chronic phase chronic myelogenous leukemia(KRAH-nik FAYZ KRAH-nik MY-eh-LAH-jeh-nus loo-KEE-mee-uh) A phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia in which fewer than 10% of the cells in the blood and…
CHS 828A drug that is being studied in the treatment of solid tumors.
CI-1033A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. CI-1033 blocks the action of proteins called epidermal growth factor receptors, and…
CI-958A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. CI-958 binds to DNA and stops cells, including cancer cells, from repairing damage to…
CI-980An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called mitotic inhibitors. Also called mivobulin isethionate.
CI-994A substance being studied in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Also called N-acetyldinaline.
cidofovirA drug used in the treatment of infections caused by viruses.
cilengitideA substance that is being studied as an anticancer and antiangiogenesis drug. Also called EMD 121974.
ciliary body(SIH-lee-ayr-ee ...) A part of the middle layer of the wall of the eye. The ciliary body includes the ring-shaped muscle that changes the size of the…
cimetidineA drug usually used to treat stomach ulcers and heartburn. It is also commonly used in a regimen to prevent allergic reactions.
CINGrowth of abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix. Numbers from 1 to 3 may be used to describe how abnormal the cells are and how much of the cervical…
CIN 1A condition in which slightly abnormal cells grow on the thin layer of tissue that covers the cervix.
CIN 2A condition in which moderately abnormal cells grow on the thin layer of tissue that covers the cervix.
CIN 2/3A condition in which abnormal cells grow on the thin layer of tissue that covers the cervix (the lower, narrow end of the uterus).
CIN 3Abnormal cells are found in the cervical epithelium (the innermost lining of the cervix).
CinchonismSide effects from quinine or quinidine. Includes tinnitus, headache, nausea, diarrhea, altered auditory acuity, and blurred vision.
CiproA drug that is used to treat infections caused by bacteria and is being studied in the treatment of bladder cancer. Cipro is a type of fluoroquinolone.
ciprofloxacin(sip-roe-FLOX-a-sin) A drug that is used to treat infections caused by bacteria and is being studied in the treatment of bladder cancer.
Circulation(ser-kyoo-LAY-shun) In the body, the flow of blood through the heart and blood vessels, and the flow of lymph through the lymph vessels.
circulatory system(SER-kyoo-lah-tor-ee SIS-tem) The system that contains the heart and the blood vessels and moves blood throughout the body.
circumcision(SUR-kum-SIH-zhun) Surgery to remove part or all of the foreskin (loose skin that covers the head of the penis).
cirrhosisA type of chronic, progressive liver disease in which liver cells are replaced by scar tissue.
CISThe CIS is the National Cancer Institute's link to the public, interpreting and explaining research findings in a clear and understandable manner, and…
cisplatin(sis-PLA-tin) A drug used to treat many types of cancer. Cisplatin contains the metal platinum.
citalopram(sy-TAL-oh-pram) A drug used to treat depression. It belongs to the families of drugs called antidepressant agents and selective serotonin reuptake…
citric acid/potassium-sodium citrate(SIH-trik A-sid/poh-TAH-see-um-SOH-dee-um SIH-trayt) A drug used in the treatment of metabolic acidosis (a disorder in which the blood is too acidic).
Citrovorum factor(sih-troh-VOR-um FAK-ter) The active ingredient in a drug used to reduce the toxic effects of folic acid antagonists (substances that block the action of…
cladribineAn anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called antimetabolites.
ClaimYour request for the insurance company to pay you an amount under the terms of your policy.
clarithromycinAn antibiotic drug used in the treatment of infections. It belongs to the family of drugs called macrolides.
classical Hodgkin lymphoma(KLA-sih-kul HOJ-kin lim-FOH-muh) The most common type of Hodgkin lymphoma, which is a cancer of the immune system.
ClaudicationA condition caused by a local and temporary deficiency of blood to the muscles due to narrowing (sclerosis) of the arteries (Peripheral Artery Disease)…
Claus modelA computer program that uses statistics to predict a person's risk for developing breast cancer based on family history.
clear cell (kleer sel)A type of cell that looks clear inside when viewed under a microscope.
clear cell adenocarcinoma(kleer sel A-den-oh-KAR-sih-NOH-muh) A rare type of tumor, usually of the female genital tract, in which the insides of the cells look clear when viewed…
clear cell carcinoma(kleer sel KAR-sih-NOH-muh) A rare type of tumor, usually of the female genital tract, in which the insides of the cells look clear when viewed under a…
clear cell sarcoma of the kidney(kleer sel sar-KOH-muh ...KID-nee) A rare type of kidney cancer, in which the inside of the cells look clear when viewed under a microscope.
cleavedHaving to do with the appearance of cells when viewed under a microscope. The nucleus of cleaved cells appears divided or segmented.
clergy(KLUR-jee) Ordained individuals who perform spiritual and/or religious functions.
ClindamycinAn antibiotic that can be used for the treatment of malaria in combination with a second drug, usually quinine or quinidine.
ClinicA facility, often associated with a hospital or medical school, that is devoted to the diagnosis and care of outpatients.
ClinicalHaving to do with the examination and treatment of patients.
clinical breast examAn exam of the breast performed by a health care provider to check for lumps or other changes.
Clinical cureElimination of malaria symptoms, sometimes without eliminating all parasites. See "radical cure" and "suppressive cure/treatment."
clinical practice guidelinesGuidelines developed to help health care professionals and patients make decisions about screening, prevention, or treatment of a specific health…
clinical researcher(KLIH-nih-kul reh-SER-cher) A health professional who works directly with patients, or uses data from patients, to do research on health and disease and…
clinical seriesA case series in which the patients receive treatment in a clinic or other medical facility.
clinical studyA type of research study that tests how well new medical approaches work in people.
clinical trialA type of research study that tests how well new medical approaches work in people.
clinician(klih-NIH-shun) A health professional who takes care of patients.
CLLA slow-growing type of leukemia (blood cancer) in which too many lymphoblasts (immature white blood cells) are found in the blood and bone marrow.
clodronateA drug used in the treatment of hypercalcemia (abnormally high levels of calcium in the blood) and cancer that has spread to the bone (bone metastases).
clofarabine(kloh-FAYR-uh-been) A drug used to treat certain types of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children.
Clolar(KLOH-lar) A drug used to treat certain types of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children.
Clostridium Difficile(klah-STRIH-dee-um dih-FIS-ih-lee) A type of bacterium found in human and animal waste.
Clostridium Difficile InfectionA bacterium that is one of the most common causes of infection of the colon in the US. Patients taking antibiotics are at risk of becoming infected with C.
CMLA slowly progressing disease in which too many white blood cells (not lymphocytes) are made in the bone marrow.
CMMLA slowly progressing type of myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative disease in which too many myelomonocytes (a type of white blood cell) are in the bone…
CMVA virus that may be carried in an inactive state for life by healthy individuals.
cnicin(NIH-sin) A substance found in certain plants, including blessed thistle. It has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems.
CNSThe brain and spinal cord. Also called central nervous system.
CNS DepressantsA class of drugs that slow CNS function (also called sedatives and tranquilizers), some of which are used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders; includes…
CNS metastasis(...meh-TAS-tuh-sis) Cancer that has spread from the original (primary) tumor to the central nervous system (CNS).
CNS PNETA type of cancer that arises from a particular type of cell within the brain or spinal cord.
CNS prophylaxis(...pro-fih-LAK-sis) Chemotherapy or radiation therapy given to the central nervous system (CNS) as a preventive treatment.
CNS sanctuary therapy(...SANK-choo-wayr-ee THAYR-uh-pee) Chemotherapy or radiation therapy given to the central nervous system (CNS) as a preventive treatment.
CNS tumorA tumor of the central nervous system (CNS), including brain stem glioma, craniopharyngioma, medulloblastoma, and meningioma.
CNTO 328A chimeric (made from human and mouse proteins) monoclonal antibody being studied in the treatment of advanced kidney cancer and other types of cancer.
co-cultureA mixture of two or more different kinds of cells that are grown together.
Co-InsuranceAfter you have met the deductible for the covered period of time, your health policy may have a “co-insurance” that provides the patient will be…
Co-morbidityThe presence of one or more diseases or disorders in addition to a primary disease or disorder.
Co-opA non-profit organization in which the same people who own the company are insured by the company.
Co-payA “co-pay” is a fixed payment amount that is the responsibility of the patient.
Co-paymentThe portion of charges you pay to your provider for covered health care services in addition to any deductible.
co-trimoxazoleA drug used in the treatment of infections caused by bacteria and protozoa. It is a combination of two anti-infection drugs, sulfamethoxazole and…
coactivated T cellA T cell that has been coated with monoclonal antibodies to enhance its ability to kill tumor cells.
cobalamin(koh-BAL-uh-min) A vitamin that is needed to make red blood cells and DNA (the genetic material in cells) and to keep nerve cells healthy.
cobalt 60A radioactive form of the metal cobalt, which is used as a source of radiation to treat cancer.
COBRAA Federal law that may allow you to temporarily keep health coverage after your employment ends, you lose coverage as a dependent of the covered employee…
COBRA coverageCongress passed the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) health benefit provisions in 1986.
coccyx(KOK-six) The small bone at the bottom of the spine. It is made up of 3-5 fused bones. Also called tailbone.
Cockayne syndromeA genetic condition characterized by short stature, premature aging, sensitivity to light, and possibly deafness and mental retardation.
codeine(KOH-deen) A drug made from opium or morphine that is used to relieve pain and to prevent coughing and diarrhea. Codeine is a type of opiate.
codeine phosphate(KOH-deen FOS-fayt) A drug made from opium or morphine that is used to relieve pain and to prevent coughing and diarrhea.
coenzyme Q10A substance found in most tissues in the body, and in many foods. It can also be made in the laboratory.
coffee enema(KAW-fee EH-nuh-muh) The injection of coffee through the anus into the colon (large intestine).
cognition(kog-NIH-shun) The mental process of thinking, learning, remembering, being aware of surroundings, and using judgment.
cohort(koh-HORT) A group of individuals who share a common trait, such as birth year.
cohort studyA research study that compares a particular outcome (such as lung cancer) in groups of individuals who are alike in many ways but differ by a certain…
CoinsuranceWhen your healthcare insurance has a coinsurance provision, you and your insurer divide the responsibility for paying doctor and hospital bills by…
COL-3A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. COL-3 may block tumor growth by preventing the growth of new blood vessels needed for tumors to grow.
COL18A1A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. COL18A1 is made from a type of collagen (a protein found in cartilage and other connective tissue).
cold noduleWhen radioactive material is used to examine the thyroid with a scanner, nodules that collect less radioactive material than the surrounding thyroid…
colectomy(koh-LEK-toh-mee) An operation to remove all or part of the colon. When only part of the colon is removed, it is called a partial colectomy.
CollaborationPeople or groups working together to achieve a common goal.
Collaborative Staging AlgorithmA joint effort by several organizations to develop standard computerized methods for determining the stage of cancer based on tumor size, extension of the…