contiguous lymphoma(kun-TIG-yoo-us lim-FOH-muh) Lymphoma in which the lymph nodes containing cancer are next to each other.
continent reservoir(KAHN-tih-nent RES-er-vwar) A pouch formed from a piece of small intestine to hold urine after the bladder has been removed.
contingency managementIn medicine, a treatment plan that gives immediate rewards for desired changes in behavior.
continuous hyperthermic peritoneal perfusion(kon-TIN-yoo-us HY-per-THER-mik PAYR-ih-toh-NEE-ul per-FYOO-zhun) A procedure that bathes the abdominal cavity in fluid that contains anticancer drugs.
continuous infusion(kon-TIN-yoo-us in-FYOO-zhun) The administration of a fluid into a blood vessel, usually over a prolonged period of time.
Continuous Quality ImprovementAn ongoing process that involves organization members in monitoring and evaluating programs to continuously improve service delivery.
Continuum of Care(kon-TIN-yoo-um â¦) In medicine, describes the delivery of health care over a period of time.
contraindicationA symptom or medical condition that makes a particular treatment or procedure inadvisable because a person is likely to have a bad reaction.
contraindications(con'truh in dih ca" shuns) reasons not to take a drug or undergo a treatment.
contralateralHaving to do with the opposite side of the body.
contrast materialA dye or other substance that helps show abnormal areas inside the body. It is given by injection into a vein, by enema, or by mouth.
control animalAn animal in a study that does not receive the treatment being tested. Comparing the health of control animals with the health of treated animals allows…
control groupIn a clinical trial, the group that does not receive the new treatment being studied.
controlled clinical trialA clinical study that includes a comparison (control) group. The comparison group receives a placebo, another treatment, or no treatment at all.
controlled low-voltage electrical stimulation(kun-TROLD loh VOLE-tij ee-LEK-trih-kul STIM-yoo-LAY-shun) A technique in which mild electric currents are applied to some areas of the skin by a small…
controlled studyAn experiment or clinical trial that includes a comparison (control) group.
conventional medicine(kun-VEN-shuh-nul MEH-dih-sin) A system in which medical doctors and other healthcare professionals (such as nurses, pharmacists, and therapists) treat…
conventional therapy(kun-VEN-shuh-nul THAYR-uh-pee) A currently accepted and widely used treatment for a certain type of disease, based on the results of past research.
conventional treatmentA currently accepted and widely used treatment for a certain type of disease, based on the results of past research. Also called conventional therapy.
ConversionThe ability, in some states, to switch your job-based coverage to an individual policy when you lose eligibility for job-based coverage.
Coomb's testA laboratory test to identify antibodies that can bind to the surface of red blood cells or platelets and destroy them.
Coordination of BenefitsA way to figure out who pays first when 2 or more health insurance plans are responsible for paying the same medical claim.
CopaymentIf you have a managed-care health insurance plan, your copayment is the fixed amount you pay - often $10 to $25 - for each in-network doctor's office…
COPDA type of lung disease marked by permanent damage to tissues in the lungs, making it hard to breathe.
cope (kope)To adjust to new situations and overcome problems.
coping skills(KOH-ping skilz) The methods a person uses to deal with stressful situations. These may help a person face a situation, take action, and be flexible and…
copolymer(KOH-pah-lih-mer) A molecule made up of two or more different kinds of small molecules called monomers.
CoQ10A substance found in most tissues in the body, and in many foods. It can also be made in the laboratory.
cordectomy(kor-DEK-toh-mee) An operation on the vocal cords or on the spinal cord.
cordycepinAn anticancer drug that belongs to a family of drugs called antitumor antibiotics.
Core(Kor) the central part of anything, such as the central mass of necrotic matter in a boil.
core biopsy(... BY-op-see) The removal of a tissue sample with a wide needle for examination under a microscope.
Core ServicesGrantee expenditures are limited to core medical services, support services, and administrative expenses.
CorneaThe transparent part of the eye that covers the iris and the pupil and allows light to enter the inside.
cornsA thickening of the skin of the feet or hands, usually caused by pressure against the skin.
coronary artery bypass(KOR-uh-NAYR-ee AR-tuh-ree BY-pas) Surgery in which a healthy blood vessel taken from another part of the body is used to make a new path for blood around…
Coronary Artery DiseaseA narrowing of the small blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart. It is the leading cause of death in the United States for men and women.
coronary heart disease(KOR-uh-NAYR-ee hart dih-ZEEZ) A disease in which there is a narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries (blood vessels that carry blood and oxygen to…
Coronary Vascular DiseaseRelating to the blood supply to the heart, particularly with reference to pathologic changes.
corticosteroid(KOR-tih-koh-STAYR-oyd) Any steroid hormone made in the adrenal cortex (the outer part of the adrenal gland). They are also made in the laboratory.
corticotropin(KOR-tih-koh-TROH-pin) A hormone made in the pituitary gland. Corticotropin acts on the outer part of the adrenal gland to control its release of…
cortisol(KOR-tih-sol) A hormone made by the adrenal cortex (the outer layer of the adrenal gland). It helps the body use glucose (a sugar), protein, and fats.
cortisoneA natural steroid hormone produced in the adrenal gland. It can also be made in the laboratory.
Corynebacterium granulosum(kah-RY-nee-bak-TEER-ee-um GRAN-yoo-LOH-sum) A bacterium that may stimulate the immune system to fight cancer.
Cost SharingThe share of costs covered by your insurance that you pay out of your own pocket.
Cost Sharing ReductionA discount that lowers the amount you have to pay out-of-pocket for deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.
coumarin(KOO-muh-rin) A substance used to make drugs that prevent and treat blood clots in blood vessels and treat certain heart conditions.
coumestanAn estrogen-like substance (phytoestrogen) made by some plants. Coumestans may have anticancer effects.
coumestrolA type of coumestan. Coumestans are estrogen-like substances (phytoestrogens) made by some plants. Coumestans may have anticancer effects.
counseling(KOWN-suh-ling) The process by which a professional counselor helps a person cope with mental or emotional distress, and understand and solve personal…
Court AwardsMoney that's due to you as the result of a lawsuit. This money may be taxable. Examples of lawsuit proceeds that aren't taxable are amounts awarded to you…
coverageThe scope of protection provided by an insurance contract which includes any of the listed benefits in an insurance policy.
COX inhibitor(kox in-HIH-bih-ter) A type of drug that is used to treat inflammation and pain, and is being studied in the prevention and treatment of cancer.
COX-2An enzyme that speeds up the formation of substances that cause inflammation and pain. It may also cause tumor cells to grow.
COX-2 inhibitor(kox...in-HIH-bih-ter) A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to relieve pain and inflammation.
Cozaar(KOH-zahr) A drug used to treat high blood pressure. Cozaar blocks the action of chemicals that make blood vessels constrict (get narrower).
CP-358,774A drug used to treat certain types of non-small cell lung cancer. It is also used together with gemcitabine to treat pancreatic cancer and is being…
CP-547,632A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the families of drugs called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)…
CP-609,754A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer.
CP-724,714A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called ErbB receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
CP4071A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer.
CpG 7909A substance that is being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called biological response modifiers.
CPT 11An anticancer drug that belongs to a family of drugs called topoisomerase inhibitors. It is a camptothecin analogue. Also called irinotecan.
CQSA substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of topoisomerase inhibitor. Also called chloroquinoxaline sulfonamide.
crampA sharp pain that occurs when a muscle suddenly contracts (tightens up). Cramps commonly occur in the abdomen and legs.
craniopharyngioma(KRAY-nee-oh-fuh-RIN-jee-OH-muh) A benign brain tumor that may be considered malignant because it can damage the hypothalamus, the area of the brain that…
craniotomy(KRAY-nee-AH-toh-mee) An operation in which an opening is made in the skull.
creatineA substance that is made by the body and used to store energy. It is being studied in the treatment of weight loss related to cancer.
creatinine(cree-AT-ih-nin) A compound that is excreted from the body in urine. Creatinine levels are measured to monitor kidney function.
Creditable CoverageHealth insurance coverage under any of the following: a group health plan; individual health insurance; student health insurance; Medicare; Medicaid…
crib deathThe sudden and unexpected death of a healthy child who is younger than one year old, usually during sleep. The cause of crib death is not known.
cribriformPierced with small holes as in a sieve. Refers to the appearance of a tumor when viewed under a microscope.
crisis intervention(KRY-sis IN-ter-VEN-shun) Immediate, short-term counseling (talking with a professional counselor) to stop a critical emotional incident (e.g.
crisnatol mesylateAn anticancer drug that interferes with the DNA in cancer cells.
Critical Access Hospital (CAH)(CAH)A small, generally geographically remote facility that provides outpatient and inpatient hospital services to people in rural areas.
Crocinic AcidA liquid that has been promoted as a treatment for a wide range of diseases, including cancer.
Crohn disease(KRONE dih-ZEEZ) Chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, most commonly the small intestine and colon.
Cross-infectionInfection of a patient with bacteria from another person.
cruciferous vegetable(KROO-sih-feh-rus VEJ-tuh-bul) A member of the family of vegetables that includes kale, collard greens, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts…
Crude Probability of DeathThe crude probability of death measures the mortality patterns actually experienced in a cohort of cancer patients on which many possible causes of death…
Crude RateA crude rate is the ratio of the number of people in which the event of interest happens in a specified time period to the size of the population who may…
cryoablation(KRY-oh-uh-BLAY-shun) A procedure in which tissue is frozen to destroy abnormal cells.
cryopreservationThe process of cooling and storing cells, tissues, or organs at very low or freezing temperatures to save them for future use.
cryosurgery(KRY-oh-SER-juh-ree) A procedure in which tissue is frozen to destroy abnormal cells.
cryotherapy(KRY-oh-THAYR-uh-pee) Any method that uses cold temperature to treat disease.
Cryptic malariaA case of malaria where epidemiologic investigations fail to identify an apparent mode of acquisition (this term applies mainly to cases found in…
cryptorchidism(kript-OR-kid-izm) A condition in which one or both testicles fail to move from the abdomen, where they develop before birth, into the scrotum.
CSFThe fluid that flows in and around the hollow spaces of the brain and spinal cord, and between two of the meninges (the thin layers of tissue that cover…
CSPA type of tumor found in breast or prostate tissue. It is often large and bulky and grows quickly.
CT scanA series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body taken from different angles. The pictures are created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine.
CT-2103A form of the anticancer drug paclitaxel combined with a protein called poliglumex that may have fewer side effects and work better than paclitaxel.
CT-2106A form of the anticancer drug camptothecin that may have fewer side effects and work better than camptothecin.
CT-2584A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It may prevent the growth of blood vessels from surrounding tissue into a solid tumor.
CT-322A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. CT-322 prevents the growth of new blood vessels needed for tumors to grow and may kill cancer cells.
CT53518A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. It may stop cancer cell growth by blocking certain enzymes and by preventing the…
CTCA procedure in which a detailed picture of the colon is created by an x-ray machine linked to a computer. Also called computed tomographic colonography.
Cubicin(KYOO-bih-sin) A drug used to treat certain bacterial skin and bloodstream infections in adults.