RecoveryRestoration or return to health from sickness.
recreational therapy(...THAYR-uh-pee) A type of therapy that uses activities to help meet the physical and emotional needs of patients with an illness or disability and help…
RecrudescenceA repeated attack of malaria due to the survival of malaria parasites in red blood cells.
rectal(REK-tul) By or having to do with the rectum. The rectum is the last several inches of the large intestine closest to the anus.
rectal cancer(REK-tul KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in the tissues of the rectum (the last several inches of the large intestine closest to the anus).
rectal reconstruction(REK-tul REE-kun-STRUK-shun) Surgery to rebuild the rectum (the last several inches of the large intestine before the anus) using a section of the colon.
rectitis(rek-TY-tis) Inflammation of the mucous membrane that lines the rectum (the last several inches of the large intestine closest to the anus).
Rectum(REK-tum) The last several inches of the large intestine closest to the anus.
recurrence(ree-KER-ents) Cancer that has recurred (come back), usually after a period of time during which the cancer could not be detected.
recurrent cancer(ree-KER-ent KAN-ser) Cancer that has recurred (come back), usually after a period of time during which the cancer could not be detected.
red blood cellA cell that carries oxygen to all parts of the body. Also called erythrocyte and RBC.
red cedar(...SEE-der) A type of evergreen tree with hard fragrant wood that is a member of the cypress family.
red cloverTrifolium pratense. A plant with flowers that has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems.
red dateThe fruit of the jujube plant. It has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems.
red elmThe inner bark of this plant has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems. It may have antioxidant effects.
Reed-Sternberg cellA type of cell that appears in people with Hodgkin disease. The number of these cells increases as the disease advances.
Reference Listed Drug (RLD)A Reference Listed Drug (RLD) is an approved drug product to which new generic versions are compared to show that they are bioequivalent.
ReferralA written order from your primary care doctor for you to see a specialist or get certain medical services.
ReflectivenessThe extent to which the demographics of the planning body's membership look like the demographics of the epidemic in the service area.
refluxThe backward flow of liquid from the stomach into the esophagus.
refractoryIn medicine, describes a disease or condition that does not respond to treatment.
refractory cancerCancer that does not respond to treatment. The cancer may be resistant at the beginning of treatment or it may become resistant during treatment.
Regenecare(reh-JEH-neh-KAYR) A substance being studied in the treatment of certain types of skin rash and skin pain in cancer patients.
regenerationIn biology, regrowth of damaged or destroyed tissue or body part.
regimenA treatment plan that specifies the dosage, the schedule, and the duration of treatment.
regionalIn oncology, describes the body area right around a tumor.
regional cancerRefers to cancer that has grown beyond the original (primary) tumor to nearby lymph nodes or organs and tissues.
regional chemotherapy(REE-juh-nul KEE-moh-THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment with anticancer drugs directed to a specific area of the body.
regional enteritis(REE-juh-nul EN-teh-RY-tis) Chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, most commonly the small intestine and colon.
regional lymph nodeIn oncology, a lymph node that drains lymph from the region around a tumor.
regional lymph node dissectionA surgical procedure to remove some of the lymph nodes that drain lymph from the area around a tumor.
registered dietitian(...dy-eh-TIH-shun) A health professional with special training in the use of diet and nutrition to keep the body healthy.
Reglan(REG-lun) A drug that increases the motility (movements and contractions) of the stomach and upper intestine.
regressionA decrease in the size of a tumor or in the extent of cancer in the body.
Rehabilitation ServicesHealth care services that help a person keep, get back or improve skills and functioning for daily living that have been lost or impaired because a person…
rehabilitation specialistA healthcare professional who helps people recover from an illness or injury and return to daily life.
Rehabilitative/Rehabilitation ServicesHealth care services that help you keep, get back, or improve skills and functioning for daily living that have been lost or impaired because you were…
ReinsuranceA reimbursement system that protects insurers from very high claims. It usually involves a third party paying part of an insurance company’s claims once…
RelapseThe return of signs and symptoms of cancer after a period of improvement.
relative odds(REH-luh-tiv â¦) A measure of the odds of an event happening in one group compared to the odds of the same event happening in another group.
relative risk(REH-luh-tiv â¦) A measure of the risk of a certain event happening in one group compared to the risk of the same event happening in another…
Relative Survival Rate(REH-luh-tiv ser-VY-vul â¦) A way of comparing survival of people who have a specific disease with those who don't.
relaxation techniqueA method used to reduce tension and anxiety, and control pain.
ReliabilityThe consistency of a measure or question in obtaining very similar or identical results when used repeatedly; for example, if you repeated a blood test…
Relistor(REH-lih-stor) A drug used to relieve certain side effects caused by treatment with opiods (pain killers similar to morphine), such as constipation (hard…
REM sleepOne of the five stages of sleep. During REM sleep, the eyes move rapidly while closed and dreams occur.
RemeronA drug used to treat depression. It belongs to the family of drugs called antidepressant agents. Also called mirtazapine.
remissionA decrease in or disappearance of signs and symptoms of cancer. In partial remission, some, but not all, signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared.
remission induction therapyInitial treatment with anticancer drugs to decrease the signs or symptoms of cancer or make them disappear.
remote brachytherapy(...BRA-kee-THAYR-uh-pee) A type of internal radiation treatment in which the radioactive source is removed between treatments.
renal artery(REE-nal AR-tuh-ree) The main blood vessel that supplies blood to a kidney and its nearby adrenal gland and ureter.
renal capsuleThe fibrous connective tissue that surrounds each kidney.
renal cell cancerThe most common type of kidney cancer. It begins in the lining of the renal tubules in the kidney. The renal tubules filter the blood and produce urine.
renal collecting tubuleThe last part of a long, twisting tube that collects urine from the nephrons (cellular structures in the kidney that filter blood and form urine) and…
Renal Failure(REE-nul 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…
renal fascia(REE-nul FA-shuh) A fibrous envelope of tissue that surrounds the kidney. Also called Gerota's capsule and Gerota's fascia.
renal function test(REE-nul FUNK-shun...) A test in which blood or urine samples are checked for the amounts of certain substances released by the kidneys.
renal glomerulusA tiny, round cluster of blood vessels within the kidneys. It filters the blood to reabsorb useful materials and remove waste as urine.
renal pelvisThe area at the center of the kidney. Urine collects here and is funneled into the ureter, the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder.
Renal ThresholdConcentration of plasma substance above which the substance appears in the urine.
renal tubular acidosis(REE-nul TOO-byoo-ler A-sih-DOH-sis) A rare disorder in which structures in the kidney that filter the blood are impaired, producing urine that is more…
RenovaA topical preparation of tretinoin that is used to treat acne. Tretinoin is a form of vitamin A.
Rental or Royalty IncomeThe amount someone pays you to use your property, after you subtract the expenses you have for the property.
replicateTo make a copy or duplicate of something.
replication cycle(reh-plih-KAY-shun...) In biology, refers to the reproduction cycle of viruses.
report of a diseaseAn official report that notifies an appropriate health authority of the occurrence of a disease in a human, or in an animal.
Reporting DelayThe time elapsed before a diagnosed cancer case is reported to the NCI. Currently, there is a standard delay of 22 months between the end of the diagnosis…
RepresentativeTerm used to indicate that a sample is similar to the population from which it was drawn, and therefore can be used to make inferences about that…
reproductive cellAn egg or sperm cell. Each mature reproductive cell carries a single set of 23 chromosomes.
reproductive system(REE-proh-DUK-tiv SIS-tem) The organs involved in producing offspring. In women, this system includes the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, the uterus (womb)…
Request for Proposals (RFP)An open and competitive process for selecting providers of services (sometimes called RFA or Request for Application).
RescissionThe cancellation, or “tearing-up,” of a contract. Some consumer loans (home mortgages) feature a 3-day right of rescission during which the borrower…
resectable(ree-SEK-tuh-bul) Able to be removed by surgery.
resection(ree-SEK-shun) A procedure that uses surgery to remove tissue or part or all of an organ.
resectoscope(reh-SEK-toh-skope) A thin, tube-like instrument used to remove tissue from inside the body. A resectoscope has a light and lens for viewing.
ReservoirA reservoir of an infectious agent, such as a virus, is any animal, person, plant, soil, substance—or combination of any of these — in which the…
residual diseaseCancer cells that remain after attempts to remove the cancer have been made.
resiquimod(reh-SIH-kwih-mod) A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of skin cancer.
ResistanceThe ability of an organism to develop ways to be impervious to specific threats to their existence.
resistant cancerCancer that does not respond to treatment. The cancer may be resistant at the beginning of treatment, or it may become resistant during treatment.
resorptionA process in which a substance, such as tissue, is lost by being destroyed and then absorbed by the body.
Resource AllocationThe Part A planning council responsibility to assign Ryan White HIV/AIDS Programt amounts or percentages to established priorities across specific service…
respirator(RES-pih-RAY-ter) In medicine, a machine used to help a patient breathe. Also called ventilator.
Respiratory DepressionSlowing of respiration (breathing) that results in the reduced availability of oxygen to vital organs.
respiratory syncytial virus(RES-pih-ruh-TOR-ee sin-SIH-shul VY-rus) A virus that causes respiratory infections with cold-like symptoms. Also called RSV.
respiratory system(RES-pih-ruh-TOR-ee SIS-tem) The organs that are involved in breathing. These include the nose, throat, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs.
respiratory therapist(RES-pih-ruh-TOR-ee THAYR-uh-pist) A health professional trained to evaluate and treat people who have breathing problems or other lung disorders.
respiratory therapy(RES-pih-ruh-TOR-ee THAYR-uh-pee) Exercises and treatments that help improve or restore lung function.
respiratory tract(RES-pih-ruh-TOR-ee trakt) The organs that are involved in breathing. These include the nose, throat, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs.
response(reh-SPONTS) In medicine, an improvement related to treatment.
response rate(reh-SPONTS...) The percentage of patients whose cancer shrinks or disappears after treatment.
Rest PainAn unpleasant sensation associated with actual or potential tissue damage, occurring usually in the extremities during body inactivity while sitting or…
restingIn biology, refers to a cell that is not dividing.
resveratrol(rez-VEER-uh-trol) A substance found in the skins of grapes and in certain other plants, fruits, and seeds.
retch (RECH)The action of the stomach and esophagus to try to vomit (eject some or all of the contents of the stomach).
Retin-AA topical preparation of tretinoin that is used to treat acne. Tretinoin is a form of vitamin A.