doxorubicin hydrochloride(DOK-soh-ROO-bih-sin HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A drug that is used to treat many types of cancer and is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.
doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome(DOK-soh-ROO-bih-sin HY-droh-KLOR-ide LY-poh-SOME) A form of the anticancer drug doxorubicin that is contained in very tiny, fat-like particles.
DoxycyclineAn antibiotic drug used to treat infection.
DPAA type of power of attorney. A power of attorney is a legal document that gives one person (such as a relative, lawyer, or friend) the authority to make…
DrainIn medicine, to remove fluid as it collects; or, a tube or wick-like device used to remove fluid from a body cavity, wound, or infected area.
DREAn examination in which a doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum to feel for abnormalities. Also called digital rectal examination.
DRIA set of guidelines developed by U.S. and Canadian scientists to give information about the role of nutrients in human health.
dronabinolA synthetic pill form of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), an active ingredient in marijuana that is used to treat nausea and vomiting associated with…
droperidol(droh-PAYR-ih-dol) A drug used to prevent nausea and vomiting in patients who receive anesthesia before surgery. It is also used to treat anxiety.
drugAny substance, other than food, that is used to prevent, diagnose, treat or relieve symptoms of a disease or abnormal condition.
drug abuse(...uh-BYOOS) The use of illegal drugs or the use of prescription or over-the-counter drugs for purposes other than those for which they are meant to be…
Drug FormularyA list of drugs that an insurer will pay for. Drugs that are not on the formulary ("off-formulary") are sometimes covered but are more expensive (see…
drug interaction(⦠IN-ter-AK-shun) A change in the way a drug acts in the body when taken with certain other drugs, herbals, or foods, or when taken with…
Drug ListA list of prescription drugs covered by a prescription drug plan or another insurance plan offering prescription drug benefits. Also called a formulary.
Drug ProductThe finished dosage form that contains a drug substance, generally, but not necessarily in association with other active or inactive ingredients.
Drug resistanceThe failure of cancer cells, viruses, or bacteria to respond to a drug used to kill or weaken them.
drug toleranceA condition that occurs when the body gets used to a medicine so that either more medicine is needed or different medicine is needed.
dry orgasmSexual climax without the release of semen from the penis.
DSMBData and Safety Monitoring Board. An impartial group that oversees a clinical trial and reviews the results to see if they are acceptable.
DT388IL3 fusion protein(...FYOO-zhun PROH-teen) A substance being studied in the treatment of myeloid leukemia (a disease in which too many immature non-lymphocyte white blood…
DTGM fusion proteinAn anticancer drug formed by the combination of diphtheria toxin and a colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF).
DTHAn inflammatory response that develops 24 to 72 hours after exposure to an antigen that the immune system recognizes as foreign.
DU 145A cell line made from human prostate cancer cells that is used in the laboratory to study the way prostate cancer cells grow.
dual energy x-ray absorptiometric scan(... ub-SORP-shee-uh-MEH-trik SKAN) An imaging test that measures bone density (the amount of bone mineral contained in a certain volume of bone) by…
dual x-ray absorptiometry(... ub-SORP-shee-AH-meh-tree) An imaging test that measures bone density (the amount of bone mineral contained in a certain volume of bone) by passing…
duct (dukt)In medicine, a tube or vessel of the body through which fluids pass.
Duct Ectasia(duct eck-tay'-shuh) is a type of non-proliferative fibrocystic change. It is associated with a mass that can be felt around the nipple area.
ductal carcinomaThe most common type of breast cancer. It begins in the cells that line the milk ducts in the breast.
ductal carcinoma in situ(DUK-tal KAR-sih-NOH-muh in SYE-too) A noninvasive condition in which abnormal cells are found in the lining of a breast duct.
Ductal Carcinoma in situ (DCIS)(duck'-tul kar-sin-oh'-ma in si'-too) (also called Intraductal Carcinoma ) is noninvasive, which means that is has not spread out of the milk ducts to…
ductal lavage(DUK-tal luh-VAHZ) A method used to collect cells from milk ducts in the breast.
Ducts (milk)the part of the breast that carries the milk to the nipple.
Dukes A colorectal cancerCancer has spread beyond the innermost lining of the colon and/or rectum to the second and third layers and involves the inside wall of the colon and/or…
Dukes B colorectal cancerCancer has spread outside the colon and/or rectum to nearby tissue, but it has not gone into the lymph nodes. Also called stage II colorectal cancer.
Dukes C colorectal cancerTumor cells have spread to organs and lymph nodes near the colon/rectum. Also called stage III colorectal cancer.
Dukes classificationA staging system used to describe the extent of colorectal cancer. Stages range from A (early stage) to D (advanced stage).
Dukes D colorectal cancerCancer may have spread to nearby lymph nodes and has spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver or lungs. Also called stage IV colorectal cancer.
duloxetine(duh-LOX-uh-teen) A drug used to treat depression and peripheral neuropathy (pain, numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness in the hands or feet) that can…
duloxetine hydrochloride(duh-LOX-uh-teen HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A drug used to treat depression and peripheral neuropathy (pain, numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness in the hands…
dumping syndromeA condition that occurs when food or liquid moves too fast into the small intestine.
duodenitisInflammation of the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine that connects to the stomach).
duodenum(doo-ah-DEE-num) The first part of the small intestine that connects to the stomach.
durable power of attorney(DUR-uh-bul...uh-TER-nee) A type of power of attorney. A power of attorney is a legal document that gives one person (such as a relative, lawyer, or…
Duragesic(der-uh-JEE-sik) A drug used to treat moderate to severe pain that is ongoing and cannot be managed with other pain medicines.
dutasteride(duh-TAS-ter-ide) A drug used to treat symptoms of an enlarged prostate gland. It is being studied in the treatment of male hair loss and prostate cancer.
DX-52-1An anticancer drug that is a type of antitumor antibiotic. It is an anthracycline.
DX-8951fAn anticancer drug that is a type of topoisomerase inhibitor. Also called exatecan mesylate.
DXAAn imaging test that measures bone density (the amount of bone mineral contained in a certain volume of bone) by passing x-rays with two different energy…
dyscrasiaDisease. Usually refers to diseases of the blood.
dysesthesia(DIS-es-THEE-zhuh) A condition in which a sense, especially touch, is distorted. Dysesthesia can cause an ordinary stimulus to be unpleasant or painful.
dysfunction(dis-FUNK-shun) A state of not functioning normally.
dysgeusiaA bad taste in the mouth. Also called parageusia.
Early Intervention Services (EIS)(EIS)Activities designed to identify individuals who are HIV-positive and get them into care as quickly as possible.
early menopause(...MEN-uh-pawz) A condition in which the ovaries stop working before age 40. Symptoms include hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats, vaginal dryness…
early-stage breast cancer(ER-lee stayj brest KAN-ser) Breast cancer that has not spread beyond the breast or the axillary lymph nodes.
early-stage cancerA term used to describe cancer that is early in its growth, and may not have spread to other parts of the body.
Eastern red cedar(...SEE-der) A type of evergreen tree with hard fragrant wood that is a member of the cypress family.
EBVA common virus that remains dormant in most people. It causes infectious mononucleosis and has been associated with certain cancers, including Burkitt…
ecchymosisA small bruise caused by blood leaking from broken blood vessels into the tissues of the skin or mucous membranes.
eccrine glandA type of simple sweat gland that is found in almost all regions of the skin. These glands produce sweat that reaches the surface of the skin by way of…
echinacea(EH-kih-NAY-shuh) An herb native to North America that has been used to prevent and treat the common cold and other respiratory infections.
echocardiography(EH-koh-KAR-dee-AH-gruh-fee) A procedure that uses ultrasonic waves directed over the chest wall to obtain a graphic record of the heart's position…
ECTA treatment for severe depression and certain mental disorders. A brief seizure is induced by giving electrical stimulation to the brain through…
ecteinascidin 743(ek-TIN-uh-SIDE-in) A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. It may damage the DNA in cancer cells.
ectocervicalHaving to do with the part of the cervix that protrudes into the vagina and is lined with epithelial cells.
ectomesenchymoma(EK-toh-meh-ZEN-keh-MOH-muh) A rare, fast-growing tumor of the nervous system or soft tissue that occurs in children and young adults.
eculizumab(ek-yoo-LY-zoo-mab) A monoclonal antibody used to prevent red blood cells from being destroyed in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH)…
eczema(EK-zeh-muh) A group of conditions in which the skin becomes inflamed, forms blisters, and becomes crusty, thick, and scaly.
edatrexateAn anticancer drug that belongs to a family of drugs called antimetabolites.
Edema(eh-DEE-ma) Swelling caused by excess fluid in body tissues.
edotecarinA substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of topoisomerase I inhibitor. Also called J-107088.
edrecolomabA type of monoclonal antibody used in cancer detection or therapy. Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced substances that can locate and bind to…
EEGA recording of electrical activity in the brain. It is made by placing electrodes on the scalp (the skin covering the top of the head), and impulses are…
EF5A drug that is used to plan cancer treatment by measuring oxygen levels in tumor cells.
efalizumab(eh-fuh-lih-ZOO-mab) A monoclonal antibody used to treat psoriasis (a chronic skin disease).
efaproxiralA drug that may increase the effectiveness of radiation therapy. Also called RSR13.
effector cellA cell that performs a specific function in response to a stimulus; usually used to describe cells in the immune system.
EfficacyEffectiveness. In medicine, the ability of an intervention (for example, a drug or surgery) to produce the desired beneficial effect.
effusion(eh-FYOO-zhun) An abnormal collection of fluid in hollow spaces or between tissues of the body.
eflornithineA substance that is being studied in the prevention of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called antiprotozoals.
EFTsA group of cancers that includes Ewing tumor of bone (ETB or Ewing sarcoma of bone), extraosseous Ewing (EOE) tumors, primitive neuroectodermal tumors…
EGb761A substance that is being studied in the prevention of cognitive dysfunction (slowed ability to think, reason, concentrate, or remember) in patients…
EGFRThe protein found on the surface of some cells and to which epidermal growth factor binds, causing the cells to divide.
EGFR inhibitorsStands for epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors. Epidermal growth factor is a protein in the body that stimulates some cells, including some cancer…
ejaculation(i-JAK-yoo-LAY-shun) The release of semen through the penis during orgasm.
EKB-569A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors.
EKGA test that measures the heart’s action. Also called an electrocardiogram.
electroacupuncture(ee-LEK-troh-AK-yoo-punk-cher) A procedure in which pulses of weak electrical current are sent through acupuncture needles into acupuncture points in the…