Fanconi anemia(fan-KOH-nee uh-NEE-mee-uh) A rare inherited disorder in which the bone marrow does not make blood cells.
Fanconi syndrome(fan-KOH-nee SIN-drome) A group of kidney disorders that cause protein, sugar, minerals, and other nutrients to be lost in the urine.
FansidarBrand name of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, a drug used against malaria. Its value has been compromised by the emergence of drug-resistant malaria parasites.
FAPAn inherited condition in which numerous polyps (growths that protrude from mucous membranes) form on the inside walls of the colon and rectum.
Faslodex(FAZ-loh-dex) A drug used to treat certain types of breast cancer in postmenopausal women.
Fast StatsFast Stats is designed to allow quick and easy access to key statistics for all major cancer sites by age, sex, race, and geographic area.
fast-neutron beam radiation(fast NOO-tron beem RAY-dee-AY-shun) A type of radiation therapy that uses tiny particles called neutrons made by a machine called a cyclotron.
fat-soluble vitamin(⦠SOL-yoo-bul VY-tuh-min) A vitamin that can dissolve in fats and oils.
FatigueA condition marked by extreme tiredness and inability to function due lack of energy. Fatigue may be acute or chronic.
fatty acidA major component of fats that is used by the body for energy and tissue development.
fatty-replaced breast tissueA term used in mammography that refers to the replacement of breast tissue with fatty tissue. This commonly occurs as a woman ages.
fazarabineAn anticancer drug that is a type of antimetabolite.
FDAAn agency in the U.S. federal government whose mission is to protect public health by making sure that food, cosmetics, and nutritional supplements are…
FDA Action DateThe action date tells when an FDA regulatory action, such as an original or supplemental approval, took place.
FDA Application NumberThis number, also known as the NDA (New Drug Application) number, is assigned by FDA staff to each application for approval to market a new drug in the…
FdCydA substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. It may prevent the growth of tumors by stopping cancer cells from dividing and by…
FDRThe parents, brothers, sisters, or children of an individual. Also called first-degree relative .
febrile neutropenia(FEH-brile noo-troh-PEE-nee-uh) A condition marked by fever and decrease in the number of neutrophils in the blood.
fecal incontinence(FEE-kal in-KAHN-tih-nens) Inability to hold stool in the rectum.
fecal occult blood test(FEE-kul uh-KULT...) A test to check for blood in the stool. Small samples of stool are placed on special cards and sent to a doctor or laboratory for…
Fecal occult blood test (FOBT)(FOBT)A test to check for hidden blood in stool. Fecal refers to stool. Occult means hidden. (See also Stool Test.)
feces(FEE-seez) The material in a bowel movement. Feces is made up of food that was not digested, bacteria, mucus, and cells from the intestines.
Federal Poverty Level (FPL)(FPL)A measure of income level issued annually by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Federally Recognized TribeAny Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village or community that the Department of the Interior acknowledges to exist as an Indian tribe.
FeeA charge or payment for products and services, a sum paid or charged for a privilege, for example, some financial institutions charge a monthly fee to…
Fee For ServiceWhen you're covered by fee-for-service health insurance, you pay your medical bills and file a claim for reimbursement from your insurance company.
Femara(FEM-uh-ruh) A drug used to treat advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Femara causes a decrease in the amount of estrogen made by the body.
fenofibrate(FEN-oh-FY-brayt) A drug used to treat high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.
fenretinide(fen-REH-tih-nide) A substance being studied in the treatment and prevention of some types of cancer.
fenretinide LXS(fen-REH-tih-nideâ¦) A powdered form of fenretinide that is being studied in the treatment of neuroblastoma.
fenretinide Lym-X-Sorb(fen-REH-tih-nideâ¦) A powdered form of fenretinide that is being studied in the treatment of neuroblastoma.
fentanyl(FEN-tuh-nil) A drug used to treat moderate to severe pain that is ongoing and cannot be managed with other pain medicines.
fentanyl sublingual spray(FEN-tuh-nil sub-LING-wul â¦) A form of the drug fentanyl that is sprayed under the tongue and then absorbed into the blood.
fertility(fer-TIL-i-tee) The ability to produce children.
ferumoxtran-10(fayr-yoo-MOX-tranâ¦) A substance being studied as a way of improving magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosing cancer and finding lymph…
ferumoxytolA nanoparticle form of iron made in the laboratory that is being studied for use in iron replacement therapy, and as a contrast agent for magnetic…
Fetus(FEET-us) The developing offspring from 7 to 8 weeks after conception until birth.
fever(FEE-ver) An increase in body temperature above normal (98.6 degrees F), usually caused by disease.
fexofenadine(fex-oh-FEN-uh-deen) A drug used to treat certain allergy symptoms. It blocks a chemical released during an allergic response that causes itching…
fiber(FY-ber) In food, fiber is the part of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains that cannot be digested. The fiber in food may help prevent cancer.
fiberoptic(FY-ber-OP-tik) Describes the use of a coated, thin, clear, glass or plastic fiber that can carry light and send information, including images.
fibrin sealantA type of surgical glue that is made from human blood-clotting proteins, and that is used during surgery to control bleeding.
Fibroadenoma(FY-broh-a-deh-NOH-muh) A benign (noncancerous) tumor that usually forms in the breast from both fibrous and glandular tissue.
FibroblastA connective tissue cell that makes and secretes collagen proteins.
fibrocystic breast changes(FY-broh-SISS-tik) A common condition marked by benign (noncancerous) changes in breast tissue.
fibrocystic breast disease(FY-broh-SISS-tik brest dih-ZEEZ) A common condition marked by benign (noncancerous) changes in breast tissue.
Fibrocystic breasts(fi"bro-sis'tik brest) characterized by the development of cystic (fluid filled) sacs and overgrowth of fibrous tissue in the breasts.
fifth cranial nerveThe main sensory nerve of the head and face, and the motor nerve of the muscles used in chewing. Also called trigeminal nerve.
FIHPA rare inherited condition in which one or more tumors form in the parathyroid glands (four pea-sized organs found on the thyroid) and cause them to make…
filgrastimA colony-stimulating factor that stimulates the production of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell).
filgrastim-SD/01(fil-GRAS-tim) A drug used to increase numbers of white blood cells in patients who are receiving chemotherapy. It is a type of colony-stimulating factor.
fillerAn inactive substance used to make a product bigger or easier to handle. For example, fillers are often used to make pills or capsules because the amount…
Financial Status Report (FSR - Form 269)A report that is required to be submitted within 90 days after the end of the budget period that serves as documentation of the financial status of grants…
finasteride(fi-NAS-ta-ride) A drug used to reduce the amount of male hormone (testosterone) produced by the body.
fine-needle aspiration biopsy(... NEE-dul as-per-AY-shun BY-op-see) The removal of tissue or fluid with a thin needle for examination under a microscope. Also called FNA biopsy.
first line therapy(... THAYR-uh-pee) The first treatment for a disease or condition. In patients with cancer, first-line therapy can be surgery, chemotherapy, radiation…
first-degree relativeThe parents, brothers, sisters, or children of an individual. Also called FDR.
FISHA laboratory technique used to look at genes or chromosomes in cells and tissues.
fistula(fis-CHUH-luh) An abnormal opening or passage between two organs or between an organ and the surface of the body.
five element acupuncture(five EL-eh-ment AK-yoo-PUNK-cher) An ancient form of acupuncture based on the principle that there are five universal elements (wood, fire, earth, metal…
Five-Year Survival Rate(... ser-VY-vul ...) The percentage of people in a study or treatment group who are alive five years after they were diagnosed with or treated for a…
FK463An antibiotic/antifungal drug used to treat infection.
FlagylA drug that is used to treat infection and is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is type of antibacterial, antiprotozoal, and anthelmintic.
flavonoidA member of a group of substances found in many plants and plant-based foods. Flavonoids have shown antioxidant effects.
flavopiridolA substance being studied as an anticancer drug. It is a type of flavonoid.
flaxseedThe seed of the flax plant. It is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acid, fiber, and a compound called lignin.
flecainideA drug used to treat abnormal heart rhythms. It may also relieve neuropathic pain, the burning, stabbing, or stinging pain that may arise from damage to…
Flexible Benefits PlanA benefit program that offers employees a choice between various benefits including cash, life insurance, health insurance, vacations, retirement plans…
Flexible sigmoidoscopyAlso called proctosigmoidoscopy. A procedure in which the doctor looks inside the rectum and the lower portion of the colon (sigmoid colon) through a…
Flexible Spending Account (FSA)(FSA)An arrangement you set up through your employer to pay for many of your out-of-pocket medical expenses with tax-free dollars.
Flomax(FLOH-max) A drug used to treat urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate.
Flow cytometryA method of measuring the number of cells in a sample, the percentage of live cells in a sample, and certain characteristics of cells, such as size…
floxuridineA drug used in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of antimetabolite.
flt3LA drug that increases the number of immune cells and may stimulate the immune system to kill cancer cells.
fluAn infection caused by the "flu" (short for "influenza") virus. The flu is a contagious viral illness that strikes quickly and severely.
fluconazoleA drug that treats infections caused by fungi.
flucytosineA drug that treats infections caused by fungi.
Fludara(floo-DAR-uh) A drug used to treat B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that has not responded to treatment with other anticancer drugs or that has…
fludarabine(floo-DAR-uh-been) The active ingredient in a drug used to treat B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that has not responded to treatment with other…
fludarabine phosphate(floo-DAR-uh-been FOS-fayt) A drug used to treat B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that has not responded to treatment with other anticancer drugs…
fludeoxyglucose F 18The radioactive form of glucose used in positron emission tomography (PET), a diagnostic imaging procedure.
fludrocortisoneA synthetic corticosteroid. It is used to replace steroid hormones normally produced by the adrenal gland.
fluorescence in situ hybridization(floor-EH-sents in SY-too HY-brih-dih-ZAY-shun) A laboratory technique used to look at genes or chromosomes in cells and tissues.
fluorideA substance that helps prevent tooth decay. Fluoride may be naturally present in or may be added to drinking water.
fluorine F 18 EF5(FLOR-een...) A substance being studied in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging to detect tumor hypoxia (a low level of oxygen in the tumor).
fluorine F 18 FEQA(FLOOR-een â¦) A radioactive substance being studied in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging to detect cancer and to monitor the response…
fluoropyrimidineOne of a group of substances used to treat cancer. A fluoropyrimidine is a type of antimetabolite.
fluoroquinolone(flur-oh-KWIH-nuh-lone) A type of drug used to prevent and treat infections.
fluoroscope(FLOOR-oh-skope) An x-ray machine that makes it possible to see internal organs in motion.
fluoroscopy(floor-AHS-ko-pee) An x-ray procedure that makes it possible to see internal organs in motion.
fluorothymidine F 18(FLOOR-oh-THY-mih-DEENâ¦) A radioactive substance being studied in the diagnosis of cancer.