vaccineA substance or group of substances meant to cause the immune system to respond to a tumor or to microorganisms, such as bacteria or viruses.
vaccine adjuvantA substance added to a vaccine to improve the immune response so that less vaccine is needed.
vaccine therapy(vak-SEEN THAYR-uh-pee) A type of treatment that uses a substance or group of substances to stimulate the immune system to destroy a tumor or infectious…
vaccinia CEA vaccine(vak-SIN-ee-uh â¦. vak-SEEN) A vaccine made by putting the gene for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) into the vaccinia virus.
vaccinia-TRICOM vaccine(vak-SIH-nee-uhâ¦vak-SEEN) A cancer vaccine made with a form of a vaccinia virus that does not cause disease in humans.
vacuum aspiration(VAK-yoom as-per-AY-shun) A surgical procedure in which the cervix is dilated (opened) and vacuum is used to remove tissue from the uterus.
vagina(vuh-JY-nuh) The muscular canal extending from the uterus to the exterior of the body. Also called birth canal.
vaginal(VA-jih-nul) Having to do with the vagina (the birth canal).
vaginal cancer(VA-jih-nul KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in the tissues of the vagina (birth canal).
vaginectomy(va-jih-NEK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove part or all of the vagina (the birth canal).
valacyclovirA substance that is being studied in the prevention of fungal, bacterial, and viral infections in patients undergoing donor stem cell transplantation with…
valdecoxibA substance that is being studied as a treatment for pain and other side effects of cancer therapy.
valerianA plant whose roots are used as a sedative and to treat certain medical conditions.
Valeriana officinalisA plant whose roots are used as a sedative and to treat certain medical conditions.
Valerianae radixA plant whose roots are used as a sedative and to treat certain medical conditions.
valganciclovirAn antiviral agent that is being studied as a treatment for AIDS-related cytomegalovirus. It is changed in the body to ganciclovir.
Valium(VAL-ee-um) A drug used to treat mild to moderate anxiety and tension and to relax muscles. It is a type of benzodiazepine. Also called diazepam.
valproic acid(val-PROH-ik A-sid) A drug used to treat epileptic seizures and bipolar disorder and to prevent migraine headaches.
valrubicin(val-ROO-bih-SIN) A drug used to treat bladder cancer that does not respond to BCG (Bacillus Calmette Guerin).
Value-Based Purchasing (VBP)Linking provider payments to improved performance by health care providers. This form of payment holds health care providers accountable for both the cost…
vancomycinAn antibiotic drug used to fight resistant bacterial infections.
Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE)Bacteria that are normally present in the human intestines and in the female genital tract and are often found in the environment.
vandetanib(van-DEH-tuh-nib) A substance being studied in the treatment of lung cancer and other types of cancer.
vapreotideA substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called somatostatin analogs.
varenicline tartrate(vuh-REN-ih-klin TAR-trayt) A drug used to help people stop smoking by acting the same way nicotine acts in the brain.
varicose veinA condition in which a vein, most often in the legs, becomes permanently enlarged, twisted, and painful.
VASA tool used to help a person rate the intensity of certain sensations and feelings, such as pain.
vas deferens(VAS DEH-feh-RENZ) A coiled tube that carries the sperm out of the testes.
Vascular ChangesComplications relating to or containing the thickening of blood vessel linings causing decreased blood flow of nutrients through narrowed arteries…
vascular endothelial growth factor(VAS-kyoo-ler EN-doh-THEE-lee-ul grothe FAK-ter) A substance made by cells that stimulates new blood vessel formation. Also called VEGF.
vascular endothelial growth factor trap(VAS-kyoo-ler EN-doh-THEE-lee-ul grothe FAK-ter ...) A substance being studied in the treatment of several types of cancer.
vasectomy(va-SEK-toh-mee) An operation to cut or tie off the two tubes that carry sperm out of the testicles.
vasomotorAffecting the narrowing and widening of the blood vessels.
vatalanibA substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the families of drugs called protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors and VEGF…
VATSStands for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. A surgical procedure performed inside the chest with the help of a camera on a tube.
VB4-845A substance being studied in the treatment of certain types of head and neck cancer.
Vectibix(VEK-tih-bix) A human monoclonal antibody that is being used to treat colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
vectorany living creature that transmits an infectious agent to humans.
Vector competenceThe ability of a vector (e.g., Anopheles mosquitoes) to transmit a disease (e.g., malaria).
Vector-borne transmissionWhen researchers talk about vectors, often they are talking about insects, which as a group of invertebrate animals carry a host of different infectious…
VEGFA substance made by cells that stimulates new blood vessel formation. Also called vascular endothelial growth factor.
VEGF TrapA substance being studied in the treatment of several types of cancer. VEGF Trap blocks the action of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and may…
VEGF-ASA substance being studied in the treatment of Kaposi sarcoma. It is a type of antisense oligonucleotide.
VEGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor(VEGFR TY-ruh-seen KY-nayz in-HIH-bih-ter) A substance that blocks an enzyme needed to form blood vessels.
VEGFR-2 inhibitor CT-322(... in-HIH-bih-ter ...) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. VEGFR-2 inhibitor CT-322 prevents the growth of new blood vessels needed…
Vehicle-borne transmissionIn this situation, a vehicle—that is, an inanimate object or material called in scientific terms a "fomite", becomes contaminated with the infectious…
Vein(vayn) a vessel through which blood passes from various organs or parts back to the heart.
vein (vayn)A blood vessel that carries blood to the heart from tissues and organs in the body.
velafermin(vel-uh-FER-min) A substance that is being studied in the prevention and treatment of oral mucositis (sores in the mouth) in patients receiving high-dose…
Velcade(VEL-kayd) A drug used to treat multiple myeloma that has gotten worse during treatment with other anticancer drugs.
venipunctureThe puncture of a vein with a needle for the purpose of drawing blood. Also called phlebotomy.
venlafaxineAn antidepressant drug that is being evaluated for the treatment of hot flashes in women who have breast cancer.
venography(veh-NAH-gruh-fee) A procedure in which an x-ray of the veins is taken after a special dye is injected into the bone marrow or veins.
venous sampling(VEE-nus...) A procedure in which a sample of blood is taken from a certain vein and checked for specific substances released by nearby organs and tissues.
VentilatorIn medicine, a machine used to help a patient breathe. Also called respirator.
ventricle(VEN-trih-kul) A fluid-filled cavity in the heart or brain.
Vepesid(VEH-peh-sid) A drug used to treat testicular and small cell lung cancers. It is also being studied in the treatment of several other types of cancer.
Versed(ver-SED) A drug used to treat anxiety and tension and to relax muscles. It is also being studied in the treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by some…
vertebral columnThe bones, muscles, tendons, and other tissues that reach from the base of the skull to the tailbone.
VesanoidAn oral preparation of tretinoin that is used to treat acute promyelocytic leukemia, usually together with other drugs.
VHL syndromeA rare inherited disorder in which blood vessels grow abnormally in the eyes, brain, spinal cord, adrenal glands, or other parts of the body.
Viadur(VY-uh-door) A drug used to treat symptoms of advanced prostate cancer. It is also being studied in the treatment of other conditions and types of cancer.
ViagraA drug used to treat erectile dysfunction. Viagra relaxes the smooth muscle of the penis to allow increased blood flow and erection.
Vidaza(Vih-DAY-zuh) A drug that is used to treat myelodysplastic syndromes and is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.
video-assisted resectionSurgery that is aided by the use of a video camera that projects and enlarges the image on a television screen. Also called video-assisted surgery.
video-assisted surgerySurgery that is aided by the use of a video camera that projects and enlarges the image on a television screen. Also called video-assisted resection.
villous adenoma(VIH-lus A-deh-NOH-muh) A type of polyp that grows in the colon and other places in the gastrointestinal tract and sometimes in other parts of the body.
villusA tiny hair-like projection, often on the surface of mucous membranes. The plural is villi.
vinblastineAn anticancer drug that belongs to the family of plant drugs called vinca alkaloids. It is a mitotic inhibitor.
vinca alkaloidA type of drug that blocks cell growth by stopping mitosis (cell division). Vinca alkaloids interfere with microtubules (cellular structures that help…
vincristine(vin-KRIS-teen) The active ingredient in a drug used to treat acute leukemia. It is used in combination with other drugs to treat Hodgkin disease…
vincristine sulfate(vin-KRIS-teen SUL-fayt) A drug used to treat acute leukemia. It is used in combination with other drugs to treat Hodgkin disease, non-Hodgkin lymphoma…
vindesineAn anticancer drug that belongs to the family of plant drugs called vinca alkaloids.
vinflunine(VIN-floo-neen) A substance being studied in the treatment of bladder cancer, lung cancer, and other types of cancer. Also called Javlor.
vinorelbineAn anticancer drug that belongs to the family of plant drugs called vinca alkaloids.
vinyl chloride(VINE-uhl KLOR-ide) A substance used to make plastics. Exposure to vinyl chloride may increase the risk of developing liver, brain, and lung cancers…
Violation of ProtocolDeviation from a precise and detailed therapy for management plan or the study of a biomedical problem.
Vioxx(VY-ox) A drug that was being used for pain relief and was being studied for its ability to prevent cancer and to block the growth of new blood vessels…
Viral LoadIn relation to HIV, the quantity of HIV RNA in the blood. Viral load is used as a predictor of disease progression.
viral oncolysate(VY-rul on-KOL-ih-sate) An extract made from cancer cells that are infected with a strain of virus that can lyse (break down) cancer cells.
viral therapy(VY-rul THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment using a virus that has been changed in the laboratory to find and destroy cancer cells without harming healthy cells.
viral vector(VY-rul VEK-tur) A type of virus used in cancer therapy. The virus is changed in the laboratory and cannot cause disease.
virotherapy(VY-roh-THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment using a virus that has been changed in the laboratory to find and destroy cancer cells without harming healthy cells.
virtual colonoscopy(...KOH-luh-NOS-koh-pee) A method under study to examine the colon by taking a series of x-rays (called a CT scan) and using a high-powered computer to…
virulenceThe ability of a microorganism to cause damage to its host.
virulentRefers to the ability of a virus or a bacterium to cause damage to its host.
VirulizinA substance that activates some types of immune system cells, and is being studied as a treatment for cancer.
Virus(VY-rus) In medicine, a very simple microorganism that infects cells and may cause disease.
virus replication cycle(VY-rus reh-plih-KAY-shun...) The reproduction cycle of viruses. A replication cycle begins with the infection of a host cell and ends with the release of…
virus-neutralizing antibody(VY-rus-NOO-truh-lize-ing AN-tih-BAH-dee) An antibody that binds to a virus and interferes with its ability to infect a cell.
visceraThe soft internal organs of the body, including the lungs, the heart, and the organs of the digestive, excretory, and reproductive systems.
visceralHaving to do with the viscera, which are the soft internal organs of the body, including the lungs, the heart, and the organs of the digestive, excretory…
visceral peritoneum(VIH-suh-rul PAYR-ih-toh-NEE-um) The layers of tissue that cover the outer surface of most organs in the abdomen, including the intestines.
viscotoxin(VIS-koh-TOK-sin) A member of a group of small proteins produced by mistletoe plants that are able to kill cells and may stimulate the immune system.