glucoseA type of sugar; the chief source of energy for living organisms.
glufosfamideAn anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called alkylating agents.
glutamic acid(gloo-TA-mik A-sid) One of twenty amino acids (molecules that join together to form proteins).
glutamineAn amino acid used in nutrition therapy. It is also being studied for the treatment of diarrhea caused by radiation therapy to the pelvis.
glutathioneA substance found in plant and animal tissues that has many functions in a cell.
glutathione S-transferaseA family of enzymes involved in metabolism and in making toxic compounds less harmful to the body.
glycan(GLY-kan) A large carbohydrate molecule. It contains many small sugar molecules that are joined chemically. Also called polysaccharide.
glycan analysis(GLY-kan uh-NA-lih-sis) A study of the types of carbohydrate (sugar) molecules attached to proteins in cells.
glycemic index(gly-SEE-mik â¦) A measure of the increase in the level of blood glucose (a type of sugar) caused by eating a specific carbohydrate (food that…
Glycine maxA product from a plant of Asian origin that produces beans used in many food products.
Glycohemoglobin(GHb) A glycosylated hemoglobin test administered by the physician to review average blood glucose control for the past three to four months before the…
glycolic acid(gly-KAH-lik A-sid) A substance found in some fruits, sugar beets, and sugar cane. It is used in skin care products to reduce wrinkles and soften the skin.
glycolysisA process in which glucose (sugar) is partially broken down by cells in enzyme reactions that do not need oxygen.
glycopeptideA short chain of amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) that has sugar molecules attached to it.
glycoproteinA protein that has sugar molecules attached to it.
glycoprotein 100gp100. A tumor-specific antigen used in the development of cancer vaccines. Also called gp100.
glycosaminoglycanA type of long, unbranched polysaccharide molecule. Glycosaminoglycans are major structural components of cartilage and are also found in the cornea of…
Glycosuria(Glucosuria) The urinary excretion of glucose usually in enhanced quantities.
GM-CSFA substance that helps make more white blood cells, especially granulocytes, macrophages, and cells that become platelets.
GM2-KLH vaccineA substance used to stimulate the production of antibodies that fight certain cancer cells.
GnRHA hormone made by the hypothalamus (part of the brain). GnRH causes the pituitary gland to make luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone…
goiter(GOY-ter) An enlarged thyroid. It may be caused by too little iodine in the diet or by other conditions. Most goiters are not cancer.
gonadThe part of the reproductive system that produces and releases eggs (ovary) or sperm (testicle/testis).
gonadal dysgenesis(go-NA-dul dis-JEH-neh-sis) Abnormal development of a gonad (ovary or testicle).
gonadotropin-releasing hormoneA hormone made by the hypothalamus (part of the brain). GnRH causes the pituitary gland to make luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone…
gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonistA hormone made in the laboratory that has the same effect as the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) produced naturally by the body.
gonioscopy(GOH-nee-OS-koh-pee) A procedure in which a gonioscope (special lens) is used to look at the front part of the eye between the cornea (the clear layer)…
Gonzalez regimenAn alternative therapy that is being studied as a treatment for pancreatic cancer.
Gorlin syndromeA genetic condition that causes unusual facial features and disorders of the skin, bones, nervous system, eyes, and endocrine glands.
goserelin(go-SAIR-uh-lin) A drug that belongs to the family of drugs called gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs.
gossypolAn anticancer drug extracted from the cotton plant.
gp100A tumor-specific antigen used in the development of cancer vaccines. Also called glycoprotein 100.
gp209-2MA peptide (short piece of protein) made from the tumor-specific antigen gp100, and used to make vaccines being studied in the treatment of melanoma.
gp96 heat shock protein-peptide complex vaccine(⦠PROH-teen PEP-tide KOM-plex vak-SEEN) A vaccine made from a patient's tumor cells that may help the body's immune system find and kill…
gp96 HSP-peptide complex(⦠PROH-teen PEP-tide KOM-plex) A vaccine made from a patient's tumor cells that may help the body's immune system find and kill cancer cells.
GPX-100An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called antitumor antibiotics. It is an anthracycline.
Grace PeriodA time period after the due date that you may pay a premium without penalty. The policy remains in force during this time.
gradeThe grade of a tumor depends on how abnormal the cancer cells look under a microscope and how quickly the tumor is likely to grow and spread.
grade 1 follicular lymphoma(... fuh-LIH-kyoo-ler lim-FOH-muh) An indolent (slow-growing) type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma marked by enlarged lymph nodes and small cells that have…
grade 2 follicular lymphoma(... fuh-LIH-kyoo-ler lim-FOH-muh) An indolent (slow-growing) type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma marked by enlarged lymph nodes and a mix of large cells and…
grade 3 follicular lymphoma(... fuh-LIH-kyoo-ler lim-FOH-muh) A type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma marked by large cells and enlarged lymph nodes.
grade IV astrocytoma(... AS-troh-sy-TOH-muh) A fast-growing type of central nervous system tumor that forms from glial (supportive) tissue of the brain and spinal cord and…
gradingA system for classifying cancer cells in terms of how abnormal they appear when examined under a microscope.
graftHealthy skin, bone, or other tissue taken from one part of the body and used to replace diseased or injured tissue removed from another part of the body.
graft-versus-host disease(... dih-ZEEZ) A disease caused when cells from a donated stem cell graft attack the normal tissue of the transplant patient.
graft-versus-tumorAn immune response to a person's tumor cells by immune cells present in a donor's transplanted tissue, such as bone marrow or peripheral blood.
gramA unit of weight in the metric system. One gram is equal to one thousandth of a kilogram and is approximately 30-times less than an ounce.
GrandfatheredAs used in connection with the Affordable Care Act: Exempt from certain provisions of this law.
Grandfathered Health PlanAs used in connection with the Affordable Care Act: A group health plan that was created—or an individual health insurance policy that was…
Grandfathered planA health plan that an individual was enrolled in prior to March 23, 2010 is considered a grandfathered plan under the ACA.
granisetron(grah-NIH-seh-tron) The active ingredient in a drug used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatment.
granisetron hydrochloride(grah-NIH-seh-tron HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A drug used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatment.
GranteeAn individual to whom an interest in real property is conveyed.
Granulocyte(GRAN-yoo-loh-SITE) A type of white blood cell that fights bacterial infection. Neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils are granulocytes.
granulocyte colony-stimulating factor(GRAN-yoo-loh-SITE KAH-luh-nee STIM-yoo-LAY-ting FAK-ter) A colony-stimulating factor that stimulates the production of neutrophils (a type of white blood…
granulocytic sarcoma(GRAN-yoo-loh-SIH-tik sar-KOH-muh) A malignant, green-colored tumor of myeloid cells (a type of immature white blood cell).
granulocytopenia(GRAN-yoo-loh-SY-toh-PEE-nee-uh) A deficiency in the number of granulocytes, a type of white blood cell.
granulosa cell tumor(GRAN-yoo-LOH-suh SEL TOO-mer) A type of slow-growing, malignant tumor that usually affects the ovary.
gray elmThe inner bark of this plant has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems. It may have antioxidant effects.
green tea extractA substance that is being studied in the prevention of cancer. It is made from decaffeinated green tea, and contains chemicals called catechins, which are…
Greene Menopause IndexA tool used by researchers to study the symptoms of menopause. It is a standard list of 21 questions which women use to rate how much they are bothered by…
grief (GREEF)The normal response to a major loss, such as the death of a loved one. Grief may also be felt by a person with a serious, long-term illness or with a…
grief counseling(greef KOWN-suh-ling) The process by which a trained counselor or a support group helps a person work through normal feelings of sorrow after a loss, such…
grief therapy(greef THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment that helps a person work through a greater than normal reaction to a loss, such as the death of a loved one.
GrievanceA complaint that you communicate to your health insurer or plan.
Group Health PlanWhen groups of individuals are covered under one insurance contract. Usually people are offered group health plans by their employers (see "individual…
growth factor(grohth FAK-ter) A substance made by the body that functions to regulate cell division and cell survival.
growth hormoneA protein made by the pituitary gland that helps control body growth and the use of glucose and fat in the body. Also called somatotropin.
GTI-2040A substance that is being studied as a treatment for cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called antisense oligonucleotides.
guaiac(GWY-uk) A substance from a type of tree called Guaiacum that grows in the Caribbean.
Guaranteed IssueA health insurance policy that must be issued regardless of any pre-existing medical condition.
Guaranteed renewabilityA requirement that health insurers renew coverage under a health plan except for failure to pay premium, fraud or misrepresentation.
Guaranteed RenewalA requirement that your health insurance issuer must offer to renew your policy as long as you continue to pay premiums.
gumsThe tissue of the upper and lower jaws that surrounds the base of the teeth. Also called gingiva.
GVHDA disease caused when cells from a donated stem cell graft attack the normal tissue of the transplant patient.
GW572016A drug used with another anticancer drug to treat breast cancer that is HER2 positive and has advanced or metastasized (spread to other parts of the body)…
GW786034A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor and angiogenesis inhibitor.
gynecologic(GY-neh-kuh-LAH-jik) Having to do with the female reproductive tract (including the cervix, endometrium, fallopian tubes, ovaries, uterus, and vagina).
gynecologic cancer(GY-neh-kuh-LAH-jik KAN-ser) Cancer of the female reproductive tract, including the cervix, endometrium, fallopian tubes, ovaries, uterus, and vagina.
gynecologic oncologist(GY-neh-kuh-LAH-jik on-KAH-loh-jist) A doctor who specializes in treating cancers of the female reproductive organs.
gynecologist(GY-neh-KAH-loh-jist) A doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the female reproductive organs.
Gynecomastia(guy'neh-co-mast"ee-uh) a condition in which firm breast tissue or breast enlargement occurs in males.
H. pyloriA type of bacterium that causes inflammation and ulcers in the stomach or small intestine. People with H.
hA20A monoclonal antibody that is being studied in the treatment of refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
HAARTHighly active antiretroviral therapy. Treatment for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection that uses a combination of several antiretroviral drugs.
Habilitation ServicesHealth care services that help a person keep, learn or improve skills and functioning for daily living.
Habilitative ServicesHealth care services that help a person keep, learn or improve skills and functioning for daily living.
HAI Prevention CollaborativeA group of facilities that are engaged in an effort to improve an outcome, in this case to reduce HAIs.
hair follicle(FOL-i-kul) A shaft or opening on the surface of the skin through which hair grows.
hairy cell leukemia(HAYR-ee SEL loo-KEE-mee-uh) A rare type of leukemia in which abnormal B-lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) are present in the bone marrow, spleen…
Haldol(HAL-dol) A drug used to treat certain mental and neurological disorders. It is also being studied in the treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by some…
half-sibling(HAF-SIB-ling) A person's brother or sister who has one parent in common.
hallucination(huh-LOO-sih-NAY-shun) A sight, sound, smell, taste, or touch that a person believes to be real but is not real.
HalofantrineA drug used against malaria in some countries, but not recommended by CDC.