Standard Precautions/Universal PrecautionsPrecautions used in a medical facility that involve “protection as needed” to implement infection control and to protect the medical team and the…
standard therapy(...THAYR-uh-pee) In medicine, treatment that experts agree is appropriate, accepted, and widely used.
Standardized Infection Ratio (SIR)Number of cases of infections developed in a hospital divided by the number of infections both in and out of a hospital.
starchA substance found in plants. It contains sugar molecules joined chemically. It is found in high levels in foods such as potatoes, rice, corn, and wheat.
State Continuation CoverageA state-based requirement similar to COBRA that applies to group health insurance policies of employers with fewer than 20 employees.
State Insurance DepartmentA state agency that regulates insurance and can provide information about health coverage in its state.
State Medical Assistance OfficeA state agency in charge of the state's Medicaid program and can give information about programs in its state that help pay medical bills for people with…
Statewide Coordinated Statement of Need (SCSN)A written statement of need for the entire State developed through a process designed to collaboratively identify significant HIV issues and maximize Ryan…
statin(STA-tin) Any of a group of drugs that lower the amount of cholesterol and certain fats in the blood.
Statistically SignificantDescribes a mathematical measure of difference between groups. The difference is said to be statistically significant if it is greater than what might be…
staurosporineA drug that belongs to the family of drugs called alkaloids. It is being studied in the treatment of cancer.
stavudineA drug that belongs to the family of drugs called nucleoside analogs. It is used to treat infection caused by viruses.
Stem cellA cell from which other types of cells develop. For example, blood cells develop from blood-forming stem cells.
stem cell factorA drug being studied for its ability to increase the number of stem cells in the blood. It is a type of hematopoietic cell growth factor.
stem cell transplantation(stem sel tranz-plan-TAY-shun) A method of replacing immature blood-forming cells that were destroyed by cancer treatment.
StemgenA drug being studied for its ability to increase the number of stem cells in the blood. It is a type of hematopoietic cell growth factor.
stentA device placed in a body structure (such as a blood vessel or the gastrointestinal tract) to keep the structure open.
Stereotactic(ster"ee-oh-tak'tik) characterized by precise positioning in space.
stereotactic biopsy(STAYR-ee-oh-TAK-tik BY-op-see) A biopsy procedure that uses a computer and a 3-dimensional scanning device to find a tumor site and guide the removal of…
stereotactic body radiation therapy(STAYR-ee-oh-TAK-tik BAH-dee RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee) A type of external radiation therapy that uses special equipment to position a patient and…
stereotactic external-beam radiation therapy(STAYR-ee-oh-TAK-tik ... RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee) A type of external radiation therapy that uses special equipment to position the patient and…
stereotactic injectionA procedure in which a computer and a 3-dimensional scanning device are used to inject anticancer drugs directly into a tumor.
stereotactic radiation therapy(STAYR-ee-oh-TAK-tik RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee) A type of external radiation therapy that uses special equipment to position the patient and precisely…
stereotactic radiosurgery(STAYR-ee-oh-TAK-tik RAY-dee-oh-SER-juh-ree) A type of external radiation therapy that uses special equipment to position the patient and precisely give a…
stereotaxic radiation therapy(STAYR-ee-oh-TAK-sik RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee) A type of external radiation therapy that uses special equipment to position the patient and precisely…
stereotaxic radiosurgery(STAYR-ee-oh-TAK-sik RAY-dee-oh-SER-jeh-ree) A type of external radiation therapy that uses special equipment to position the patient and precisely give a…
stereotaxis(STAYR-ee-oh-TAX-iss) Use of a computer and scanning devices to create 3-dimensional pictures.
sterile(STER-il) Unable to produce children. Also means free from germs.
sterile talc powder(STER-il...) A mineral, usually used in a powdered form. In cancer treatment, sterile talc powder is used to prevent pleural effusions (an abnormal…
sternumThe long flat bone that forms the center front of the chest wall. The sternum is attached to the collarbone and the first seven ribs.
steroid(STAYR-oyd) Any of a group of lipids (fats) that have a certain chemical structure.
steroid cream(STAYR-oyd...) A skin cream containing a type of drug that relieves swelling, itching, and inflammation.
steroid drug(STAYR-oyd) A type of drug used to relieve swelling and inflammation. Some steroid drugs may also have antitumor effects.
steroid metabolism gene(STAYR-oyd meh-TA-buh-lih-zum JEEN) A type of gene that helps the body build up or break down steroids.
steroid therapy(STAYR-oyd THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment with corticosteroid drugs to reduce swelling, pain, and other symptoms of inflammation.
STI571A drug used to treat different types of leukemia and other cancers of the blood, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, skin tumors called dermatofibrosarcoma…
stimulant(STIM-yoo-lunt) In medicine, a family of drugs used to treat depression, attention-deficit disorder (a common disorder in which children are inattentive…
StimulantsA class of drugs that enhances the activity of monamines (such as dopamine) in the brain, increasing arousal, heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration…
stoma(STOH-muh) A surgically created opening from an area inside the body to the outside.
stomach(STUH-muk) An organ that is part of the digestive system. The stomach helps digest food by mixing it with digestive juices and churning it into a thin…
stomach cancer(STUH-muk KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in tissues lining the stomach. Also called gastric cancer.
stomatitisInflammation or irritation of the mucous membranes in the mouth.
StoolThe material in a bowel movement. Stool is made up of food that was not digested, bacteria, mucus, and cells from the intestines. Also called feces.
Stool testA test to check for hidden blood in the bowel movement.
Stop-LossAn insurer may pay 100% of covered benefit charges after you have met your deductible and coinsurance requirements, and your out-of-pocket maximum.
StrengthThe strength of a drug product tells how much of the active ingredient is present in each dosage.
streptavidinA small bacterial protein that binds with high affinity to the vitamin biotin. This streptavidin-biotin combination can be used to link molecules such as…
streptozocinAn anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called alkylating agents.
StressThe response of the body to physical, mental, or emotional pressure. This may make a person feel frustrated, angry, or anxious, and may cause unhealthy…
stress protein(... PROH-teen) One of a group of proteins that help protect cells from stresses such as heat, cold, and low amounts of oxygen or glucose (sugar).
Strict IsolationDesigned to prevent transmission of highly contagious or virulent infections that may be spread by air or contact.
strokeIn medicine, a loss of blood flow to part of the brain, which damages brain tissue.
Stroma(stro' mah) the supporting tissue or matrix of an organ; as distinguished from the functional part of the organ.
Stromagen(stroh-MUH-jen) A product that is made of special stem cells taken from a patient's bone marrow and grown in the laboratory.
Stromal cell(STROH-mul SEL) A type of cell that makes up certain types of connective tissue (supporting tissue that surrounds other tissues and organs).
stromal tumor(STRO-mal) A tumor that arises in the supporting connective tissue of an organ.
strontiumA metal often used in a radioactive form for imaging tests and in the treatment of cancer.
strontium chloride Sr 89(STRON-shee-um KLOR-ide â¦) A salt form of the radioactive metal strontium-89 that is absorbed by a part of growing bone.
strontium ranelate(STRON-chee-um RAN-uh-layt) A substance that is being studied in the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
strontium-89(STRON-shee-umâ¦) A radioactive form of the metal strontium that is taken up by a part of growing bone.
study agentA medicine, vitamin, mineral, food supplement, or a combination of them that is being tested in a clinical trial.
StuporMarked by a cessation of mental activity or feeling, often produced by sleepiness, illness, or the effect or alcohol, or narcotics.
Sturge-Weber syndromeA rare, congenital disorder that affects the brain, skin, and eyes. Abnormal blood vessel growth occurs in the trigeminal nerve in the face and the…
SU006668A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the families of drugs called protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors and…
SU011248A drug used to treat gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) that have not responded to treatment with imatinib mesylate (Gleevec).
SU101An anticancer drug that works by inhibiting a cancer cell growth factor. Also called leflunomide.
SU11248A drug used to treat gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) that have not responded to treatment with imatinib mesylate (Gleevec).
SU5416A substance that has been studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the families of drugs called angiogenesis inhibitors and tyrosine kinase…
SU6668A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the families of drugs called protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors and…
subcutaneous portA tube surgically placed into a blood vessel and attached to a disk placed under the skin.
subependymal(SUB-eh-PEN-dih-mul) Describes the layer of cells just under the ependyma (the thin membrane that lines the fluid-filled spaces in the brain and spinal…
suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid(SOO-ber-oyl-AN-ih-lide hy-drok-SA-mik A-sid) A drug that is used to treat cutaneous T-cell lymphoma that does not get better, gets worse, or comes back…
subglottis(SUB-glot-is) The lowest part of the larynx; the area from just below the vocal cords down to the top of the trachea.
subjective improvementAn improvement that is reported by the patient, but cannot be measured by the healthcare provider (for example, "I feel better").
submucosa(sub-myoo-KOH-suh) The layer of tissue under the mucosa (inner lining of some organs and body cavities that makes mucus).
subserosa(sub-seh-ROH-suh) The layer of tissue under the serosa (outer lining of some organs and body cavities).
subset analysisIn a clinical study, the evaluation of results for some but not all of the patients who participated.
Subsidized CoverageHealth coverage that's obtained through financial assistance from programs to help people with low and middle incomes.
substance abuse(SUB-stunts uh-BYOOS) The use of illegal drugs or the use of prescription or over-the-counter drugs or alcohol for purposes other than those for which…
subtenonUsed to describe injections through the membrane covering the muscles and nerves at the back of the eyeball.
subtotal hysterectomy(sub-TOH-tul HIS-teh-REK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove the uterus, but not the cervix. Also called partial hysterectomy.
sucralfateA drug used to treat ulcers. It adheres to proteins at the ulcer site and forms a protective coating over the ulcer.
suction aspiration(SUK-shun as-per-AY-shun) A surgical procedure in which the cervix is dilated (opened) and vacuum is used to remove tissue from the uterus.
suction evacuation(SUK-shun ee-VA-kyoo-A-shun) A surgical procedure in which the cervix is dilated (opened) and vacuum is used to remove tissue from the uterus.
sudden infant death syndrome(â¦SIN-drome) The sudden and unexpected death of a healthy child who is younger than one year old, usually during sleep.