SensitivityWhen referring to a medical test, sensitivity refers to the percentage of people who test positive for a specific disease among a group of people who have…
sensorA device that responds to a stimulus, such as heat, light, or pressure, and generates a signal that can be measured or interpreted.
Sensorcaine(SEN-sor-kane) A drug used to relieve pain by blocking signals at nerve endings. It is being studied in the relief of pain following surgery for cancer.
Sentinel Lymph NodeThe first lymph node to which cancer is likely to spread from the primary tumor.
sentinel lymph node biopsyRemoval and examination of the sentinel node(s) (the first lymph node(s) to which cancer cells are likely to spread from a primary tumor).
sentinel lymph node mappingThe use of dyes and radioactive substances to identify the first lymph node to which cancer is likely to spread from the primary tumor.
seocalcitolA substance that is being studied as a treatment for cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called vitamin D analogs.
sepsis(SEP-sis) The presence of bacteria or their toxins in the blood or tissues.
septate(SEP-tate) An organ or structure that is divided into compartments.
septicemiaDisease caused by the spread of bacteria and their toxins in the bloodstream. Also called blood poisoning and toxemia.
SequelaeMorbid conditions following as a consequence of a disease.
SERMA drug that acts like estrogen on some tissues but blocks the effect of estrogen on other tissues. Tamoxifen and raloxifene are SERMs.
SeroconversionThe development of detectable antibodies to HIV in the blood as a result of infection.
SerologyThe branch of science dealing with the measurement and characterization of antibodies and other immunological substances in body fluids, particularly…
Seromycin(SAYR-oh-MY-sin) A drug used to treat tuberculosis. It is also being studied in the treatment of pain and nerve problems (numbness, tingling) caused by…
SeroprevalenceThe number of persons in a defined population who test HIV-positive based on HIV testing of blood specimens.
serosa(seh-ROH-suh) The outer lining of organs and body cavities of the abdomen and chest, including the stomach. Also called serous membrane.
serotoninA hormone found in the brain, platelets, digestive tract, and pineal gland. It acts both as a neurotransmitter (a substance that nerves use to send…
serous(SEER-us) Having to do with serum, the clear liquid part of blood.
serous membraneThe outer lining of organs and body cavities of the abdomen and chest, including the stomach. Also called serosa.
Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor of the ovary(ser-TOH-lee LY-dig sel TOO-mer...OH-vuh-ree) A rare type of ovarian tumor in which the tumor cells secrete a male sex hormone.
sertralineA drug used to treat depression. It is a type of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Also called Zoloft.
serumThe clear liquid part of the blood that remains after blood cells and clotting proteins have been removed.
serum albuminThe main protein in blood plasma. Low levels of serum albumin occur in people with malnutrition, inflammation, and serious liver and kidney disease.
serum glutamate pyruvate transaminaseAn enzyme found in the liver and other tissues. A high level of serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase released into the blood may be a sign of liver…
serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminaseAn enzyme found in the liver, heart, and other tissues. A high level of serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase released into the blood may be a sign of…
serum tumor marker testA blood test that measures the amount of substances called tumor markers (or biomarkers).
Service AreaA geographic area where a health insurance plan accepts members if it limits membership based on where people live.
Service GapsAll the service needs of all PLWH except for the need for primary health care for individuals who know their status but are not in care.
SerzoneA drug used to treat depression. It belongs to the family of drugs called antidepressant agents. Also called nefazodone.
sesquiterpene lactoneA substance found in some plants. Sesquiterpene lactones may have anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects.
sestamibi breast imagingA 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…
sestamibi scan(SES-tuh-MIH-bee...) An imaging test used to find overactive parathyroid glands (four pea-sized glands found on the thyroid) and breast cancer cells, and…
severe combined immunodeficiency disease(seh-VEER kum-BIND IH-myoo-noh-deh-FIH-shun-see dih-ZEEZ) A rare, inherited disease that is marked by a lack of B lymphocytes (white blood cells that make…
Severe HypoglycemiaInsulin reaction symptoms consistent with hypoglycemia that could not be treated by the person with diabetes alone, but required the attention and…
severe myelosuppression(... MY-eh-loh-suh-PREH-shun) A severe form of myelosuppression. Myelosuppression is a condition in which bone marrow activity is decreased, resulting in…
sexuality(SEK-shoo-A-lih-tee) A person's behaviors, desires, and attitudes related to sex and physical intimacy with others.
Sezary syndrome(say-zah-REE SIN-drome) A form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, a cancerous disease that affects the skin.
SGN-00101A substance that is being studied in the prevention of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called fusion proteins.
SGN-15A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It combines a monoclonal antibody with the anticancer drug doxorubicin.
SGN-30A monoclonal antibody that binds to cells that have the CD30 antigen on their surface, including Hodgkin disease cells and cells from anaplastic large…
SGN-40A monoclonal antibody that binds to cells that have the CD40 antigen on their surface, including cells from multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and…
SGOTAn enzyme found in the liver, heart, and other tissues. A high level of SGOT released into the blood may be a sign of liver or heart damage, cancer, or…
SGPTAn enzyme found in the liver and other tissues. A high level of SGPT released into the blood may be a sign of liver damage, cancer, or other diseases.
sham therapy(...THAYR-uh-pee) An inactive treatment or procedure that is intended to mimic as closely as possible a therapy in a clinical trial.
shave biopsy(BY-ahp-see) A procedure in which a skin abnormality and a thin layer of surrounding skin are removed with a small blade for examination under a…
sheep sorrelA plant that has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems. It may have anticancer effects. The scientific name is Rumex acetosella .
Sheridan's FormulaA liquid that has been promoted as a treatment for a wide range of diseases, including cancer.
shiitake mushroom(shee-TAH-kee ...) A dark oriental mushroom widely used as a food. Several anticancer substances have been found in shiitake mushrooms, including…
shinboneThe larger of two bones between the knee and ankle. Also called tibia.
Sho-saiko-toA Japanese formulation of seven Chinese herbs that is being studied as a treatment for cancer.
shuntIn medicine, a passage that is made to allow blood or other fluid to move from one part of the body to another.
sialic acid(sy-A-lik A-sid) Any of a group of simple sugar molecules.
sialyl Tn-KLHA vaccine composed of a substance that enhances immunity plus an antigen found on some tumors of the colon, breast, lung, ovary, pancreas, and stomach.
Sibling(SIB-ling) A person's brother or sister who has the same parents.
sickle cell anemia(SIH-kul sel uh-NEE-mee-uh) An inherited disease in which the red blood cells have an abnormal crescent shape, block small blood vessels, and do not last…
sickle cell disease(SIH-kul sel dih-ZEEZ) An inherited disease in which the red blood cells have an abnormal crescent shape, block small blood vessels, and do not last as…
side effectAn effect of a drug, chemical, or other medicine that is in addition to its intended effect, especially an effect that is harmful or unpleasant.
side-to-end coloanal anastomosisA surgical procedure in which the side of the colon is attached to the anus after the rectum has been removed.
sideropenic dysphagiaA disorder marked by anemia caused by iron deficiency, and a web-like growth of membranes in the throat that makes swallowing difficult.
SIDSThe sudden and unexpected death of a healthy child who is younger than one year old, usually during sleep. The cause of SIDS is not known.
sigmoid colon(SIG-moyd KO-lun) The S-shaped section of the colon that connects to the rectum.
Sigmoidoscope(sig-MOY-doh-skope) A thin, tube-like instrument used to examine the inside of the colon.
sigmoidoscopy(sig-MOY-DOS-koh-pee) Examination of the lower colon using a sigmoidoscope, inserted into the rectum.
signal transduction(SIG-nul trans-DUK-shun) The process by which a cell responds to substances in its environment.
signal transduction inhibitorA drug that may prevent the ability of cancer cells to multiply quickly and invade other tissues.
signaling pathway(SIG-nuh-ling â¦) A series of specific actions in a cell in which a signal is passed from one molecule to the next in the series.
signature molecule(SIG-nuh-cher MAH-leh-kyool) A biological molecule found in blood, other body fluids, or tissues that is a sign of a normal or abnormal process, or of a…
signet ring cell carcinomaA highly malignant type of cancer typically found in glandular cells that line the digestive organs.
significantIn statistics, describes a mathematical measure of difference between groups. The difference is said to be significant if it is greater than what might be…
SILA general term for the abnormal growth of squamous cells on the surface of the cervix.
sildenafilA drug used to treat erectile dysfunction. Sildenafil relaxes the smooth muscle of the penis to allow increased blood flow and erection.
silica(SILL-uh-kuh): A substance found in rocks, sand, and quartz as well as some workplaces.
silicon phthalocyanine 4(SIH-lih-KON THAH-loh-SY-uh-NEEN) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer.
siliconeA synthetic gel that is used as an outer coating on breast implants and as the inside filling of some implants.
Silybum marianumA plant that has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems, including stomach, liver, and gallbladder disorders.
silymarinA substance obtained from milk thistle seeds that is being studied in the prevention of liver damage caused by certain cancer treatments.
simian virus 40(SIH-mee-un VY-rusâ¦) A virus that infects some types of monkeys. It may also infect humans, and was found in some polio vaccines tested in the…
simple mastectomy(SIM-pul ma-STEK-toh-mee) Removal of the breast. Also called total mastectomy.
simple nephrectomy(SIM-pul neh-FREK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove one kidney.
simple vulvectomy(SIM-pul vul-VEK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove the entire vulva (the external female genital organs, including the clitoris, vaginal lips, and the opening to…
SimulationIn cancer treatment, a process used to plan radiation therapy so that the target area is precisely located and marked.
single blind studyA type of clinical trial in which only the doctor knows whether a patient is taking the standard treatment or the new treatment being tested.
single nucleotide polymorphism(... NOO-klee-oh-TIDE PAH-lee-MOR-fih-zum) The most common type of change in DNA (molecules inside cells that carry genetic information).
single-photon emission computed tomography(SIN-gul-FOH-ton ee-MIH-shun kum-PYOO-ted toh-MAH-gruh-fee) A special type of computed tomography (CT) scan in which a small amount of a radioactive drug…
Singulair(SING-yoo-layr) A drug used to treat symptoms of asthma, such as trouble breathing, tight chest, wheezing, coughing, and runny nose.
siplizumabA monoclonal antibody that is being studied in the treatment of certain lymphoproliferative disorders and psoriasis. Also called MEDI-507.
Sipuleucel-T(SY-puh-LOO-sel...) A vaccine made from immune system cells collected from a patient with prostate cancer.
sirolimus(sir-OH-lih-mus) A drug used to prevent the rejection of organ and bone marrow transplants by the body.
SIRSA serious condition in which there is inflammation throughout the whole body. It may be caused by a severe bacterial infection (sepsis), trauma, or…
SJG-136A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called DNA cross-linking agents.
Sjögren syndrome(SHOH-grin SIN-drome) An autoimmune disease that affects the tear glands and salivary glands, and may affect glands in the stomach, pancreas, and…
SK&F106615A substance being studied in the treatment of certain multiple myelomas and other advanced cancers.
skeletal(SKEH-leh-tul) Having to do with the skeleton (bones of the body).
skeletonThe framework that supports the soft tissues of vertebrate animals and protects many of their internal organs.
Skilled Nursing CareServices from licensed nurses in your own home or in a nursing home. Skilled care services are from technicians and therapists in your own home or in a…