.
pruritus(proo-RY-tus) Itching. Severe itching may be a side effect of some cancer treatments and a symptom of some types of cancers.
PS-341A drug used to treat multiple myeloma that has gotten worse during treatment with other anticancer drugs.
PSAA substance produced by the prostate. It may be found in higher levels in the blood of men who have prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia…
PSA bounceA brief rise and then fall in the blood level of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) that occurs in some patients 1-3 years after receiving radiation…
PSA failure(...FAYL-yer) A rise in the blood level of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) in prostate cancer patients after treatment with surgery or radiation.
psammoma body(sam-OH-muh BAH-dee) A structure found in some benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous) tumor cells.
PSC 833A substance that is being studied for its ability to prevent or overcome the resistance of tumor cells to some anticancer drugs.
Pseudogynecomastia(soo'-doh-guy'-neh-co-mast"-ee-uh) false gynecomastia; condition of fat distribution in men and boys that makes them appear as if they have breasts.
pseudomyxoma peritonei(SOO-doh-mix-OH-muh PAYR-ih-TOH-nee-I) A build-up of mucus in the peritoneal cavity.
psoralen(SOR-uh-len) A substance from plants that is sensitive to light (or can be activated by light).
psoralen and ultraviolet A therapy(SOR-uh-lenâ¦UL-truh-VY-oh-let A THAYR-uh-pee) A type of photodynamic therapy used to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis, vitiligo, and…
psoriasisA chronic disease of the skin marked by red patches covered with white scales.
psychiatrist(sy-KY-uh-trist) A medical doctor who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.
psychological(SY-koh-LAH-jih-kul) Having to do with how the mind works and how thoughts and feelings affect behavior.
psychologist(sy-KAH-loh-jist) A specialist who can talk with patients and their families about emotional and personal matters, and can help them make decisions.
psychosis(sy-KOH-sis) A severe mental disorder in which a person loses the ability to recognize reality or relate to others.
psychostimulant(SY-koh-STIM-yoo-lunt) A drug that causes a sense of well-being, decreases fatigue and depression, and increases the desire to eat.
PsychotherapeuticsDrugs that have an effect on the function of the brain and that often are used to treat psychiatric/neurologic disorders; includes opioids, CNS…
psychotherapy(SY-koh-THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment of mental, emotional, personality, and behavioral disorders using methods such as discussion, listening, and counseling.
psyllium(SIH-lee-um) A plant with seeds that are used as a mild laxative. The outer layer of the seeds swells when wet.
PT-100A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer, including certain types of lung, pancreas, and brain cancer.
PTCA procedure to x-ray the hepatic and common bile ducts. A contrasting agent is injected into the liver or bile duct, and the ducts are then x-rayed to…
PTCDA procedure to drain bile to relieve pressure in the bile ducts caused by a blockage.
PTHA substance made by the parathyroid gland that helps the body store and use calcium.
PTK787/ZK 222584A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the families of drugs called protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors and VEGF…
PTLDA condition in which a group of B-cells grow out of control after an organ transplant in patients with weakened immune systems.
PTSDAn anxiety disorder that develops in reaction to physical injury or severe mental or emotional distress, such as military combat, violent assault, natural…
puberty(PYOO-ber-tee) The time of life when a child experiences physical and hormonal changes that mark a transition into adulthood.
Public HealthA field that seeks to improve lives and the health of communities through the prevention and treatment of disease and the promotion of healthy behaviors…
pulmonary(PUL-moh-nayr-ee) Having to do with the lungs.
pulmonary rehabilitation educationEducation about behavior and lifestyle changes to help patients with chronic lung disease decrease breathing problems, return to daily activities, and…
pulmonary sulcus tumor(PUL-muh-NAYR-ee SUL-kuss TOO-mer) A type of lung cancer that begins in the upper part of a lung and spreads to nearby tissues such as the ribs and…
pulmonologist(PUL-muh-NAH-loh-jist) A doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the lungs.
Pulmozyme(PUL-moh-zime) A drug given in an aerosol mist to decrease the thickness of mucus in the lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis.
Pulse RateThe number of times the heart beats per minute.
pumice stoneA special foot care tool used to gently file calluses as instructed by your health care team.
pump (pump)A device that is used to give a controlled amount of a liquid at a specific rate.
punch biopsy(... BY-op-see) Removal of a small disk-shaped sample of tissue using a sharp, hollow device. The tissue is then examined under a microscope.
pupil(PYOO-pil) The round opening in the center of the iris (the colored tissue that makes the "eye color" at the front of the eye).
Purinethol(PYUR-in-thall) A drug used to treat acute lymphatic leukemia. It belongs to the family of drugs called antimetabolites. Also called mercaptopurine.
purple cloverTrifolium pratense. A plant with flowers that has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems.
purple coneflower(...KONE-flow-er) An herb native to North America that has been used to prevent and treat the common cold and other respiratory infections.
PUVA therapy(...THAYR-uh-pee) A type of photodynamic therapy used to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis, vitiligo, and skin nodules of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
PV701A virus that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of viruses that cause Newcastle disease in birds.
PXD101A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. PXD101 blocks enzymes needed for cell division and may kill cancer cells.
pyrazoloacridineA substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called acridines.
PyrethroidA class of insecticides derived from the natural pyrethrins.
pyridoxine(PEER-ih-DOK-seen) A key nutrient that the body needs to break down proteins, carbohydrates, and fats in food for healthy blood, skin, and nerves.
pyroxamide(py-ROX-uh-mide) A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called histone deacetylase inhibitors.