Proxinium(prok-SIH-nee-um) A substance being studied in the treatment of certain types of head and neck cancer.
pruritus(proo-RY-tus) Itching. Severe itching may be a side effect of some cancer treatments and a symptom of some types of cancers.
PS-341A drug used to treat multiple myeloma that has gotten worse during treatment with other anticancer drugs.
PSAA substance produced by the prostate. It may be found in higher levels in the blood of men who have prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia…
PSA bounceA brief rise and then fall in the blood level of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) that occurs in some patients 1-3 years after receiving radiation…
PSA failure(...FAYL-yer) A rise in the blood level of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) in prostate cancer patients after treatment with surgery or radiation.
psammoma body(sam-OH-muh BAH-dee) A structure found in some benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous) tumor cells.
PSC 833A substance that is being studied for its ability to prevent or overcome the resistance of tumor cells to some anticancer drugs.
Pseudogynecomastia(soo'-doh-guy'-neh-co-mast"-ee-uh) false gynecomastia; condition of fat distribution in men and boys that makes them appear as if they have breasts.
pseudomyxoma peritonei(SOO-doh-mix-OH-muh PAYR-ih-TOH-nee-I) A build-up of mucus in the peritoneal cavity.
psoralen(SOR-uh-len) A substance from plants that is sensitive to light (or can be activated by light).
psoralen and ultraviolet A therapy(SOR-uh-lenâ¦UL-truh-VY-oh-let A THAYR-uh-pee) A type of photodynamic therapy used to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis, vitiligo, and…
psoriasisA chronic disease of the skin marked by red patches covered with white scales.
psychiatrist(sy-KY-uh-trist) A medical doctor who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.
psychological(SY-koh-LAH-jih-kul) Having to do with how the mind works and how thoughts and feelings affect behavior.
psychologist(sy-KAH-loh-jist) A specialist who can talk with patients and their families about emotional and personal matters, and can help them make decisions.
psychosis(sy-KOH-sis) A severe mental disorder in which a person loses the ability to recognize reality or relate to others.
psychostimulant(SY-koh-STIM-yoo-lunt) A drug that causes a sense of well-being, decreases fatigue and depression, and increases the desire to eat.
PsychotherapeuticsDrugs that have an effect on the function of the brain and that often are used to treat psychiatric/neurologic disorders; includes opioids, CNS…
psychotherapy(SY-koh-THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment of mental, emotional, personality, and behavioral disorders using methods such as discussion, listening, and counseling.
psyllium(SIH-lee-um) A plant with seeds that are used as a mild laxative. The outer layer of the seeds swells when wet.
PT-100A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer, including certain types of lung, pancreas, and brain cancer.
PTCA procedure to x-ray the hepatic and common bile ducts. A contrasting agent is injected into the liver or bile duct, and the ducts are then x-rayed to…
PTCDA procedure to drain bile to relieve pressure in the bile ducts caused by a blockage.
PTHA substance made by the parathyroid gland that helps the body store and use calcium.
PTK787/ZK 222584A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the families of drugs called protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors and VEGF…
PTLDA condition in which a group of B-cells grow out of control after an organ transplant in patients with weakened immune systems.
PTSDAn anxiety disorder that develops in reaction to physical injury or severe mental or emotional distress, such as military combat, violent assault, natural…
puberty(PYOO-ber-tee) The time of life when a child experiences physical and hormonal changes that mark a transition into adulthood.
Public HealthA field that seeks to improve lives and the health of communities through the prevention and treatment of disease and the promotion of healthy behaviors…
Public Health Service (PHS)(PHS)An administrative entity of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
pulmonary(PUL-moh-nayr-ee) Having to do with the lungs.
pulmonary rehabilitation educationEducation about behavior and lifestyle changes to help patients with chronic lung disease decrease breathing problems, return to daily activities, and…
pulmonary sulcus tumor(PUL-muh-NAYR-ee SUL-kuss TOO-mer) A type of lung cancer that begins in the upper part of a lung and spreads to nearby tissues such as the ribs and…
pulmonologist(PUL-muh-NAH-loh-jist) A doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the lungs.
Pulmozyme(PUL-moh-zime) A drug given in an aerosol mist to decrease the thickness of mucus in the lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis.
Pulse RateThe number of times the heart beats per minute.
pumice stoneA special foot care tool used to gently file calluses as instructed by your health care team.
pump (pump)A device that is used to give a controlled amount of a liquid at a specific rate.
punch biopsy(... BY-op-see) Removal of a small disk-shaped sample of tissue using a sharp, hollow device. The tissue is then examined under a microscope.
pupil(PYOO-pil) The round opening in the center of the iris (the colored tissue that makes the "eye color" at the front of the eye).
Purinethol(PYUR-in-thall) A drug used to treat acute lymphatic leukemia. It belongs to the family of drugs called antimetabolites. Also called mercaptopurine.
purple cloverTrifolium pratense. A plant with flowers that has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems.
purple coneflower(...KONE-flow-er) An herb native to North America that has been used to prevent and treat the common cold and other respiratory infections.
PUVA therapy(...THAYR-uh-pee) A type of photodynamic therapy used to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis, vitiligo, and skin nodules of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
PV701A virus that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of viruses that cause Newcastle disease in birds.
PXD101A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. PXD101 blocks enzymes needed for cell division and may kill cancer cells.
pyrazoloacridineA substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called acridines.
PyrethroidA class of insecticides derived from the natural pyrethrins.
pyridoxine(PEER-ih-DOK-seen) A key nutrient that the body needs to break down proteins, carbohydrates, and fats in food for healthy blood, skin, and nerves.
pyroxamide(py-ROX-uh-mide) A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called histone deacetylase inhibitors.
Q10A substance found in most tissues in the body, and in many foods. It can also be made in the laboratory.
qi (chee)In traditional Chinese medicine, vital energy or life force that keeps a person's spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical health in balance.
qigong(chee-gong) A form of traditional Chinese mind/body exercise and meditation that uses slow and precise body movements with controlled breathing and mental…
QS21A substance from plants that is being studied together with vaccine therapy for its ability to improve the way the immune system responds to disease.
Quadramet(KWA-druh-met) A drug used to treat pain caused by bone cancer and other cancers that have spread to the bones. Quadramet is a type of radiopharmaceutical.
quadrantectomy(KWAD-ran-TEK-toh-mee) Surgical removal of the region of the breast (approximately one quarter) containing cancer.
Qualified Health PlanUnder the Affordable Care Act, starting in 2014, an insurance plan that is certified by the Health Insurance Marketplace, provides essential health…
Qualifying Life EventA change in your life that can make you eligible for a Special Enrollment Period to enroll in health coverage.
QualityThe degree to which a health or social service meets or exceeds established professional standards and user expectations.
Quality Assurance (QA)(QA)The process of identifying problems in service delivery, designing activities to overcome these problems, and following up to ensure that no new problems…
Quality Improvement (QI)(QI)Also called Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI). An ongoing process of monitoring and evaluating activities and outcomes in order to continuously improve…
Quality of LifeThe overall enjoyment of life. Many clinical trials assess the effects of cancer and its treatment on the quality of life.
quartile(KWOR-tyl): A term used in medical statistics to mean a group containing one-quarter or 25 percent of the total.
QuinineA drug used against malaria, obtained from the bark of the cinchona tree. Quinine is used for treatment but not prevention of malaria.
R-flurbiprofenA substance that is being studied as a treatment for cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
r-tPAA form of tissue plasminogen activator that is made in the laboratory. It helps dissolve blood clots and is used to treat heart attacks, strokes, and…
R101933A substance that is being studied for its ability to make cancer cells respond to drugs to which they have become resistant.
R115777A substance that is being studied in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and other types of cancer.
R1507A human monoclonal antibody being studied in the treatment of several types of cancer.
rabiesA disease of the nervous system caused by the rabies virus. Rabies is marked by an increase in saliva production, abnormal behavior, and eventual…
rAd/p53A substance that has been studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. rAd/p53 is a weakened adenovirus that carries the p53 gene into tumor cells…
Radiation(RAY-dee-AY-shun) Energy released in the form of particle or electromagnetic waves.
radiation brachytherapy(RAY-dee-AY-shun BRAY-kee-THAYR-uh-pee) A type of radiation therapy in which radioactive material sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or catheters is placed…
radiation dermatitis(RAY-dee-AY-shun DER-muh-TY-tis) A skin condition that is a common side effect of radiation therapy.
radiation enteritis(RAY-dee-AY-shun EN-tuh-RY-tis) Inflammation of the small intestine caused by radiation therapy to the abdomen, pelvis, or rectum.
radiation fibrosis(RAY-dee-AY-shun fy-BROH-sis) The formation of scar tissue as a result of radiation therapy.
radiation necrosis(RAY-dee-AY-shun neh-KROH-sis) The death of healthy tissue caused by radiation therapy.
radiation nurseA health professional who specializes in caring for people who are receiving radiation therapy.
Radiation Oncologist(RAY-dee-AY-shun on-KAH-loh-jist) A doctor who specializes in using radiation to treat cancer.
radiation physicistA person who makes sure that the radiation machine delivers the right amount of radiation to the correct site in the body.
radiation surgery(RAY-dee-AY-shun SER-juh-ree) A type of external radiation therapy that uses special equipment to position the patient and precisely give a single large…
Radiation Therapy(RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee) The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, protons, and other sources to kill cancer cells and…
Radical cure(also: radical treatment) Complete elimination of malaria parasites from the body; the term applies specifically to elimination of dormant liver stage…
radical cystectomy(RA-dih-kul sis-TEK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove all of the bladder (the organ that holds urine) as well as nearby tissues and organs.
radical hysterectomy(RA-dih-kul HIS-teh-REK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove the uterus, cervix, and part of the vagina.
radical local excision(RA-dih-kul LOH-kul ek-SIH-zhun) Surgery to remove a tumor and a large amount of normal tissue surrounding it. Nearby lymph nodes may also be removed.
radical lymph node dissectionA surgical procedure to remove most or all of the lymph nodes that drain lymph from the area around a tumor.
radical mastectomy(RA-dih-kul ma-STEK-toh-mee) Surgery for breast cancer in which the breast, chest muscles, and all of the lymph nodes under the arm are removed.
radical nephrectomy(RA-dih-kul neh-FREK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove an entire kidney, nearby adrenal gland and lymph nodes, and other surrounding tissue.
radical perineal prostatectomy(RA-dih-kul PAYR-ih-NEE-ul PROS-tuh-TEK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove all of the prostate through an incision between the scrotum and the anus.
radical prostatectomy(RA-dih-kul PROS-tuh-TEK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove the entire prostate. The two types of radical prostatectomy are retropubic prostatectomy (surgery…
radical retropubic prostatectomy(RA-dih-kul reh-troh-PYOO-bik PROS-tuh-TEK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove all of the prostate and nearby lymph nodes through an incision in the wall of the…
radical vulvectomy(RA-dih-kul vul-VEK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove the entire vulva (the external female genital organs, including the clitoris, vaginal lips, and the opening…
radioactive(RAY-dee-oh-AK-tiv) Giving off radiation.
radioactive drug(RAY-dee-oh-AK-tiv...) A drug containing a radioactive substance that is used in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and in pain management of bone…