ENT doctorA doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the ear, nose, and throat. Also called otolaryngologist.
enteral nutritionA form of nutrition that is delivered into the digestive system as a liquid. Drinking nutrition beverages or formulas and tubefeeding are forms of enteral…
enterostomal therapist(EN-ter-oh-STOH-mul...) A health professional trained in the care of persons with stomas, such as colostomies or urostomies.
enucleationIn medicine, the removal of an organ or tumor in such a way that it comes out clean and whole, like a nut from its shell.
enveloped virus(....VY-rus) A virus that has an outer wrapping or envelope. This envelope comes from the infected cell, or host, in a process called "budding off.
environmental tobacco smoke(en-VY-run-MEN-tul tuh-BA-koh ...) Smoke that comes from the burning of a tobacco product and smoke that is exhaled by smokers.
enzastaurin(en-zuh-STAW-rin) A substance being studied in the treatment of certain types of cancer, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, breast, colon, lung, ovarian, and…
enzastaurin hydrochloride(en-zuh-STAW-rin HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A substance being studied in the treatment of certain types of cancer, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, breast, colon…
enzymeA protein that speeds up chemical reactions in the body.
eosinophiliaA condition in which the number of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) in the blood is greatly increased.
EP-2101A substance that is being studied as a treatment for cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called cancer vaccines.
ependyma(eh-PEN-dih-muh) A thin membrane that lines the fluid-filled spaces in the brain and spinal cord.
ependymal cell(eh-PEN-dih-mul SEL) A cell that forms the lining of the fluid-filled spaces in the brain and spinal cord. It is a type of glial cell.
ependymal tumor(eh-PEN-dih-mul TOO-mer) A type of brain tumor that begins in cells lining the spinal cord central canal (fluid-filled space down the center) or the…
ependymoma(eh-PEN-dih-MOH-muh) A type of brain tumor that begins in cells lining the spinal cord central canal (fluid-filled space down the center) or the…
ephedra(eh-FEH-druh) A shrub native to China and India. The stems and roots are used in traditional medicine as a diuretic and for asthma, bronchitis, and cough.
EpidemicA disease that occurs clearly in excess of normal expectation and spreads rapidly through a demographic segment of the human population.
Epidemiologic ProfileA description of the current status, distribution, and impact of an infectious disease or other health-related condition in a specified geographic area.
epidemiologist(EH-pih-DEE-mee-AH-loh-jist) A scientist who studies the patterns, causes, and control of disease in groups of people.
Epidemiology(EH-pih-dee-mee-AH-loh-jee) The study of the patterns, causes, and control of disease in groups of people.
epidermal growth factor receptor(eh-pih-DER-mul grohth FAK-ter reh-SEP-ter) The protein found on the surface of some cells and to which epidermal growth factor binds, causing the cells…
epidermis(ep-i-DER-mis) The upper or outer layer of the two main layers of tissue that make up the skin.
epidermoid carcinoma(EH-pih-DUR-moyd KAR-sih-NOH-muh) Cancer that begins in squamous cells (thin, flat cells that look like fish scales).
epidermolysis bullosa(EP-ih-der-MOLE-uh-sis bul-OH-suh) A group of chronic skin disorders in which fluid-filled blisters form on the skin and mucosa (the moist, inner lining…
epididymis(eh-pih-DIH-dih-mis) A narrow, tightly-coiled tube that is attached to each of the testicles (the male sex glands that produce sperm).
epiduralHaving to do with the space between the wall of the spinal canal and the covering of the spinal cord. An epidural injection is given into this space.
epidural blockAn injection of an anesthetic drug into the space between the wall of the spinal canal and the covering of the spinal cord.
epigastricHaving to do with the upper middle area of the abdomen.
epiglottis(ep-ih-GLAH-tis) The flap that covers the trachea during swallowing so that food does not enter the lungs.
epilepsyA group of disorders marked by problems in the normal functioning of the brain.
epinephrineA hormone and neurotransmitter. Also called adrenaline.
epipodophyllotoxin(EH-pih-POH-doh-FIH-loh-TOK-sin) A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
epirubicin(EP-ih-ROO-bih-sin) A drug used together with other drugs to treat early breast cancer that has spread to lymph nodes.
epirubicin hydrochloride(EP-ih-ROO-bih-sin HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A drug used together with other drugs to treat early breast cancer that has spread to lymph nodes.
epithelial(ep-ih-THEE-lee-ul) Refers to the cells that line the internal and external surfaces of the body.
epithelial carcinoma(ep-ih-THEE-lee-ul KAR-sih-NOH-muh) Cancer that begins in the cells that line an organ.
epithelial ovarian cancer(eh-pih-THEE-lee-ul oh-VAYR-ee-un KAN-ser) Cancer that occurs in the cells on the surface of the ovary. Also called ovarian epithelial cancer.
Epithelium(EP-ih-THEE-lee-um) A thin layer of tissue that covers organs, glands, and other structures within the body.
epitope(EP-i-tope) A part of a molecule that an antibody will recognize and bind to.
EPO906A substance that is being studied as a treatment for cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called epothilones. Also called epothilone B.
epoetin alfa(ee-POH-eh-tin AL-fuh) A substance that is made in the laboratory and stimulates the bone marrow to make red blood cells.
epoetin beta(ee-POH-eh-tin BAY-tuh) A substance that is made in the laboratory and stimulates the bone marrow to make red blood cells.
epothilone(eh-POTH-ih-lone) A substance obtained from bacteria that interferes with cell division. Some epothilones are being studied as treatments for cancer.
epothilone B(eh-POTH-ih-lone ...) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of epothilone. Also called EPO906.
epothilone D(eh-POTH-ih-lone ...) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of mitotic inhibitor and epothilone. Also called KOS-862.
epothilone ZK219477(eh-POTH-ih-lone ...) A form of the substance epothilone that is made in the laboratory. It is being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
epratuzumabA substance that is being studied as a treatment for cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies.
Epstein-Barr virus(ep-stine-BAR VY-rus) A common virus that remains dormant in most people. It causes infectious mononucleosis and has been associated with certain cancers…
EPTTreatment that generates electrical pulses through an electrode placed in a tumor to enhance the ability of anticancer drugs to enter tumor cells.
ERDescribes cells that do not have a protein to which the hormone estrogen will bind.
ERA-923A substance that is being studied as a treatment for cancer. It belongs to a family of drugs called antiestrogens.
EradicationIn the context of malaria, reducing the number of malaria parasites that circulate in the natural world to zero.
erb-38 immunotoxin(... IH-myoo-noh-TOK-sin) A toxic substance linked to an antibody that attaches to tumor cells and kills them.
ErbB1The protein found on the surface of some cells and to which epidermal growth factor binds, causing the cells to divide.
Erbitux(ER-bih-tux) A monoclonal antibody used to treat certain types of head and neck cancer, and colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
ERCPA procedure that uses an endoscope to examine and x-ray the pancreatic duct, hepatic duct, common bile duct, duodenal papilla, and gallbladder.
erectile dysfunctionAn inability to have an erection of the penis adequate for sexual intercourse. Also called impotence.
erection(ih-REK-shun) In medicine, the swelling of the penis with blood, causing it to become firm.
erlotinib(er-LOH-ty-nib) A drug used to treat certain types of non-small cell lung cancer.
erlotinib hydrochloride(er-LOH-ty-nib HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A drug used to treat certain types of non-small cell lung cancer.
ERTHormones (estrogen, progesterone, or both) given to postmenopausal women or to women who have had their ovaries surgically removed.
ERUSA procedure in which a probe that sends out high-energy sound waves is inserted into the rectum.
Erythrocyte(eh-RITH-roh-site) A cell that carries oxygen to all parts of the body. Also called RBC and red blood cell.
erythrocyte sedimentation rate(eh-RITH-roh-site SEH-dih-men-TAY-shun ...) The distance red blood cells travel in one hour in a sample of blood as they settle to the bottom of a test…
Erythrocytic stageA stage in the life cycle of the malaria parasite found in the red blood cells. Erythrocytic stage parasites cause the symptoms of malaria.
erythrodysplasia(eh-RITH-roh-dis-PLAY-zhuh) A condition in which immature red blood cells (erythroid cells) in the bone marrow are abnormal in size, shape, organization…
erythroid dysplasia(eh-RITH-royd dis-PLAY-zhuh) A condition in which immature red blood cells (erythroid cells) in the bone marrow are abnormal in size, shape, organization…
erythroleukemia(eh-RITH-roh-loo-KEE-mee-uh) Cancer of the blood-forming tissues in which large numbers of immature, abnormal red blood cells are found in the blood and…
erythroleukoplakia(eh-RITH-roh-LOO-koh-PLAY-kee-uh) An abnormal patch of red and white tissue that forms on mucous membranes in the mouth and may become cancerous.
erythroplakia(eh-RITH-roh-PLAY-kee-uh) An abnormal patch of red tissue that forms on mucous membranes in the mouth and may become cancerous.
erythropoietin(eh-RITH-roh-POY-eh-tin) A substance that is naturally produced by the kidneys, and that stimulates the bone marrow to make red blood cells.
escitalopram(es-sy-TAL-oh-pram) A drug used to treat depression and certain anxiety disorders.
esomeprazole(es-oh-MEH-pray-zole) A drug that blocks acid from being made in the stomach. It is used to treat acid reflux disease and to prevent certain types of…
esomeprazole magnesium(es-oh-MEH-pray-zole mag-NEE-zee-um) A drug that blocks acid from being made in the stomach.
esophageal(ee-SAH-fuh-JEE-ul) Having to do with the esophagus, the muscular tube through which food passes from the throat to the stomach.
esophageal cancer(ee-SAH-fuh-JEE-ul KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in tissues lining the esophagus (the muscular tube through which food passes from the throat to the stomach).
esophageal reflux(ee-SAH-fuh-JEE-ul REE-flux) The backward flow of stomach acid contents into the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach).
esophageal speech(ee-SAH-fuh-JEE-ul...) Speech produced by trapping air in the esophagus and forcing it out again.
esophageal stent(ee-SAH-fuh-JEE-ul stent) A tube placed in the esophagus to keep a blocked area open so the patient can swallow soft food and liquids.
esophagectomy(ee-SAH-fuh-JEK-toh-mee) An operation to remove a portion of the esophagus.
esophagitis(ee-sof-uh-JY-tis) Inflammation of the esophagus (the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach).
esophagoscopy(ee-SAH-fuh-GOS-koh-pee) Examination of the esophagus using an esophagoscope. An esophagoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for…
esophagram(ee-SAH-fuh-gram) A series of x-rays of the esophagus. The x-ray pictures are taken after the person drinks a solution that contains barium.
esophagus(ee-SAH-fuh-gus) The muscular tube through which food passes from the throat to the stomach.
ESRThe distance red blood cells travel in one hour in a sample of blood as they settle to the bottom of a test tube.
Essential BenefitsThe ACA requires all health insurance plans sold after 2014 to include a basic package of benefits including hospitalization, outpatient services…
Essential Health BenefitsA set of health care service categories that must be covered by certain plans, starting in 2014.
essential oil(eh-SENT-shul...) The scented liquid taken from certain plants using steam or pressure.
essential thrombocythemiaAn increased number of thrombocytes (platelets) in the blood, without a known cause. Also called essential thrombocytosis.
essential thrombocytosis(eh-SEN-shul THROM-boh-sy-TOH-sis) An increased number of thrombocytes (platelets) in the blood, without a known cause.
EssiacAn herbal tea mixture that contains burdock root, Indian rhubarb root, sheep sorrel, and slippery elm bark.
ester(ES-ter) A type of chemical substance that is a combination of acid and alcohol. Esters are found in essential oils (scented liquid taken from plants).
esterified estrogen(eh-STAYR-uh-fide ES-truh-jin) A form of estrogen that may have fewer side effects than other forms.
estradiol(es-truh-DY-ol) A form of the hormone estrogen.
estramustineA combination of the hormone estradiol (an estrogen) and nitrogen mustard (an anticancer drug). Used in the palliative therapy of prostate cancer.
EstrogenA type of hormone made by the body that helps develop and maintain female sex characteristics and the growth of long bones.
estrogen receptor(ES-truh-jin reh-SEP-ter) A protein found inside the cells of the female reproductive tissue, some other types of tissue, and some cancer cells.