ampulla of Vater cancer(am-PUH-luh ... VAH-ter KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in the ampulla of Vater (an enlargement of the ducts from the liver and pancreas where they join and…
ampullary cancer(am-PUH-layr-ee KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in the ampulla of Vater (an enlargement of the ducts from the liver and pancreas where they join and enter the…
amputation(am-pyoo-TAY-shun) Surgery to remove part or all of a limb or appendage.
amrubicin(am-ROO-bih-sin) A substance being studied in the treatment of lung cancer. It is a type of anthracycline analog.
amsacrineAn anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called topoisomerase inhibitors.
amygdalin(uh-MIG-duh-lin) A substance found in the pits of many fruits such as apricots and papayas, and in other foods.
amylase(AM-il-aze) An enzyme that helps the body digest starches.
amyloidosis(am-a-loy-DOE-sis) A group of diseases in which protein is deposited in specific organs (localized amyloidosis) or throughout the body (systemic…
anagrelide(an-AG-re-lide) A drug that is used to decrease the number of platelets in the blood in order to prevent blood clotting.
anakinra(an-a-KIN-ra) A substance that is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, and is being studied in the treatment of cancer.
anal(AY-nul) Having to do with the anus. The anus is the opening of the rectum (last part of the large intestine) to the outside of the body.
anal cancer(AY-nul KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in tissues of the anus. The anus is the opening of the rectum (last part of the large intestine) to the outside of the…
analgesicA drug that reduces pain. Analgesics include aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen.
analogIn chemistry, a substance that is similar, but not identical, to another.
AnalysisA process in which anything complex is separated into simple or less complex parts.
anaphylactic shock(A-nuh-fih-LAK-tik shok) A severe and sometimes life-threatening immune system reaction to an antigen that a person has been previously exposed to.
anaplastic(an-ah-PLAS-tik) A term used to describe cancer cells that divide rapidly and have little or no resemblance to normal cells.
anaplastic large cell lymphoma(A-nuh-PLAS-tik ... lim-FOH-muh) An aggressive (fast-growing) type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that is usually of the T-cell type.
anaplastic thyroid cancer(A-nuh-PLAS-tik THY-royd KAN-ser) A rare, aggressive type of thyroid cancer in which the malignant (cancer) cells look very different from normal thyroid…
anastomosis(an-AS-ta-MO-sis) A procedure to connect healthy sections of tubular structures in the body after the diseased portion has been surgically removed.
anastrozoleAn anticancer drug that is used to decrease estrogen production and suppress the growth of tumors that need estrogen to grow.
anatomic(A-nuh-TAH-mik) Having to do with anatomy (the study of the structure of a plant or animal).
anatomy(uh-NA-toh-mee) The study of the structure of a plant or animal.
ancestim(an-SESS-tim) A drug being studied for its ability to increase the number of stem cells in the blood. It is a type of hematopoietic cell growth factor.
androblastoma(AN-droh-blas-TOH-muh) A rare type of ovarian tumor in which the tumor cells secrete a male sex hormone.
androgen(AN-droh-jen) A type of hormone that promotes the development and maintenance of male sex characteristics.
androgen ablation(AN-droh-jen a-BLAY-shun) Treatment to suppress or block the production or action of male hormones.
androgen deprivation(AN-droh-jen DEH-prih-VAY-shun) Treatment to suppress or block the production or action of male hormones.
androgen suppression(AN-droh-jen suh-PREH-shun) Treatment to suppress or block the production or action of male hormones.
androgen-independent(AN-droh-jen...) Describes the ability of tumor cells to grow in the absence of androgens (hormones that promote the development and maintenance of male…
androstanolone(AN-droh-STAN-uh-lone) A hormone made from testosterone in the prostate gland, testes, and some other tissues.
anecdotal reportAn incomplete description of the medical and treatment history of one or more patients.
Anemia(a-NEE-mee-a) A condition in which the number of red blood cells is below normal.
AnesthesiaA loss of feeling or awareness caused by drugs or other substances. Anesthesia keeps patients from feeling pain during surgery or other procedures.
anesthesiologist(a-nes-THEE-zee-AH-loh-jist) A doctor who specializes in giving drugs or other agents to prevent or relieve pain during surgery or other procedures being…
anesthetic(a-nes-THEH-tik) A substance that causes loss of feeling or awareness. Local anesthetics cause loss of feeling in a part of the body.
anetholtrithioneA substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer.
Aneuploid(an you ployd') describes an abnormal (not normal) amount of DNA in cells.
angelica root(an-JEH-lih-kuh root) The root of any of a group of herbs called Angelica. It has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems, including…
AnginaChest pain or severe spasmatic and painful suffocation in the chest casued by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle.
Angiocept(AN-jee-oh-sept) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. Angiocept prevents the growth of new blood vessels needed for tumors to grow and…
angiogenesis(AN-jee-oh-JEN-eh-sis) Blood vessel formation. Tumor angiogenesis is the growth of new blood vessels needed for tumors to grow.
angiogenesis inhibitor(AN-jee-oh-JEN-eh-sis in-HIH-bih-ter) A substance that may prevent the formation of blood vessels.
angiogram(AN-jee-oh-gram) An x-ray of blood vessels. The person receives an injection of dye to outline the vessels on the x-ray.
angiography(an-jee-AH-gruh-fee) A procedure to x-ray blood vessels. The blood vessels can be seen because of an injection of a dye that shows up in the x-ray.
angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphomaAn aggressive (fast-growing) type of T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma marked by enlarged lymph nodes and hypergammaglobulinemia (increased antibodies in the…
angiomyolipoma(AN-jee-oh-MY-oh-lih-POH-muh) A benign (noncancer) tumor of fat and muscle tissue that usually is found in the kidney.
angioplasty(AN-jee-oh-PLAS-tee) A procedure to enlarge the opening in a blood vessel that has become narrowed or blocked by plaque (a buildup of fat and cholesterol…
angiosarcoma(AN-jee-o-sar-KO-ma) A type of cancer that begins in the cells that line blood vessels or lymph vessels.
angiostatin(AN-jee-oh-STA-tin) A protein normally made by the body. It can also be made in the laboratory, and is being studied in the treatment of cancer.
angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitorA drug that is used to lower blood pressure. An angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor is a type of antihypertensive agent. Also called ACE inhibitor.
AngiozymeA substance that is being studied in the treatment of kidney cancer. It may prevent the growth of blood vessels from surrounding tissue to the tumor.
anhydrovinblastineAn anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called mitotic inhibitors.
anidulafunginA drug that is used to treat infections caused by fungi. It belongs to the family of drugs called antifungals.
animal modelAn animal with a disease either the same as or like a disease in humans. Animal models are used to study the development and progression of diseases and…
animal study(AN-ih-mul STUH-dee) A laboratory experiment using animals to study the development and progression of diseases.
animal-assisted therapy(A-nih-mul-uh-SIS-ted THAYR-uh-pee) A type of therapy that uses dogs or other pets to improve the physical and mental health of patients with certain…
ANLLA quickly progressing disease in which too many immature white blood cells (not lymphocytes) are found in the blood and bone marrow.
annamycinA substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called anthracycline antibiotics.
Annual Deductible CombinedUsually in Health Savings Account (HSA) eligible plans, the total amount that family members on a plan must pay out-of-pocket for health care or…
Annual LimitA cap on the benefits your insurance company will pay in a year while you're enrolled in a particular health insurance plan.
Annual Percent Change (APC)(APC)The average annual percent change over several years. The APC is used to measure trends or the change in rates over time.
Annual Report to the NationAn annual update of cancer death rates, incidence rates (new cases), and trends in the United States.
AnophelesA genus of mosquito, some species of which can transmit human malaria.
AnorexiaAn abnormal loss of the appetite for food. Anorexia can be caused by cancer, AIDS, a mental disorder (i.e., anorexia nervosa), or other diseases.
anorexia nervosaAn eating disorder marked by an intense fear of gaining weight, a refusal to maintain a healthy weight, and a distorted body image.
ANSThe part of the nervous system that controls muscles of internal organs (such as the heart, blood vessels, lungs, stomach, and intestines) and glands…
ansamycinAn anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called antineoplastic antibiotics.
antagonistIn medicine, a substance that stops the action or effect of another substance. For example, a drug that blocks the stimulating effect of estrogen on a…
anterior(an-TEER-ee-er) In human anatomy, has to do with the front of a structure, or a structure found toward the front of the body.
anterior mediastinotomy(an-TEER-ee-er MEE-dee-A-stih-NAH-toh-mee) A procedure in which a tube is inserted into the chest to view the tissues and organs in the area between the…
anterior mediastinumThe area in the front part of the chest between the lungs. Also called prevascular space.
anterior pelvic exenteration(an-TEER-ee-er PEL-vik ek-ZEN-ter-AY-shun) Surgery to remove the urethra, lower part of the ureters, uterus, cervix, vagina, and bladder.
anterior urethral cancer(an-TEER-ee-er yoo-REE-thrul KAN-ser) A disease in which malignant (cancer) cells are found in the part of the urethra (the tube through which urine…
anthracenedioneAn anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called anticancer antibiotics.
anthracycline(AN-thruh-SY-klin) A type of antibiotic that comes from certain types of Streptomyces bacteria. Anthracyclines are used to treat many types of cancer.
AnthropophilicDescribes mosquitoes that prefer to take blood meals from humans.
anti-CD19 immunotoxin(⦠IH-myoo-noh-TOK-sin) A monoclonal antibody linked to a toxic substance. It is being studied in the treatment of some types of B-cell cancer.
anti-CD22 immunotoxin(⦠IH-myoo-noh-TOK-sin) A monoclonal antibody linked to a toxic substance. It is being studied in the treatment of some types of B-cell cancer.
anti-CD45 monoclonal antibody(AN-tee ⦠MAH-noh-KLOH-nul AN-tih-BAH-dee) A monoclonal antibody being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
anti-CEA antibodyAn antibody against carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), a protein present on certain types of cancer cells.
anti-EpCAM-Pseudomonas-exotoxin fusion protein(...SOO-doh-MOH-nus-EK-soh-TOK-sin FYOO-zhun PROH-teen) A substance being studied in the treatment of certain types of head and neck cancer.
anti-idiotype vaccineA vaccine made of antibodies that see other antibodies as the antigen and bind to it.
anti-IL-6 chimeric monoclonal antibody(...ky-MEER-ik MAH-noh-KLOH-nul AN-tih-BAH-dee) A chimeric (made from human and mouse proteins) monoclonal antibody being studied in the treatment of…
anti-mesothelin monoclonal antibody MORAb-009(AN-tee-mez-oh-THEE-lin MAH-noh-KLOH-nul AN-tee-BAH-deeâ¦) A monoclonal antibody being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
anti-TGF-beta monoclonal antibody GC1008(... MAH-noh-KLOH-nul AN-tee-BAH-dee ...) A monoclonal antibody being studied in the treatment of kidney cancer, melanoma, and pulmonary fibrosis.
anti-VEGFR monoclonal antibody(AN-tee ⦠MAH-noh-KLOH-nul AN-tih-BAH-dee) A monoclonal antibody being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
antiandrogen(AN-tee-AN-droh-jen) A substance that prevents cells from making or using androgens (hormones that play a role in the formation of male sex…
antiandrogen therapy(AN-tee-AN-droh-jen THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment with drugs used to block production or interfere with the action of male sex hormones.
antiangiogenesis therapy(AN-tee-an-jee-oh-JEN-uh-sis THAIR-uh-pee): Using drugs or other treatments to stop new blood vessels from forming in tumors to try to limit tumor growth.
antiangiogenicHaving to do with reducing the growth of new blood vessels.
antiapoptoticSomething that prevents apoptosis. Apoptosis is a type of cell death in which a series of molecular steps in a cell leads to its death.
antibacterial(AN-tee-bak-TEER-ee-ul) A substance that kills bacteria or stops them from growing and causing disease.
AntibioticA drug used to treat infections caused by bacteria and other microorganisms. Atrial Fibrillation: A heart rhythm disorder (arrhythmia) that usually…